Agenda packet — Carpinteria City Council, July 15, 2025 (part 1 of 3)

City of Carpinteria
Special City Council Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Council Chamber, 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 5:30 p.m. Special Meeting
In-Person and Virtual Participation Options
Attendance/Viewing Options:
• Attend the in-person meeting in City Council Chambers at City Hall (5775 Carpinteria Ave.).
• View the meeting live through the City’s website (https://carpinteriaca.gov/cityhall/agendas-meetings/). • View the meeting on Government Access Television Channel 21 (broadcast live and rebroadcast on the Wednesday and the Saturday following the meeting at 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., respectively).
• Call 669-900-9128 (and enter Webinar ID 849 5178 9727) to listen to the meeting. • Join the City’s Zoom webinar by CLICKING HERE. Alternatively, you can join the Zoom webinar by logging on to www.zoom.us, downloading the application, selecting “Join Meeting”, and entering Webinar ID 849 5178 9727.
• Spanish interpretation will be available at the in-person meeting and through the City’s Zoom webinar.

Public Comments
• Provide a live public comment in City Council Chambers at City Hall (5775 Carpinteria Ave.).
• Provide a live comment through the City’s Zoom webinar platform (through the link provided above). To make public comments through this platform please use the “raise your hand” feature to notify staff that you would like to make a public comment during designated public comment times. Once it is your turn to provide a public comment, staff will unmute your microphone and you will be given a designated amount of time to provide your comment. At the end of your comment, staff will once again mute your microphone.
• Submit a written comment (as either a general public comment or on a specific agenda item) to be distributed to Council Members by 12:00 P.M. on the day of the meeting by either submitting your comment via (1) email to [email protected], or (2) the eComment link on the City's agenda website available at https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/agendas-meetings/. Please reference the agenda item to which your comment pertains. Although written comments become part of the record, they will not be read aloud at the meeting.

City Council Special Meeting Agenda
July 15, 2025

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Please note that the City will make every effort to make the meeting accessible virtually; however, if one of the above virtual attendance/viewing or public comment options is unavailable due to technological issues, you are invited to take advantage of one of the other participation options outlined above (including attending and providing public comment inperson in the City Council Chambers). Additional options may be made available at the meeting.

Levine Act Warning
Applicants and their agents before the City Council are subject to the campaign disclosure provisions detailed in Government Code Section 84308. No City Council Member may accept, solicit, or direct a contribution of more than $500 from any party for 12 months following the date a final decision is rendered by the City. No City Council Member may accept, solicit, or direct any contribution from an agent of the party during the same time frame. This prohibition commences when an item involving the entitlement has been placed on the City Council’s agenda for a public meeting, when the City Council Members knows the action is within the City Council’s jurisdiction and it is reasonably foreseeable that it will come before the City Council as a decisionmaker, or when the proceeding is before the City Council for its decision. A party to a City proceeding —which includes both applicants and agents—shall disclose on the record of the proceeding any contribution of more than $500 made to any Council Member by the applicant, or any donations made by the agent, during the preceding 12 months. No party to a City proceeding, or agent, shall make a contribution to a Council Member during the proceeding and for 12 months following the date a final decision is rendered by the City. Prior to rendering a decision on a City proceeding, any Council Member who received contribution of more than $500 within the preceding 12 months from any party, or who received any donations from an agent, to a proceeding shall disclose that fact on the record of the proceeding, and shall be disqualified from participating in the proceeding. However, if any Council Member receives a contribution that otherwise would require disqualification, and returns the contribution within 30 days of knowing about the contribution and the relevant proceeding, the Council Member shall be permitted to participate in the proceeding. If you believe that these provisions apply to you or a Council Member, please inform the City Clerk at the earliest possible opportunity. Failure to do so may affect the City’s ability to process your application.

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PUBLIC COMMENT WILL ONLY BE HEARD CONCERNING THE AGENDIZED ITEM BELOW
PUBLIC HEARING:

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July 15, 2025

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1. Consideration of an appeal (filed by Frank Arredondo on May 15, 2025) of the Planning Commission’s decision to accept and certify an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), select the “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” as the preferred Project, and approve the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit (21-2128-DP/CDP) for the proposed Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities Decommissioning and Remediation project (collectively, “Planning Commission Action”).

Recommendation: Consider the filed appeal at a public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 6415 (Attachment A) thereby denying the appeal, and upholding the Planning Commission’s Action.

Staff Presenter: Nick Bobroff, Community Development Director a. Ex-parte Communication Disclosures
b. Staff Report
c. City Council Questions
d. Open Public Hearing
a. Applicant/Appellant
b. Public
c. Applicant/Appellant Response
e. Close Public Hearing
f. City Council Deliberation
g. City Council Determination – Announce Motion and Vote

ADJOURNMENT
The next regular City Council meeting will be held July 28, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at (805) 755-4403 or the California Relay Service at (866) 735-2929. Notification two business days prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements for accessibility to this meeting.

Materials related to an agenda item submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public review at the City Clerk's Office, located at 5775 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 or by going to the City’s website at https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/agendas-meetings/.

This agenda was posted on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in the City Clerk's Office, on the City Hall Public Notices Board, and on the Internet.

City of Carpinteria

COUNCIL AGENDA STAFF REPORT
July 15, 2025

ITEM FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Consideration of an appeal (filed by Frank Arredondo on May 15, 2025) of the Planning Commission’s decision to accept and certify an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), select the “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” as the preferred Project, and approve the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit (21-2128-DP/CDP) for the proposed Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities Decommissioning and Remediation project (collectively, “Planning Commission Action”).

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Consider the filed appeal at a public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 6415 (Attachment A) thereby denying the appeal, and upholding the Planning Commission’s Action.

Sample Motion: I move to adopt Resolution No. 6415 to deny the appeal, accept and certify the EIR, select the “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” as the preferred Project, and approve the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit (21-2128-DP/CDP) for the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project.

BACKGROUND
The Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facility (Facility) is located in the City of Carpinteria, and is accessed from Dump Road off Carpinteria Avenue. The Facility encompasses several parcels totaling approximately 55 acres. The project site encompasses both the Facility and portions of the Tar Pits Park and City-owned submerged tidelands that are crossed by pipelines and other utilities that feed into the Facility.

Oil and gas processing equipment was initially constructed onsite in the 1950s to support production from the offshore Summerland field developed by the Standard, Humble, and Summerland State joint venture. Oil and gas first flowed through the Site in 1959 after the commissioning of offshore Platform Hazel. Produced gas that flowed to the Site from Platform Hazel, and later other offshore platforms, was processed onsite and then sold Agenda Section: Public Hearing
Agenda Item No.: 1
City Council Meeting Date: July 15, 2025
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to Southern California Gas Company via the Sales Gas Area (pipes, valves, meters, and equipment), which was also constructed in the late 1950s.

The Facility consisted of offices; production pipelines from offshore platforms; and a connected system of product separation, processing, and storage facilities. Processed natural gas from the Facility was fed into the SoCalGas network. Processed crude oil and natural gasoline were blended and shipped from the Facility by way of pipeline to Ventura, where it was piped to refineries in the Los Angeles area. Historically, refined products and crude oil were also transferred from the Facility via marine tanker. However, the marine terminal, formerly accessed by an offshore mooring, is no longer operational.

From 1960 to 1989, the Facility received oil and gas from Platform Hazel as well as several other offshore platforms constructed in the Santa Barbara Channel, including Hilda, Hope, and Heidi, and Gail and Grace. Upgrades and additions to the Facility were completed to accommodate the varied quality of the additional oil and gas volume.

Abandonment of the wells and decommissioning/removal of offshore Platforms Hazel, Hilda, Hope, and Heidi from the Santa Barbara Channel were completed in 1996. The Applicant sold its Santa Barbara Channel assets to Venoco, Inc. in 1998. Platform Grace ceased operations in 1998 and Platform Gail in 2017. Chevron purchased the property as part of Venoco bankruptcy proceedings and is the operator of record and applicant for the decommissioning Project.

Project Description Summary
The project proposes to demolish and remove the Facility including, but not limited to, the onshore portions of the Facility (Onshore Facility), and State Waters Offshore Pipelines, and complete remediation of impacted soils and groundwater at the Facility (collectively, the Project). Remediation is proposed to comply with levels established in a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) that will be reviewed by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Services (SBCEHS), Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The Project proposal assumes the most stringent clean up levels for the purpose of determining soil excavation and truck trip estimates and therefore a maximum amount of remediation activities (e.g., truck trips, Site activities). The Applicant states remediation efforts will be performed along with preservation of existing Site resources, including mature trees and bluffs, and in coordination with Site constraints including buffer zones adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right-of-way (ROW). The most stringent clean up levels would also result in greater flexibility for future development on the Site meeting the most rigorous standards (e.g., unrestricted land use).

Decommissioning and remediation of the Facility will include the following activities:

Onshore Facility
Idling and removal of all existing surface and subsurface equipment, piping, and structures within the Facility;
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Removal of concrete foundations, asphalt, oil spray, and road base within the Facility;
Excavation/remediation of any impacted soils underlying the Facility in accordance with the Facility’s Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and RAP Addendums, and appropriate regulatory guidance (once approved);
Recycling/disposal of all materials removed from the Site; and Restoration of portions of the Site in accordance with the Site Restoration Plan (once approved).

Beach Crossing and State Waters Offshore Pipelines
Pig and flush State Waters Offshore Pipelines in preparation for removal; Removal of State Waters Offshore Pipeline segments out to 3-nmi state waters limit;
Removal of nearshore beach crossing pipeline segments;
Recycling/disposal of all materials removed from the Site; and Onshore restoration in accordance with the Site Restoration Plan (once approved).

The Site includes the Facility, as well as the State Waters Offshore Pipelines and utilities leading into the Site from state waters, as further described below. Within the onshore portion of the Site, a number of operational areas/plant areas have been identified that contain idle structures, vessels, and piping proposed for demolition and remediation. The state waters offshore portion of the Site contains two primary pipeline and utility bundles that come to shore and lead into the Onshore Facility. Proposed activities within each area are listed below.

Onshore Facilities and Proposed Activities
Main Plant Area (MPA) – Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation;
Chevron Pipeline Area (CPA) – Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation;
Former Marketing Terminal Area (FMTA) – Surface facilities demolition and soil remediation;
Former Nursery Area (FNA) – Vacant. No activities proposed. Previously remediated to acceptable cleanup levels;
Shop and Maintenance Area – Surface and subsurface facilities demolition and soil remediation;
Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) Lease Area – Surface facilities demolition and soil remediation;
Peninsula Area – Soil remediation in coordination with SoCalGas facility demolition and City of Carpinteria skate park development;
Buffer Zone Area (BZA)/Drainage Area No. 4 (DA4) – Vacant. No activities proposed. Previously remediated to acceptable cleanup levels; and Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project Appeal Consideration July 15, 2025

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Gravel Portion of Pier Parking Lot/FSBA – Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation/subsurface pipeline removal/abandonment in place.

State Waters Offshore Pipelines and Proposed Activities Platform Gail and Grace Pipeline Bundle and 10-inch Oil Pipeline – Removal from top of bluff to 3-nautical miles (nmi) state waters limit; and Marketing and Marine Terminal Pipeline Bundles – Removal offshore through top of bluff. Onshore pipelines will be abandoned in-place.

The Project is subject to analysis pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15367, the City is the Lead Agency with principal responsibility for considering the Project for approval (14 California Code of Regulations [CCR] (CEQA Guidelines) 15000 et seq.).

A more complete Project Description is included in Section 2, Project Description, of the Final EIR included as Attachment G to this Report.

Environmental Impact Report Summary
Pursuant to CEQA, the City is acting as the lead agency in accordance with CEQA Guidelines1 Sections 15050-15051 and is responsible for preparing the environmental document for the Project. The purpose of the CEQA analysis is to determine whether the proposed project may have significant effects on the environment, to identify possible mitigation measures to reduce the severity of any significant effects, and to disclose the findings of this analysis to the public and decision makers. The prepared EIR for the City Council’s consideration provides the factual basis for finding that the project will not have a significant effect on the environment with the inclusion of the identified mitigation measures.

The Final EIR identified Class I (e.g., significant, unavoidable) impacts associated with the project in the following categories: Biological Resources, Hazardous Materials & Risk of Upset, and Hydrology & Water Resources. The report identified Class II impacts (e.g., significant, but feasibly mitigated) in the following categories: Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology and Soils, Climate Change & Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Hazardous Materials & Risk of Upset, Noise & Vibration, and Tribal Cultural Resources. With the incorporation of identified mitigation measures, all of these impacts would be reduced to a less than significant level. Class III (less than significant) impacts were also identified for Aesthetics, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Geology and Soils, Hazardous Materials & Risk of Upset, Hydrology and Water Resources, Land Use & Planning, Noise & Vibration, Transportation & Circulation, and Other. 1
References to the CEQA Guidelines in this Staff Report and attachments refer to Sections 15000 et seq of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.

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In addition to disclosing the potential environmental effects of the Project, the EIR also evaluated three potential project alternatives which were identified as potentially meeting all or most project objectives to determine if any of these alternatives could further reduce the significance of identified potentially significant environmental effects. The three evaluated project alternatives were:

Alternative 1. “No Project” Alternative, which would maintain the existing conditions;
Alternative 2. “Full Removal of Facilities” Alternative, which would decommission all oil and gas facilities within the property and all related offshore facilities that can be addressed including plugging and abandonment of the seven wells that exist within the Site; removal and remediation of naturally occurring petroleum hydrocarbons; and removal of former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle; and
Alternative 3. “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal” Alternative, which is a revised version of the Full Removal of Facilities Alternative (Alternative 2), but does not include removal and remediation of naturally occurring hydrocarbon seeps, plugging and abandonment of seven existing wells within the Site, or removal of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle further from shore, beyond a depth of 30 feet of water.

Alternative 3, “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative,” was identified in the EIR as the environmentally superior alternative. It would achieve the basic objectives of the Project by accomplishing the components of the original Proposed Project. In addition, removing the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle through the bluffs would prevent future erosion and avoid the pipelines becoming a burden on the public if removal is necessary in the future, as noted by the California Coastal Commission. (California Coastal Commission letter, 1/31/2024).

The Executive Summary of the Final EIR and a link to the full Final EIR are provided as part of Attachment G.

Planning Commission Action
On May 5, 2025, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider acceptance and certification of the EIR for the Project, approval of the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit for onshore oil and gas facilities removals and remediation, and approval of Facility Decommissioning Plan within City Deeded Tidelands and Issuance of a Lease Quit Claim. As noted above, a copy of the Planning Commission staff report and attachments are included with this report as Attachment B.2 2 Please see the Planning Commission staff report (Attachment B) for a detailed project description, accounting of the project’s permit review history up to Planning Commission review, and zoning/policy Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project Appeal Consideration July 15, 2025

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At the May 5th hearing, the Planning Commission received public comment on the project which predominately focused on two main issues: (1) Potential impacts of decommissioning activities on the harbor seal haulout and rookery; and (2) The alleged issues with the EIR’s Cultural Resources analysis that are raised in this Appeal. This second issue is the subject of this appeal and will be addressed in more detail in the Discussion section of this staff report.

With regards to the potential harbor seal impacts, the public expressed concerns about the EIR’s proposed plan for monitoring the seals and the potential disturbances from having humans and construction equipment in close proximity to the haulout/rookery. At the hearing, City staff clarified that the seal mitigation measures would be implemented during any project activities within 1,000’ of the seal haul out area, and that the monitoring plan mandates coordination with Carpinteria Seal Watch, local volunteers trained in monitoring the harbor seals. Staff also explained the limited extent of truck trips nearby the rookery. Finally, staff referred interested persons to EIR Appendix C-6, which contains a preliminary draft version of the Harbor Seal Rookery Monitoring and Protection Plan (HSRMPP). The contents of the HSRMPP must still be reviewed and approved by the various regulatory agencies with authority over the harbor seals, including but not limited to, the California Coastal Commission and the City. Nevertheless, the HSRMPP provides additional details on the types of potential impacts to seals that could occur and the minimization efforts implemented by the project to avoid or reduce those impacts.

Importantly, several of the concerns explicitly raised by public commenters are addressed in the draft HSRMPP, including required coordination with National Marine Fisheries Service staff and with Carpinteria Seal Watch. Importantly, the final contents of the HSRMPP are subject to City review and approval, and the City can require revisions or additional measures needed. Through this existing review authority, the City can ensure the project is as protective of the harbor seals as is reasonably feasible while allowing the necessary project activities to be completed.

Ultimately, the Planning Commission voted 4-0-1 (Chair Allen abstained due to conflict of interest arising out of the proximity of his home to the Site) to accept and certify the project EIR, selecting the “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” (Alternative 3) as the preferred project, and to approve the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit (#21-2128-DP/CDP), as presented. A copy of the Planning Commission Action Letter and adopted Resolution are included with this report as Attachment C. Minutes from the May 5, 2025 Planning Commission hearing were not available as of the publication date of this report, however, a video recording of the hearing is archived and available for viewing on the City’s website.3 Public comment letters submitted to the Planning Commission are included as Attachment D to this report. consistency analysis. Attachments to the Planning Commission staff report include both the Draft and Proposed Final EIRs.
3 The May 5, 2025 Planning Commission agenda and staff report, and a video recording of the hearing are archived on the City website and available for viewing at: https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/agendasmeetings/ Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project Appeal Consideration July 15, 2025

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The Planning Commission’s decision to certify the EIR and approve the project was subject to a 10-calendar day appeal period. Prior to the end of the 10-calendar day appeal period, on May 15th, Frank Arredondo filed an appeal with the City Clerk. A copy of the appeal is included as Attachment E to this report.

City Council Appeal Process
CMC section 14.78.040 provides that the decisions of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council by persons or entities that appeared, either in person or in writing before the Planning Commission, or by an “aggrieved person” as that term is defined in CMC section 14.08. The appellant must state specifically in the appeal wherein the decision of the Planning Commission is not in accord with the purposes of the City’s Zoning Code, or wherein it is claimed that there was an error of discretion by the Planning Commission. (CMC § 14.78.040(3).)
A copy of the Planning Commission report, and all attachments, is to be provided to the Council. The Council’s consideration of any appeal is considered de novo, which means that the Council may consider all aspects of the project and is not limited to consideration of only the grounds stated in the appeal(s).

Pursuant to CMC section 14.78.040(5), because this Project is subject to the Coastal Appeals (“CA”) Overlay district and is appealable to the California Coastal Commission (“CCC”), the City Council must consider the appeal(s) at a public hearing, and approve, conditionally approve, or deny the appeal(s). Approving or conditionally approving the appeal results in a reversal or modification of the Planning Commission’s decision to accept and certify the Proposed Final EIR and to approve the project. Whereas, denying the appeal affirms the Planning Commission’s decision to accept and certify the Proposed Final EIR as having: (1) adequately and accurately described and disclosed all potential project impacts; (2) satisfactorily reduced all identified potentially significant environmental effects to less than significant levels through the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures; and (3) satisfied the procedural and statutory requirements of CEQA; along with the approval of the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit for the project. In the event the Council were to act to approve or conditionally approve the appeal in order to reject or modify the EIR, the Council would need to also select the preferred project from amongst the proposed project or project alternatives. Alternatively, the City Council can deny the appeal and affirm the Planning Commission’s selection of a preferred project.

Notice of the time and place of said hearing shall be given at least ten (10) calendar days before the hearing. Consistent with this requirement, the City noticed the public hearing for the City Council to consider the appeal on July 3, 2025 through: (1) publication in the Coastal View News; (2) mailed notice to property owners within 300 feet and occupants within 100 feet of the project location; and (3) direct email correspondence to interested parties.

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DISCUSSION
Summary Analysis of Appeals
The City Clerk received one appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision. The appeal raised the following two issues:

1. Misidentification of Procedure as Mitigation Measure. The appellant argues that the cultural resources mitigation measures included within the Final EIR are required procedures and thus mischaracterized as mitigation. According to the appellant, these mitigation measures are more accurately characterized as parts of the CEQA monitoring and reporting process. Therefore, it would be incorrect to credit the EIR with a mitigation measure that is already procedurally required. Mr.

Arredondo claims this is an error in discretion.

2. Identification of Organizations for Native American Monitoring Work. The appellant argues that the Final EIR requires that all cultural resource monitors be members of a federally recognized Santa Ynez Chumash tribe. Mr. Arredondo continues on in the appeal to argue that it is inappropriate for the Final EIR to include details about who will conduct a specific job within a proposed project.

Instead, the lead agency should approve work through other authorizations separate from the CEQA process. Mr. Arredondo claims this is also an error in discretion.

Below are staff’s responses to each of the appeal arguments described above.

Appeal Issue No. 1: Misidentification of Procedure as Mitigation Measure Pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines, “public agencies should, whenever feasible, seek to avoid damaging effects on any historical resource of an archaeological nature.” (14 CCR § 15126.4(b)(3).) If, however, the project will result in potentially significant impacts, CEQA requires that an EIR “describe feasible measures which could minimize significant adverse impacts.” (14 CCR § 15126.4(a)(1).)
The decommissioning project’s Final EIR lists mitigation measures for minimizing the impact to archaeological sites under Cul.1(a)-(f) and Cul.2(a)-(b). The appeal does not specify which mitigation measures are misidentified. However, in Mr. Arredondo’s May 5, 2025, comment letter to the Planning Commission, he asserts that ten of the eleven elements of the Cultural Resources Management Plan (CRMP), Cul.1a, are required procedures and not mitigation measures. (Attachment E.) The letter makes the same claim for at least six other measures. (Id.)
However, compliance with regulatory standards and requirements can properly be classified as mitigation. Numerous courts have upheld compliance with regulatory standards as adequate mitigation measures. (Oakland Heritage Alliance v. City of Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project Appeal Consideration July 15, 2025

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Oakland (2011) 195 CA4th 884, 906; King & Gardiner Farms, LLC v. County of Kern (2020) 45 CA5th 814, 860; Leonoff v. Monterey County Bd. of Supervisors (1990) 222 CA3d 1337, 1355.) In Oakland Heritage Alliance, for instance, the First District Court of Appeal explained that “a condition requiring compliance with regulations is a common and reasonable mitigation measure and may be proper where it is reasonable to expect compliance.” (Oakland Heritage Alliance, at p. 906). In the appeal, Mr. Arredondo has not offered any evidence to suggest that it would be unreasonable to expect compliance from Chevron or any other party. Therefore, the cultural resources mitigation measures satisfy CEQA requirements, and the Planning Commission did not commit an error of discretion.

Additionally, it is the City’s pattern and practice to include regulatory measures as mitigation when they would reduce an identified impact, as doing so helps to ensure the measures are complied with. Even within other sections of the EIR, the City includes compliance with regulatory requirements as mitigation. For instance, measure Bio.1a provides that “[p]rior to commencement of any construction or decommissioning activities, the Applicant shall obtain compliance with the USFWS, NOAA Fisheries, and CDFW for components of the Project that have the potential to directly or indirectly impact federal or state-listed terrestrial or marine plant and animal species in the form of take permits/authorizations or written documentation from the USFWS, NOAA Fisheries, and CDFW that the proposed Project would not result in take of these species, or would not otherwise adversely affect these species.” Accordingly, categorizing the cultural resource monitoring requirements as mitigation is consistent with the City’s past pattern and practices and with the rest of the EIR.

In his May 5th letter, Mr. Arredondo also appears to argue that these measures do not qualify as mitigation measures because they are not designed to ensure “preservation in place” or “data recovery” as required in CEQA Guidelines Sections 15126.4(b)(3).

However, the EIR does include measures aimed at “preservation in place” and “data recovery.” The Cultural Resources mitigation measures are a suite of measures that are intended to work together to address potential impacts to cultural resources. For instance, Cul.1a includes specifications for the CRMP to document procedures to “ensure avoidance or minimization of impacts to cultural resources.” Each of the elements set forth in Cul.1a, as well as measures Cul.1b and Cul.1c, are necessary elements for preservation and data recovery––e.g., monitoring and creation of maps to determine where resources may exist, procedures for halting work to avoid impacts to resources, worker training to ensure preservation and data recovery procedures are correctly implemented, etc. Mitigation measure Cul.1d provides for an exclusion zone to ensure that, to the extent feasible, cultural resources will be preserved in place. Similarly, Mitigation measure Cul.1e calls for data recovery of CA-SBA-6, the relevant archaeological site, prior to ground disturbance. Accordingly, these measures all work together to address and reduce the potential for significant effects to cultural resources.

The procedural/regulatory requirements (e.g., monitoring, creation of maps, establishment of procedures, etc.) work hand-in-hand with the avoidance/exclusion measures (e.g., establishment of exclusion zones, requirements for halting work, etc.).

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Accordingly, the measures set forth in the EIR are properly characterized as mitigation measures and the EIR “considered and discussed” measures to preserve resources and engage in data recovery as required by the CEQA Guidelines.

Finally, it is worth noting that Mr. Arredondo does not allege that the project will result in a significant and unavoidable impact. Additionally, the appeal does not include any recommendations for mitigation measures to reduce the potential impacts to cultural resources.

Appeal Issue No. 2: Identification of Organizations for Native American Monitoring Work As Mr. Arredondo correctly identifies, the purpose of an EIR is to identify the significant effects of a project on the environment, identify potential alternatives, and indicate ways to mitigate significant effects. (Pub. Resources Code § 21001.1.) However, Mr. Arredondo misstates the final EIR when he claims that the report specifies that only the Sanya Ynez Chumash will perform the cultural monitoring work. Instead, mitigation measure Cul.1c states that “the monitoring shall be conducted under the supervision of a Countyapproved archaeologist and a Native American representative with minimum [professional quality standards] set forth by the [Secretary of the Interior].” This broad language does not designate any Tribe to perform the monitoring work.

Instead, Mr. Arredondo cites a request from a Tribe made during the Assembly Bill (AB) 52 consultation process. AB 52 requires public agencies to consult with Tribes to identify concerns within the CEQA process. (Assembly Bill No. 52 (2013-2014 Reg. Sess.)) During the AB 52 consultation for this project, one Tribe requested “the entire Project to be monitored by Chumash Tribal representatives.” (Final EIR p. 4.12-2.) The final EIR contains this language to document the request, not to mandate a mitigation measure.

As noted above, the mitigation measure is written broadly and does not indicate that any specific Tribe will perform the work. Mr. Arredondo also points to this language as a source of potential cronyism, nepotism, or affinity bias in selecting the representative.

However, these allegations are unfounded as the final EIR sets no limitations on selecting the Native American representative.

In addition, the CRMP, which is being shared with the consent of the Advising Tribes4 requires only that “Chevron shall also retain a Tribal Monitor that is an authorized representative of each of the Advising Tribes to monitor all ground disturbance in Project excavation areas.” (Attachment F, Chevron Response to Appeal.) Similar to mitigation measure Cul.1c, the excerpt sets forth broad standards––requiring only that the representative be authorized by one of the Advising Tribes. Additionally, contrary to Mr.

Arredondo’s claims, the EIR and CRMP do not contain a requirement that the authorized monitor be a member of one of the Advising Tribes. Thus, the cultural monitor can be freely chosen outside of the CEQA process.
4 The Advising Tribes include the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians, and Barbareño Band of Chumash Indians.

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For the reasons explained above, staff believes the filed appeal does not demonstrate that the decision of the Planning Commission was not in accord with the purposes of the City’s Zoning Code or that there was an error of discretion by the Planning Commission. (CMC § 14.78.040(3).) Therefore, staff recommends the Council deny the appeal, thereby upholding the Planning Commission’s Action.

OPTIONS
The Council can:

Decide to deny the appeal, thereby affirming the Planning Commission’s Action (staff’s recommendation); or
Decide to approve the appeal, thereby overturning the Planning Commission’s Action; or
Decide to conditionally approve the appeal, thereby modifying the Planning Commission’s Action.

ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution No. 6415
Exhibit 1: Findings for Project Approval
Exhibit 2: Proposed Plans
Exhibit 3: Recommended Conditions of Approval
Attachment B: May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Staff Report and Attachments Attachment C: Planning Commission Action Letter and Adopted Resolution Attachment D: Public Comment Letters submitted to Planning Commission Attachment E: Appeal Filed by Frank Arredondo
Attachment F: Chevron Response to Appeal
Attachment G: Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Staff contact: Nick Bobroff, Director
Community Development Department
(805) 755-4407 / [email protected]
Signature
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project Appeal Consideration July 15, 2025

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Reviewed by: Michael Ramirez, City Manager
(805) 755-4400 / [email protected] Signature

RESOLUTION NO. 6415

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF

CARPINTERIA, DENYING AN APPEAL (FILED BY FRANK
ARREDONDO, DATED MAY 15, 2025), AND UPHOLDING THE CITY
OF CARPINTERIA PLANNING COMMISSION’S DECISION TO
APPROVE PROJECT 21-2128-DP/CDP (APPLICATION FILED
OCTOBER 25, 2021 BY CHEVRON WEST COAST

DECOMMISSIONING PROGRAM, APPLICANT) FOR A

DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT TO

ALLOW FOR ONSHORE OIL AND GAS FACILITIES
DECOMMISSIONING AND REMEDIATION; APPROVAL OF A

FACILITY DECOMMISSIONING PLAN WITHIN CITY-DEEDED
TIDELANDS AND ISSUANCE OF A LEASE QUIT CLAIM; AND

APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT (EIR) (STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NO. 2022080026)

PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
(CEQA). THE PROJECT APPLICATION INVOLVES APNs 001-170-003, 004, 014, 020, 021, 022, 023, ADDRESSED AS 5619, 5663, 5675 AND 5731 CARPINTERIA AVENUE, CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA 93013.

WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Carpinteria considered an application for a Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit filed by Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program on October 25, 2021; and WHEREAS, the application was subsequently deemed complete and accepted by the City as being consistent with the applicable submittal requirements on March 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission conducted a noticed public hearing on May 5, 2025, and received evidence regarding the application for the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) dated April 2025 has been prepared for the project and has been noticed and subject to public review as required under CEQA; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission reviewed the policies of the General Plan/Coastal Plan and the Zoning Code standards that are relevant to the project; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. PC-25-001, thereby having adopted and certified the Final Environmental Impact Report dated April 2025 prepared for the project, as amended (tables 5.2 and ES.3), as having satisfied the procedural and statutory requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act Resolution No. 6415

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(CEQA); and approved the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit for the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative Project; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission Action was subject to a 10-calendar day local appeal period, commencing on May 6, 2025 and concluding on May 15, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.; and
WHEREAS, prior to the close of the appeal period, a timely appeal was filed by Frank Arredondo, dated May 15, 2025, alleging that there was an error of discretion by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, the appeal was considered at a duly noticed public hearing held before the Carpinteria City Council to consider the appeal; and WHEREAS, all Planning Commission staff report materials, including but not limited to, a statement of findings setting forth the reasons for the Planning Commission’s decision were transmitted to the City Council; and WHEREAS, the Carpinteria City Council reviewed and considered all pertinent staff reports, materials, and evidence before them, including all public comments; and WHEREAS, the Carpinteria City Council reviewed and considered the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), dated April 2025, prepared for the project pursuant to CEQA.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:

SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct, and incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The Carpinteria City Council hereby resolves that the appeal filed by Frank Arredondo is denied, thereby upholding the Planning Commission Action to certify the Environmental Impact Report prepared for the project (as amended); select the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative Project; and approve the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit for the Project.

SECTION 3. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) dated April 2025 prepared for the Project, as amended (tables 5.2 and ES.3), has been reviewed by the City, reflects the City’s independent judgment and analysis, and is certified as having satisfied the procedural and statutory requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

SECTION 4. The Development Plan/Coastal Development Permit is approved for the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative Project making the findings outlined in Exhibit 1.

Resolution No. 6415

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SECTION 5. The Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit is approved for the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative Project consistent with the plans shown in Exhibit 2 and subject to the project conditions of approval set forth in Exhibit 3.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED on the 15th day of July, 2025, by the following vote:

AYES: COUNCILMEMBER(S):

NOES: COUNCILMEMBER(S):

ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER(S):

ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBER(S):
________________________
Mayor, City of Carpinteria
ATTEST:
______________________________ Brian C. Barrett, CMC, CPMC City Clerk, City of Carpinteria
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted at a special meeting of the City Council of the City of Carpinteria held on July 15, 2025. ______________________________
Brian C. Barrett, CMC, CPMC
City Clerk, City of Carpinteria
APPROVED AS TO FORM: __________________________________ Jena Shoaf Acos, on behalf of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP acting as
City Attorney of the City of Carpinteria

EXHIBIT 1: FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
PROJECT NO. 21-2128-DP/CDP
JULY 15, 2025
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project

FINDINGS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE, LOCAL COASTAL PLAN, GENERAL PLAN, AND TITLE 14 OF THE CARPINTERIA MUNICIPAL CODE

1.0 Administrative Findings
The City Council hereby incorporates by reference as though set forth in full all Community Development Department staff reports and attachments thereto presented to the Planning Commission and City Council, and all comments made or received either orally or in writing at the public hearings on this project and the associated Environmental Impact Report.

Said application and all related material have been available for public review at City offices since the date of submittal.
b. The application has been evaluated and found to conform to the applicable zone districts and to be consistent with the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan, the Interpretive Guidelines of the California Coastal Commission and the California Coastal Act.
c. The project has been reviewed by the City’s Planning Commission at a duly noticed public hearing which included, but is not limited to, mailed notice to all property owners within 300 feet of the subject property and residents within 100 feet of the property, publication in the local newspaper, the Coastal View News, and notification sent via email to interested persons.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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d. The project has been reviewed by the City’s City Council at a duly noticed public hearing which included, but is not limited to, mailed notice to all property owners within 300 feet of the subject property and residents within 100 feet of the property, publication in the local newspaper, the Coastal View News, and notification sent via email to interested persons.

2.0 California Environmental Quality Act

2.1 Introduction
The City Council for the City of Carpinteria (City) considers and relies on the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR; State Clearinghouse Number 022080025) for the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project in determining whether to carry out the project. The Final EIR consists of the Draft EIR, responses to comments on the Draft EIR, a list of persons and agencies commenting on the Draft EIR, a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and technical appendices. The City has received, reviewed, considered, and relied on the information contained in the Final EIR, as well as information provided at hearings and submissions of testimony from official participating agencies, the public, and other agencies and organizations.

Furthermore, the Final EIR reflects the lead agency’s independent judgment and analysis.

Section 15091 of the State California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (14 California Code of Regulations [CCR]) and Section 21081 of the Public Resources Code (PRC) require a lead agency to adopt findings for each significant environmental impact disclosed in an EIR. Specifically, for each significant impact, the lead agency must find that:

Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR;
Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by that agency; or
Specific economic, social, legal, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR infeasible.

Title 14 CCR Section 15091(b) requires that the City’s findings be supported by substantial evidence in the record. Accordingly, the lead agency’s record consists of, but is not limited to the following, which are located at the City of Carpinteria Community Development Department, Carpinteria, California:

Documentary and oral evidence, testimony and staff comments and responses RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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received and reviewed by the Lead Agency during public review and the public hearings on the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project.

The Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project Final Environmental Impact Report (April 2025).

In addition to making a finding for each significant impact, if the lead agency approves a project without mitigating all of the significant impacts, it must prepare a statement of overriding considerations, in which it balances the benefits of the project against the unavoidable environmental risks. The statement of overriding considerations must explain the social, economic, or other reasons for approving the project despite its environmental impacts (14 CCR 15093, PRC 21081).

The City Council hereby incorporates by reference as though set forth in full all Community Development Department staff reports and attachments thereto presented to the Planning Commission and City Council, and all comments made or received either orally or in writing at the public hearings on this project.

The EIR, Project, and other portions of the administrative record constitute the record of proceedings in compliance with PRC Section 21081.6(a)(2) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(e) and are available for review at:

City of Carpinteria, Community Development Department
5775 Carpinteria Avenue
Carpinteria, California 93013
Contact: Nick Bobroff
Having received, reviewed and considered the foregoing information, as well as any and all information in the record, the City Council of the City of Carpinteria hereby makes these Findings pursuant to, and in accordance with, PRC Section 21081.

The Final EIR contains a project-level environmental review that fulfills the requirement of a project-level EIR. As defined in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15161, a projectlevel EIR:
…examines the environmental impacts of a specific development project. This type RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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of EIR should focus primarily on the changes in the environment that would result from the development project. The EIR shall examine all phases of the project including planning, construction, and operation.

On August 1, 2022, the City, as the Lead Agency, issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to inform the general public and agencies that an EIR would be prepared for the Project and to solicit comments on environmental issues to be addressed in the document. The public scoping comment period was extended by 30 days and closed on September 30, 2022. Comments received in response to the NOP were used to further refine the scope of the analysis and the technical studies in this EIR. Written comments received in response to the NOP are provided in Appendix D with an indication of specific EIR sections where topics related to individual comments are addressed.

The NOP was also submitted to the California Office of Planning and Research (State Clearinghouse) to officially solicit participation in determining the scope of the EIR.

Information requested and input provided during the NOP comment period regarding the scope of the EIR are included in the EIR.

The public comments received on the Draft EIR were reviewed and responded to as required by CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines. This Final EIR has been prepared, incorporating all of the comments received, written responses to received comments, and the Draft EIR, along with any changes to the Draft EIR that resulted from the comments received.

The document and the Notice of Completion (NOC) were distributed to the California Office of Planning and Research, State Clearinghouse. Relevant agencies also received copies of the document. A Notice of Availability (NOA) was distributed to agencies, community stakeholders, and individuals. The NOA informed them of where they could view the document and how to comment. An electronic copy of the document was also posted online, and hard copies were made available by request.

The NOA was filed with the County Clerk.

Responses to each written and verbal comment that the City received during the comment period on the Draft EIR are included in the Responses to Comments section of the Final EIR. The Draft EIR and Responses to Comments collectively comprise the Final EIR for the project.

The EIR has been reviewed by the City’s Planning Commission at a duly noticed public hearing which included, but is not limited to, mailed notice to all property owners within 300 feet of the subject property, residents within 100 feet of the property and publication in the local newspaper, the Coastal View.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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The EIR has been reviewed by the City Council at a duly noticed public hearing which included, but is not limited to, mailed notice to all property owners within 300 feet of the subject property, residents within 100 feet of the property and publication in the local newspaper, the Coastal View.

2.3 California Environmental Quality Act Findings

1. The Final EIR dated April 2025 was presented to the City Council and all voting members of the City Council have reviewed and considered the EIR prior to approving this project. The EIR reflects the independent judgment of the City Council and is adequate for this proposed project.

2. The City Council finds and certifies that the Final EIR dated April, 2025 constitutes a complete, accurate, adequate and good faith effort at full disclosure under CEQA. The City Council further finds and certifies that the Final EIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA.

3. The documents and other materials which constitute the record of proceeding upon which this decision is based are in the custody of the City Clerk located at 5775 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA.

4. Findings That Certain Impacts Are Less Than Significant. (see discussion below) The City determined, based upon the threshold criteria for significance, the environmental analysis presented in the Final EIR, and the comments received by the public on the Draft EIR, no substantial evidence was submitted to or identified by the City which indicated that the project would have a significant impact on the following environmental areas. For details on the specific impacts, please see the respective Final EIR sections.

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LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT (CLASS III) ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT Issue Area
and Impact
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Location in Final EIR
BIO.6 Conservation Plan Conflicts III
Geology and
Soils
GEO.1 Earthquake Fault III
GEO.5 Expansive Soils III Final EIR Section 4.5
GEO.6 Septic Tanks III
Hazards and
Hazardous
Materials
HAZ.3 Hazards Proximate to Schools III
Final EIR Section 4.7 HAZ.4 Site Contamination III
HAZ.5 Proximity to Airport III
HAZ.6 Impair Emergency Response III
Hydrology
and Water
Quality
WR.2 Groundwater Supply III
WR.3 Drainage Patterns III Final EIR Section 4.8
WR.4 Pollutants III
WR.5 Control Plans III
Land Use
and Planning
LUP.1 Divide a Community III Final EIR Section 4.9 LUP.2 Policy Conflict III Noise
N.1 12-Hour CNEL III
N.3 Vibration III Final EIR Section 4.10
N.4 Airport Noise Conflicts III
REC.2 Rec Facilities III
Transportatio
n
T.1 Policy Conflicts III
T.2 VMT III Final EIR Section 4.11
T.3 Traffic Hazards III
T.4 Emergency Access III
Other All
Ag, Energy, Mineral, Housing,
Public Services, Recreation,
Utilities, Wildfire
III Final EIR Section 4.13
III

5. Findings that Certain Impacts are Mitigated to Insignificance by Conditions of Approval. (See discussion below)
Class II impacts are significant but can be mitigated to a level of insignificance by measures identified in the EIR. When approving a project with Class II impacts, the decision-makers must make findings that changes or alterations to the project have been incorporated that reduce the impacts to a less than significant level.

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This section presents the project’s significant environmental impacts and feasible mitigation measures. State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091 (14 CCR) and PRC Section 21081 require a lead agency to make findings for each significant environmental impact disclosed in an EIR. Specifically, for each significant impact, the lead agency must make the following Finding:

1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR;

2. Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by that agency; or

3. Specific economic, social, legal, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR infeasible.

Each of these findings must be supported by substantial evidence in the administrative record. The City determined and makes the finding, based upon the environmental analysis presented in the Final EIR and the comments received by the public on the Draft EIR, that the following impacts can be fully avoided or reduced to a less-thansignificant level through the incorporation of feasible mitigation measures into the project, as identified in the Final EIR. For each of these identified impacts, changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR. For details on the specific impacts, please see the respective Final EIR sections.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
Aesthetic
s
A.4 Night
Lighting II
A.4:

Beach/Nearsh
ore Night
Lighting
Minimization
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.1
The Project would create a temporary
new source of substantial light or
glare which would adversely affect
day or nighttime views in the area.

To mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure A.4
which requires that light be shielded
and directed inward. By adhering to
these measures, the night lighting
impacts would be reduced to a less
than significant level.

Air
Quality AQ.2 Odors II
AQ.2: Odor
control and
Purging Plan
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.2
The Project may result in potentially
significant odor emission impacts.

To mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure
AQ.2 which requires use of
degassing systems and other odor
control tactics. By adhering to
these measures, the odor impacts
would be reduced to a less than
significant level.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
Biological
Resource
s
BIO.1 Listed
Species II
Bio.1a: Agency
Approvals
Bio.1b: Habitat
Restoration/Re
vegetation
Plan
Bio.1c: Preconstruction
Wildlife
Surveys
Bio.1d: Fencing
Bio.1e: Worker
Education &
Awareness
Plan
Bio.1f: Marine
Wildlife
Contingency &
Training Plan
Implementatio
n
Bio.1g: Harbor
Seal Rookery
Monitoring &
Protection
Bio.1h: Wildlife
Relocation
Monitoring
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.3
The Project may result in potentially
significant impacts to special status
species. To mitigate against this
impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Bio.1(a)-(h) which implement
various measures including
retaining qualified biologists,
adopting management plans,
utilizing constructive boundaries,
and providing awareness programs.

By adhering to these measures, the
impacts to these species would be
reduced to a less than significant
level.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
BIO.2 ESHA II
Bio.2a: ESHA
Impact
Avoidance
Bio.2b: Scrub
Mitigation
Bio.2c: Essential
Fish Habitat
Avoidance
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on riparian habitat
as a result of the temporary
decommissioning activities. To
mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Bio.2(a)-(c) which implement
various measures including
avoiding impact areas, onsite
mitigation, and preparation of a predecommissioning survey. By adhering to these measures, the
impacts to these riparian areas
would be reduced to a less than
significant level.

BIO.3 Wetlands II
Bio.3a:

Permitting
Compliance
with USACE,
RWQCB, and
CDFW
Requirements
Bio.3b:

Wetlands Preconstruction
Survey
Bio.3c: Coastal
Wetlands
Mitigation and
Monitoring
Program
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on protected
wetlands as a result of the
temporary decommissioning
activities. To mitigate against this
impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Bio.3(a)-(c) which implement
various measures including permit
compliance, preparation of a
coastal wetlands mitigation and
monitoring plan, and preparation of
a pre-decommissioning survey. By
adhering to these measures, the
impacts to these wetlands would be
reduced to a less than significant
level.

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
BIO.5 Policy
Conflicts II
Bio.5: Tree
Removal
Mitigation
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact due to the
removal of 62 non-native trees. To
mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Bio.5 which requires trees be
replaced. By implementing this
requirement, the impacts to these
riparian areas would be reduced to
a less than significant level.

Cultural
and
Tribal
Cultural
Resource
s
CUL.1
Known
Resource
CA-SBA-6
II
Cul.1a: Cultural
Resources
Management
Plan
Cul.1b: Worker
Cultural
Resources
Awareness
Program
Cul.1c: Cultural
Resources
Monitoring
Cul.1d:

Exclusion
Zones
Cul.1e: Phase III
Data Recovery
Excavations
Cul.1f: Curation
of Project
Materials
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.4
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on archaeological
resources due to grading and
excavation work. To mitigate
against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for
the Project––specifically mitigation
measures Cul.1(a)-(f) which
implement various measures
including implementation of an
awareness plan, cultural resource
monitoring, avoidance of exclusion
zones, curation of project materials,
and preparation of a resource
management plan. By adhering to
these measures, the impacts to
these archaeological resources
would be reduced to a less than
significant level.

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
CUL.2 Human
Remains II
Cul.2a: On-Call
Forensic
Anthropologist
Cul.2b: Human
Remains
Discovery
The Project could potentially disturb
human remains due to grading and
excavation work. To mitigate
against this potentially significant
impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Cul.2(a) and (b) which require the
applicant to retain an on-call
forensic anthropologist and follow
specified procedures if human
remains are discovered. By
adhering to these measures, these
impacts would be reduced to a less
than significant level.

Geology
and Soils
GEO.2 Erosion II
Geo.2: Erosion
Control Best
Management
Practices
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.5
The Project could result in substantial
soil erosion due to the removal of
contaminated soil. To mitigate
against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for
the Project––specifically mitigation
measure Geo.2 which requires that
erosion control best management
practices be followed. By adhering
to these measures, this impact
would be reduced to a less than
significant level.

GEO.3 Sedimentat
ion II
Geo.2: Erosion
Control Best
Management
Practices
The Project could result in potentially
significant siltation impacts. To
mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure
Geo.2 which requires that erosion
control best management practices
be followed. By adhering to these
measures, this impact would be
reduced to a less than significant
level.

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
GEO.4 Unstable
Bluffs II
Geo.4a: Bluff
Stabilization
Plan
Geo.4b: Bluff
Stabilization
During
Pipeline
Removal
Geo.4c: Bluff
Stabilization
Following
Pipeline
Removal
The Project’s proposal to remove
pipelines located in Carpinteria
Bluffs could result in potentially
significant erosion impacts. To
mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure
Geo.4(a)-(c) which require that
adoption of a stabilization plan,
adherence to various measures to
stabilize the bluff during pipeline
removal, and adherence to various
measures to stabilize the bluff
following pipeline removal. By
adhering to these measures, this
erosion impact would be reduced to
a less than significant level.

GEO.7
Paleontolo
gical/Geolo
gic Feature
II Measures
Cul.1a-f
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on paleontological
resources due to grading and
excavation work. To mitigate
against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for
the Project––specifically mitigation
measures Cul.1(a)-(f) which
implement various measures
including implementation of an
awareness plan, cultural resource
monitoring, avoidance of exclusion
zones, curation of project materials,
and preparation of a resource
management plan. By adhering to
these measures, the impacts to
these resources would be reduced
to a less than significant level.

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
Climate
Change
and GHG
GHG.1 GHG
Emissions II
GHG.1: GHG
Emissions
Reductions
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.6
The Project could have a potentially
significant greenhouse gas
emissions associated with the
decommissioning activities. To
mitigate against these impacts,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure
GHG.1 which requires reductions
and/or offsets for emissions and
preparation of a GHG reduction and
reporting plan to track and enforce
these. By adhering to these
measures, these impacts would be
reduced to a less than significant
level.

GHG.2 Plans II
GHG.1: GHG
Emissions
Reductions
The Project could result in an
exceedance of County GHG
emission thresholds and thus
conflict with an applicable plan
regulating emissions. To mitigate
against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for
the Project––specifically mitigation
measure GHG.1 which requires
reductions and/or offsets for
emissions and preparation of a
GHG reduction and reporting plan
to track and enforce these. By
adhering to these measures, this
impact would be reduced to a less
than significant level.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
Hazards
and
Hazardou
s
Materials
HAZ.1
Routine
Operation
s
II
Haz.1:

Contaminated
Soil Handling
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.7
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact associated with
handling of contaminated soils. To
mitigate against this risk, changes
or alterations have been required
for the Project––specifically
mitigation measure Haz.1 which
requires preparation of and
adherence to a contaminated soil
handling management plan. By
adhering to these measures, these
impacts would be reduced to a less
than significant level.

HAZ.7 Wildland
Fires II
HAZ.7: Fire
Response
Planning
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact associated with
fire risk during the demolition or
remediation phase of the Project.

To mitigate against this risk,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure
Haz.7 which requires
implementation of various fire
response planning measures
including hydrant access, water
inventories, availability of response
equipment and equipment
requirements. By adhering to these
measures, these impacts would be
reduced to a less than significant
level.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Locatio
n in
Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
Noise N.2
Hourly
Average
Ambient
Noise
II
N.2a:

Construction
Noise Control
Measures
N.2b: Nighttime
Activities
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.10
The Project could have a potentially
significant noise impact associated
with temporary noise from
decommissioning activities. To
mitigate against this risk, changes
or alterations have been required
for the Project––specifically
mitigation measures N.2(a) and (b)
which require implementation of
construction noise reduction
measures such as installation of
noise barriers, and prohibition of
nighttime onshore activities. By
adhering to these measures, these
noise impacts would be reduced to
a less than significant level.

Tribal
Cultural
Resource
s
TCR.1
Tribal
Cultural
Resource
s
II
Measures
Cul.1a through
Cul.2b
Final
EIR
Sectio
n 4.12
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on tribal-cultural
resources due to decommissioning
work. To mitigate against this
impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Cul.1(a) and (b) described above.

By adhering to these measures, the
impacts to these tribal-cultural
resources would be reduced to a
less than significant level.

TCR.2
Tribal
Cultural
Resource
s
II
Measures
Cul.1a through
Cul.2b
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on tribal-cultural
resources due to decommissioning
work. To mitigate against this
impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Cul.1(a) and (b) described above.

By adhering to these measures, the
impacts to these tribal-cultural
resources would be reduced to a
less than significant level.

6. Findings that Certain Unavoidable Impacts are Mitigated to the Maximum Extent Feasible. (See discussion below).

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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Class I impacts are significant and unavoidable. To approve a project resulting in Class I impacts, the CEQA Guidelines require decision makers to make findings of overriding consideration that "...specific legal, technological, economic, social, or other considerations make infeasible the mitigation measures or alternatives identified in the EIR...".

1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR;

Each of these findings must be supported by substantial evidence in the administrative record. This section identifies impacts that can be reduced, but not to a less-thansignificant level, through the incorporation of feasible mitigation measures into the project, and which therefore, remain significant and unavoidable, as identified in the Final EIR. Where adoption of feasible mitigation measures is not effective in avoiding an impact or reducing it to a less than significant level, the feasibility of adopting alternatives to the project is considered below. For details on the specific impacts, please see the respective Final EIR sections.

Significant and unavoidable Class I impacts would occur related to biological resources, hazardous materials and risk of upset, and hydrology and water resources.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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SIGNIFICANT UNAVOIDABLE (CLASS I) ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT FOR WHICH

SUFFICIENT MITIGATION IS NOT AVAILABLE
Issue
Area
Impact
Numbe
r
Descriptio
n
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Location
in Final
EIR
Findings Analysis
Biological
Resource
s
BIO.7 Accidental
Oil Spills I
Bio.7: Oil
Spill
Contingen
cy Plan
Final EIR
Section

4.3 The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on biological resources if
an accidental oil spill were to occur. To
mitigate against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation measure
Bio.7 was adopted which requires
preparation of an oil spill contingency plan
that includes, among other things,
measures to minimize impacts to special
status species and riparian habitat. Even
with adherence to these measures, the
potential impacts to these riparian areas
would remain significant and unavoidable.

Hazardou
s
Materials
& Risk of
Upset
HAZ.2 Accidental
Releases I
Haz.2a:

Spill
Response
Planning
Haz.2b:

Asbestos
and Lead
Planning
Final EIR
Section

4.7 The Project could have a potentially
significant impact associated with
accidental release of hazardous materials.

To mitigate against this risk, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation measure
Haz.2(a) and (b) which require various
measures to address spill response
planning and asbestos and lead exposure
minimization planning. Even with
adherence to these measures, these
impacts would remain significant and
unavoidable.

Hydrology
& Water
Resource
s
WR.1
Surface
Water
Quality
Standards
I
WR.1:

Stormwat
er
Pollution
Preventio
n Plan
Final EIR
Section

4.8 The Project could have a potentially
significant impact to water quality
associated with accidental release of
petroleum hydrocarbons into marine water.

To mitigate against this risk, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation measure
WR.1 which requires preparation of and
adherence to a stormwater pollution
prevention plan. Even with adherence to
these measures, these impacts would
remain significant and unavoidable.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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7. Findings Regarding Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes and Findings Regarding Growth-Inducing Impacts. (See discussion below) State CEQA Guidelines §15126.2(c) requires a discussion of any significant irreversible environmental changes that would be caused by the proposed project should it be implemented. Such significant irreversible environmental changes may include the following:

Use of non-renewable resources during the initial and continued phases of the project that would be irreversible because a large commitment of such resources makes removal or non-use unlikely;
Primary impacts and, particularly secondary impacts (such as highway improvement that provides access to a previously inaccessible area) that generally commit future generations to similar uses; or Irreversible damage which may result from environmental accidents associated with the project.

As discussed in Section 6 of the Final EIR, there are no significant irreversible environmental changes/effects.

Generally speaking, a project may be considered growth inducing if it results in one or more of the five conditions identified below:

1. Induces population growth;

2. Induces economic expansion;

3. Establishes a precedent setting action (e.g., an innovation, a radical change in zoning or general plan designation);

4. Results in development or encroachment in an isolated or adjacent area of open space (i.e., being distinct from “infill” development); or

5. Removes an impediment to growth (e.g., the establishment of an essential public service or the provision of new access to an area).

As per Section 6 of the Final EIR, there are no growth inducing impacts associated with the Project.

8. Findings that Identified Project Mitigations/Alternatives are not Feasible. (See discussion below).

Because the project will result in significant and unavoidable environmental impacts as identified above, the City must consider the feasibility of any environmentally superior RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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alternatives to the project, as proposed. The City must evaluate whether one or more of these alternatives could substantially lessen or avoid the unavoidable significant environmental effects.

Specifically, where significant impacts are identified, State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(a) requires EIRs to consider and discuss alternatives to the proposed actions:
(a) An EIR shall describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the project, or to the location of the project, which would feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the project but would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project, and evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives. An EIR need not consider every conceivable alternative to a project. Rather, it must consider a reasonable range of potentially feasible alternatives that will foster informed decision-making and public participation. An EIR is not required to consider alternatives which are infeasible. The lead agency is responsible for selecting a range of project alternatives for examination and must publicly disclose its reasoning for selecting those alternatives. There is no ironclad rule governing the nature or scope of the alternatives to be discussed other than the rule of reason.

State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(b) states the purpose of the alternatives analysis:
(b) Because an EIR must identify ways to mitigate or avoid the significant effects that a project may have on the environment (PRC Section 21002.1), the discussion of alternatives shall focus on alternatives to the project or its location which are capable of avoiding or substantially lessening any significant effects of the project, even if these alternatives would impede to some degree the attainment of the project objectives, or would be more costly.

The EIR should also identify any alternatives that were considered by the lead agency but were rejected as infeasible during the scoping process and briefly explain the reasons underlying the lead agency’s determination. Additional information explaining the choice of alternatives may be included in the administrative record. Among the factors that may be used to eliminate alternatives from detailed consideration in an EIR are: (i) failure to meet most of the basic project objectives, (ii) infeasibility, or (iii) inability to avoid significant RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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environmental impacts.

The range of alternatives required is governed by a “rule of reason” that requires the EIR to set forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a reasoned choice. The EIR shall include sufficient information about each alternative to allow meaningful evaluation, analysis, and comparison with the proposed project. Alternatives are limited to ones that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project. Of those alternatives, the EIR need examine in detail only the ones that the lead agency determines could feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the Project.

As such, the environmental superiority and feasibility of each alternative to the project is considered in this section. Specifically, this section evaluates the effectiveness of these alternatives in reducing the significant and unavoidable impacts of the project.

As required by State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(c), the selection of alternatives for this EIR included a screening process to determine a reasonable range of alternatives, which could reduce significant effects but also feasibly meet project objectives. Alternatives that do not clearly provide any environmental advantages compared to the project, do not meet basic project objectives, or do not achieve overall lead agency policy goals, have been eliminated from further consideration. The factors that may be considered when addressing the feasibility of alternatives include site suitability, economic viability, availability of infrastructure, general plan consistency, other plans or regulatory limitations, jurisdictional boundaries, and whether the proponent can reasonably acquire, control or otherwise have access to the alternative site.

The following alternatives were considered but eliminated from further analysis by the City due to one or more of these factors:

Removal of Offshore Facilities only Alternative;
Removal of Onshore Facilities only Alternative; and
Limitations on Trucking Destinations Alternative.

The following alternatives were carried forward for in depth analysis:

No Project Alternative;
Full Removal of Facilities Alternative
In addition, in response to comments made on the Draft EIR, an additional alternative, the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative, has been added to the Final EIR and is found to be the environmentally preferred alternative. The analysis for each alternative is provided below.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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No Project Alternative
CEQA requires an evaluation of the No Project Alternative so that decision makers can compare the impacts of approving the Project with the impacts of not approving the Project.

According to CEQA Guidelines §15126.6(3)(B), for a development project the No Project Alternative is the circumstances under which the Project does not proceed. If disapproval of the Project under consideration would result in predictable actions by others, such as the proposal of some other project, this “no project” consequence should be discussed. CEQA defines the “no project” as:
[W]hat would be reasonably expected to occur in the foreseeable future if the project were not approved, based on current plans and consistent with available infrastructure and community services (15126.6).

Under the No Project Alternative, the Project as proposed would not occur and the Applicant would not conduct the Site demolition and remediation activities proposed by the Project. The CPF would remain at the Site in a shut-down status and facilities would not be decommissioned. This would include onshore facilities, and offshore pipelines. It should be noted that remediation activities may still be required to proceed since the U.S. EPA and SBCEHS would likely continue to require that these facilities be cleaned up of contaminated materials and appropriately remediated. However, without the removal of above-ground equipment and tanks, it would be difficult to fully access all areas targeted for excavation and remediation.

Ability to Achieve Project Objectives: This Alternative would fail to meet all project objectives.

Feasibility: This alternative may not be feasible because there are regulatory requirements for clean up of the site which may be difficult to obtain if the infrastructure is not removed as under the Project.

Finding: As the removal of the contaminated soil would be a regulatory requirement, and leaving the aboveground infrastructure would make this difficult and potentially infeasible, this alternative would not achieve most of the Project objectives related to removing aboveground facilities and subsequently achieving soil remediation.

Full Removal of Facilities Alternative
The Project as proposed by the Applicant excludes a number of facilities that are not slated for decommissioning for a variety of reasons described below. Under this RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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alternative all oil and gas facilities within the property and all related offshore facilities that can be addressed would be fully decommissioned. Those facilities would include the plugging and abandonment of the seven wells that exist within the Project Site; removal and remediation of naturally occurring petroleum hydrocarbons which include a number of seep areas within the Buffer Zone Area, MSRC Area, Main Plant Area, and Pier Parking Lot Area; and removal of former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle, which include two, 8-inch diameter and one, 6-inch diameter abandoned pipelines that come from offshore, across the beach near the western extent of the Project area and a 36-inch diameter corrugated metal vault located at the edge of the bluffs. Plugging and abandonment of the wells has not been required by CalGEM at this point. Removal of the pipelines from Platforms Hazel and Hilda was not required by the State Lands Commission, who was the Lead Agency for the removal of the Platforms in 1997.

Ability to Achieve Project Objectives: This Alternative could meet all project objectives.

Feasibility: Comments from the Applicant and others pointed out that the hydrocarbon seeps and historic wells are not required to be intervened by any regulatory agency and are not feasible under the existing Project. The California Coastal Commission has stated that the seeps are a chronic natural occurrence that is part of the environmental setting and would not be considered an impact. The seeps, which include a number of seep areas within the Buffer Zone Area, MSRC Area, Main Plant Area, and Pier Parking Lot Area, are natural environmental features resulting from geological conditions. The California Coastal Commission commented that leaving the seeps undisturbed in their natural state would not be inconsistent with the Coastal Act. (California Coastal Commission letter, 1/31/2024). Previous attempts to cement over seeps in southern California have resulted in seeps moving around the cement cap. (Chevron letter, 1/31/2024). Abandonment of the historic wells on the property that were installed and operated by others are not proposed to be affected by the Proposed Project decommissioning activities and as such, are not considered the Applicant’s responsibility. The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) advised that the property owner would be responsible for well reabandonment if the property owner proposed construction that would prevent or impede well access, but the Proposed Project is not projected to build over or impede access to the historic wells. (CalGEM letter, 2/1/2024). CalGEM has determined that there is no regulatory requirement for Chevron to plug or abandon the wells as part of the Proposed Project.

Finding: This alternative was found infeasible due to issues discussed above.

Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative The Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative consists of all the components of the Proposed Project together with removal of the onshore and RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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nearshore portion of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle, which was abandoned in place as approved by the State Lands Commission during the platform removal project in 1997. This alternative is a revised version of the Full Removal of Facilities Alternative described above but does not include removal and remediation of naturally occurring hydrocarbon seeps, plugging and abandonment of seven existing wells within the Project Site, or removal of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle further from shore, beyond a depth of 30 feet of water.

Ability to Achieve Project Objectives: The Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative would achieve the basic objectives of the Project by accomplishing the components of the original Proposed Project. In addition, removing the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle through the bluffs would prevent future erosion and avoid the pipelines becoming a burden on the public if removal is necessary in the future.

Feasibility: This alternative is feasible and there are no impediments for this alternative to move forward
Finding: Although the various alternatives have similar levels of impacts, the reduction of long-term geological impacts to the bluffs from elimination of the additional pipelines under the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative results in this alternative being the environmentally superior alternative.

9. Although the approval of this project allows the occurrence of significant effects identified in the final EIR, which effects are not substantially mitigated, the benefits of the project outweigh such effects and a Statement of Overriding Considerations is adopted pursuant to Sections 15091 through 15093 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, as follows:

Pursuant to CEQA Section 21081(b) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15093, the City has balanced the benefits of the proposed project against the unavoidable adverse impacts associated with the proposed project and has adopted all feasible mitigation measures. The City has also examined alternatives and has determined that adoption and implementation of the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative, is the most desirable, feasible, and appropriate action.

The Final EIR for the project identifies the following significant and unavoidable impacts of the project:

Bio.7. Accidental Oil Spills. This is related to the potential for oil spills to occur during the execution of the project and affecting biological resources.

Haz.2. Accidental Releases. This is related to the potential for oil spills to occur during the execution of the project.

RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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WR.1. Water Quality Standards. This impact is related to the potential of an oil spill in reaching or affecting water resources.

For projects which would result in significant environmental impacts that cannot be avoided, CEQA requires that the lead agency balance the benefits of these projects against the unavoidable environmental risks in determining whether to approve the projects. If the benefits of these projects outweigh the unavoidable impacts, those impacts may be considered acceptable (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15093[a]).

CEQA requires that, before adopting such projects, the public agency adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations setting forth the reasons why the agency finds that the benefits of the project outweigh the significant environmental effects caused by the project. This statement is provided below.

Statement of Overriding Considerations. The Planning Commission has identified the following overriding economic, social, and other public benefits of the project, which are additional reasons that the significant and unavoidable impacts identified in the Final EIR can be found acceptable, and hereby adopts them as a statement of overriding considerations:
a. The Project provides for a number of short and long-term beneficial effects to the area as a result of cleaning up an old, defunct oil and gas facility and offshore appurtenances.
b. The Project involves removal of a coastal-dependent industrial facility and associated infrastructure and site restoration to natural topography and vegetation. The Project would result in additional open space, natural habitat, and coastal recreation opportunities in the Project area. The Project would remove pipelines from the Project Site, bluff area, beach, nearshore and offshore areas out to three miles. No permanent development or structures are proposed in connection with the Project.
c. Although the Project would have some short-term impacts, its long-term beneficial effects are also discussed in the Final EIR Section 5.5 and summarized below:
• Air Quality: operational criteria pollutant emissions, toxic emissions and odors would be reduced in the long term with removal of facilities and contamination, but would occur in the short term as a result of the decommissioning activities;
• Hazardous Materials: Due to an elimination of contaminated soils and elimination of potential sources of an oil spill in the future by removal of facilities and upset hazards hazardous materials would be reduced in the RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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long term but would occur in the short term related to decommissioning activities;
• Aesthetics: The Project would include aesthetic benefits by having old and dilapidated structures removed from the coastal zone.
• Biological Resources: Biological resources would be left undisturbed after the temporary impact from decommissioning activities.
• Land Use: Land Use impacts are beneficial in the long term due to the elimination of an industrial land use on the Carpinteria Bluffs. • Geological Impacts: Geological impacts would be reduced in the long term by removing pipelines from the bluffs that could cause long term erosion, but would occur in the short term related to decommissioning activities; • Transportation: Traffic would be reduced in the long term due to the elimination of truck trips from the facility, but would occur in the short term related to decommissioning activities;
Accordingly, the City finds that the project’s adverse, unavoidable environmental impacts are outweighed by these considerable benefits.

10. Adoption of Environmental Reporting and Monitoring Program. The project description, and conditions of approval, with their corresponding permit monitoring requirements, are hereby adopted as the monitoring program for this project to ensure compliance during project implementation.

Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a)(1), the City finds that implementation of the mitigation measures specified in the Final EIR would substantially lessen the significant environmental effects resulting from the implementation of the project. These mitigation measures have been required in or incorporated into the project. In accordance with State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15091(d) and 15097, which require a public agency to adopt a program for reporting or monitoring required changes or conditions of approval to substantially lessen significant environmental effects, the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program provided in the Final EIR is hereby adopted as the mitigation monitoring and reporting program for this preferred project.

3.0 Development Plan Findings
Pursuant to Carpinteria Municipal Code §14.68.030(9), prior to approving or approving with conditions a development plan, the planning commission or city council shall determine that all of the following criteria have been met:

1. The proposed development is in conformance with the provisions of the applicable zoning district, Local Coastal Plan and implementation programs, and RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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General Plan. The Project involves removal of a defunct coastal-dependent industrial facility and associated infrastructure and site restoration to natural topography and vegetation. The Project would result in additional open space, natural habitat, and coastal recreation opportunities in the Project area. Decommissioning of inoperable oil and gas facilities and improvements is consistent with the types of uses anticipated in the coastal-dependent industrial land use designation and corresponding zone district. Expansion of open space, habitat, and public recreation opportunities on the bluffs are also generally consistent with the City’s vision for the Carpinteria Bluffs area.

2. The proposed development is sited and designed to avoid risks to life and property due to geologic, flood, or fire hazards and that the proposed density of development is consistent with these objectives.

The Project is a decommissioning of an existing facility and as such it cannot occur anywhere else. Compliance with required project mitigation measures and required regulatory agency permits will help to ensure decommissioning and remediation work is completed in the safest manner possible. As such, the proposed development is sited, designed and conditioned to avoid risks to life and property due to geologic, flood, or fire hazards.

3. The proposed development will not cause substantial environmental damage or substantially and avoidably injure fish or wildlife or their habitat.

The Project includes the demolition of oil and gas processing equipment, tanks, pipelines, and other structures onsite, remediation of contaminated soils, and restoration with native vegetation. The Project will have some temporary impacts, and have the potential for oil spills to occur; however, the long term beneficial effects of the Project outweigh the temporary impacts by removing an industrial unsightly facility from the coastal Carpinteria bluffs. Compliance with required project mitigation measures and required regulatory agency permits will help to ensure decommissioning and remediation work is completed in a manner that is most protective of the environment and surrounding sensitive resources.

4. The proposed development will not conflict with any recorded easements acquired by the public at large for access through the property or use of the property or any easements granted to any public agency or required as a condition of approval.

The proposed decommissioning Project will not conflict with any recorded easements acquired by the public at large for access through the property or use RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
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of the property or any easements granted to any public agency. While the Project may have some impacts on public use of nearby trails, these impacts would be temporary and not significant as discussed in the FEIR. No new easements are required as a project condition of approval.

5. The proposed development will not adversely affect necessary community services and values including but not limited to traffic circulation, sewage disposal, fire protection, water supply, and police protection.

The proposed Project will not adversely affect community services and values including but not limited to traffic circulation, sewage disposal, fire protection, water supply, and police protection. The Project is temporary in nature and will not result in adverse impacts to, or additional demands placed upon these community services.

6. The proposed development will not be detrimental to the peace, health, safety, comfort, convenience, property values, or general welfare of the neighborhood.

The proposed Project will have some temporary effects during the decommissioning activities; however, those impacts are temporary in nature and once the project is completed, neighbors and surrounding land users will be able to enjoy the absence of a dilapidated industrial facility within the coastal bluffs.

Appropriate mitigation measures developed as part of the Project EIR have been incorporated into the adopted conditions of approval, and would further the reduce the severity of these temporary impacts to the maximum extent feasible.

4.0 Coastal Development Permit Findings
Pursuant to the California Coastal Act, the Administrative Regulations of the California Coastal Commission and the City’s Local Coastal Program, it has been found that the permit requested may be issued based on the following findings:

1. The proposed development is in conformity with the City’s certified Local Coastal Program.

The Project Site is currently designated Coastal Dependent Industry (CDI) and Recreation (REC) by the General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan. The CDI land use category identifies areas for industrial uses that are coastal dependent, such as aquaculture and pipeline/gas processing facilities which support offshore oil industries. Under the Carpinteria Municipal Code (CMC), the Project Site is zoned to the corresponding Coastal Industry District (M-CD). The onshore Project Site is currently developed with the Carpinteria Processing Facility, open space, a former marketing terminal, and Marine Spill Response Corporation RESOLUTION NO. 6415- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025 City Council Special Meeting

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(MSRC) yard/offices north of the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right-of-way (ROW). The onshore Project area south of the UPRR ROW is currently utilized for the Casitas Pier parking lot and offshore pipeline landings/bluff crossings. The Project includes demolition of all existing structures onsite and subsurface remediation of soils. The Project Site will be backfilled, final graded, and planted with native vegetation to match existing contours. No additional structures will be constructed as part of the Project. The proposed decommissioning Project is consistent with the City’s certified Local Coastal Program. The Project would not cause a significant environmental impact due to a conflict with any land use plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.

Figure 1 Project Site location Map
Source: Applicant Project Description, 2021.

Figure 2 Facility Overview
Source: Applicant Project Description, 2021.

Figure 3
Source: Applicant Project Description, 2021.

Figure 4 Primary Operational Areas
Source: Applicant Project Description, 2021.

Figure 5 Onshore Facility Equipment Removal Areas
Source: Applicant Project Description, 2021.

Figure 6 Offshore Facility Equipment Removal Areas
Source: Applicant Project Description, 2021.

Figure 7 Facilities Not Proposed as Part of the Project Source: Applicant Project Description, 2021.

Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
The Project proposes to demolish and remove the Carpinteria Processing Facility (CPF) including but not limited to the onshore portions of the CPF (Onshore Facility), and State Waters Offshore Pipelines and complete remediation of impacted soils and groundwater at the Facility. Remediation is proposed to comply with levels established in a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) that will be reviewed by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Services (SBCEHS), Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The Project proposal assumes the most stringent clean up levels for the purpose of determining soil excavation and truck trip estimates and therefore a maximum amount of remediation activities (e.g., truck trips, Site activities). The Applicant states remediation efforts will be performed along with preservation of existing Site resources, including mature trees and bluffs, Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
and in coordination with Site constraints including buffer zones adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right-of-way (ROW). The most stringent clean up levels would also result in greater flexibility for development on the Site meeting the most rigorous standards (e.g., unrestricted land use).

Decommissioning and remediation of the Facility will include the following activities:

Onshore Facility
Idling and removal of all existing surface and subsurface equipment, piping, and structures within the Facility;
Removal of concrete foundations, asphalt, oil spray, and road base within the Facility;
Excavation/remediation of any impacted soils underlying the Facility in Addendums, and appropriate regulatory guidance (once approved); Recycling/disposal of all materials removed from the Project Site(s); and Restoration of the portions of the Site in accordance with the Site Restoration Plan (once approved).

Beach Crossing and State Waters Offshore Pipelines
Pig and flush State Waters Offshore Pipelines in preparation for removal; Removal of State Waters Offshore Pipeline segments out to 3-nmi state waters limit;
Removal of nearshore beach crossing pipeline segments;
Recycling/disposal of all materials removed from the Project Site(s); and Onshore restoration in accordance with the Site Restoration Plan (once approved).

The Project Site includes the Facility, as well as the State Waters Offshore Pipelines and utilities leading into the Project Site from state waters, as further described below. Within the onshore portion of the Project Site, a number of operational areas/plant areas have been identified that contain idle structures, vessels, and piping proposed for demolition and remediation. The state waters offshore portion of the Project Site contains two primary pipeline and utility bundles that come to shore and lead into the Onshore Facility. Proposed activities within each area are listed below.

Onshore Facilities and Proposed Activities
Main Plant Area (MPA) Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation;
Chevron Pipeline Area (CPA) - Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation;
Former Marketing Terminal Area (FMTA) Surface facilities demolition and soil remediation;
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Former Nursery Area (FNA) Vacant. No activities proposed. Previously remediated to acceptable cleanup levels;
Shop and Maintenance Area Surface and subsurface facilities demolition and soil remediation;
MSRC Lease Area Surface facilities demolition and soil remediation; Peninsula Area - Soil remediation in coordination with SoCalGas facility demolition and City of Carpinteria skate park development; Buffer Zone Area (BZA)/Drainage Area No. 4 (DA4) Vacant. No activities proposed. Previously remediated to acceptable cleanup levels; and Gravel Portion of Pier Parking Lot/Former Sand Blast Area (FSBA) Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation/subsurface pipeline removal/abandonment in place.

State Waters Offshore Pipelines and Proposed Activities Platform Gail and Grace Pipeline Bundle and 10-inch Oil Pipeline Removal from top of bluff to 3-nmi state waters limit; and
Marketing and Marine Terminal Pipeline Bundles Removal offshore through top of bluff. Onshore pipelines will be abandoned in-place.

Removal of the onshore and nearshore portion of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle.

Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025
Conditions of Approval, Resolution No. 6415
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project July 15, 2025

CITY OF CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA

CITY OF CARPINTERIA
5775 CARPINTERIA AVENUE CARPINTERIA, CA 93013-2603 (805) 684-5405 FAX (805) 684-5304 www.carpinteria.ca.us Public Works Department
Memorandum
To: Nick Bobroff, Community Development Director
Community Development Department
From: John L. Ilasin, Public Works Director/City Engineer /s/ Date: April 29, 2025
Subject: 5675 Carpinteria Avenue, Project No. 21-2128-DP/CDP The Public Works Department has reviewed the project submittal dated October 21, 2021, and has the following conditions of approval:

CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL

1. An Engineering Permit shall be obtained from the City Engineer for any improvements or other encroachment work within the City of Carpinteria public right-of-way and/or public property.

2. All improvements within the City of Carpinteria public right-of-way and/or public property shall be completed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

3. An Engineering Permit shall be obtained from the City Engineer for earthwork excavation or fill that exceeds three feet in vertical depth at its deepest point, measured from the natural ground slope, and/or thirty cubic yards of material moved in any twelve-month period.

4. Record drawings or as-built plans shall be submitted to the City Engineer at time of final inspection for all work covered by an Engineering Permit. The record drawings or as-built plans shall be the original construction tracings or permanent mylar copies of a quality acceptable by the City Engineer.

5. A Transportation Permit shall be obtained from the City Engineer for operating or moving any vehicle or combination of vehicles or special mobile equipment in any of the acts as listed in Carpinteria Municipal Code Section 12.12.010.

6. All existing private property encroachments shall be removed from the City of Carpinteria public right-of-way and/or public property.

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5675 Carpinteria Avenue, Project No. 21-2128-DP/CDP
Conditions of Approval
April 29, 2025

7. All new and existing utility services shall be installed underground from the closest point of connection or utility pole and completed prior to any paving required for the project. No new utility poles shall be installed.

8. Stormwater control plans shall be in conformance with the County of Santa Barbara Technical Guide for Low Impact Development.

9. A Maintenance Agreement for permanent stormwater quality best management practices shall be submitted to the City Engineer for review and approval. The Maintenance Agreement shall include, at minimum, the following elements: (1) Operations and Maintenance Plan; (2) Legal description and plat of property; (3) Site plan of all permanent stormwater quality best management practices; (4) public acknowledgement.

10. Improvements in areas of special flood hazards as shown in the latest effective flood insurance rate map shall be constructed in conformance with the City floodplain management regulations (Carpinteria Municipal Code Chapter 15.50).

11. Construction and demolition debris generated shall be reported in conformance with the Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Program. Sixty-five percent (65%) or more of all construction and demolition debris shall be diverted from the landfill. The Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Program forms shall be completed and submitted to the City Engineer prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

12. Construction and demolition debris shall be separated on site into reuse, recycling, or disposal. Separate bins or containers for recycling of construction and demolition debris shall be provided on site.

13. Self-hauled disposal receipts from transfer stations shall be submitted to the City Engineer prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

14. Any self-hauled construction and demolition debris shall be reported in writing to the City Engineer. A contract waste hauler may be allowed for disposal of construction and demolition debris subject to the approval of the City Engineer.

End of Comments
April 25, 2025
Nick Bobroff Sent Via Email: [email protected] City of Carpinteria Community Development Department
5775 Carpinteria Avenue
Carpinteria, CA 93013
Re: Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District Suggested Conditions for the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project, Project No. 21-2128-DP/CDP Dear Mr. Bobroff:

The Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (District) has reviewed the project that consists of the decommissioning and remediation of the Oil and Gas Processing Facilities owned and operated by Chevron. The proposed project-related activities include the removal of nearshore/offshore pipelines out to three nautical miles (the state waters limit) and the complete remediation of impacted soils and groundwater at the onshore facility. The subject property, a 64-acre parcel zoned Coastal Industry District (M-CD) and Recreation (REC) and identified in the Assessor Parcel Map Book as APN 001-170- 003, 004, 021, 022, 023, is located at 5675 and 5663 Carpinteria Avenue in the City of Carpinteria.

The proposed project is subject to the following regulatory requirements and advisories that should be included as conditions of approval in the applicable land use permit:

1. District Permit: The proposed project includes operations (including contaminated soil remediation) subject to District permitting requirements, rules, and regulations, therefore the project will be required to obtain an Authority to Construct (ATC) and/or Permit to Operate permits from the District prior to the start of construction/demolition activities. Proof of receipt of the required District permits shall be submitted by the applicant to planning staff. The District permit process can take several months. To avoid delay, the applicant is encouraged to submit their permit application to the District as soon as possible, see www.ourair.org/permitapplications/ to download the necessary application(s). See www.ourair.org/csc-projects for information on contaminated soil clean-up.

2. Diesel Engines: All portable diesel-fired construction engines rated at 50 brake horsepower or greater must have either statewide Portable Equipment Registration Program (PERP) certificates or District permits. Generally, construction engines with PERP certificates are exempt from the District permit, provided they will be on-site for less than 12 months. In some situations, portable and/or temporary engines, require a District permit irrespective of PERP-registration status. See www.ourair.org/wp-content/uploads/PERPfaq.pdf for more information on the operation of PERP-registered engines at stationary sources.

3. Asbestos: The applicant is required to complete and submit an Asbestos Demolition/Renovation Notification (District Form ENF-28, available at www.ourair.org/compliance-forms) for each regulated structure to be demolished or renovated. Demolition notifications are required regardless of whether asbestos is present or not. The completed notification should be APCD Suggested Conditions for Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project, Project No. 21-2128-DP/CDP April 25, 2025

Page 2 ends

presented or mailed to the District with a minimum of 10 working days advance notice prior to disturbing asbestos in a renovation or starting work on a demolition. For additional information, see www.ourair.org/asbestos/ or contact the District’s Compliance Division at (805) 979-8050.

4. Marine Vessels: Prior to the start of demolition activities, a written permit exemption or Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate permits must be obtained for the operation of marine vessel engines. The District will evaluate the duration and emissions from the project to determine if the project is subject to Regulation VIII, New Source Review, and if so, which requirements will apply. Pursuant to District Rule 202.F.8., the project may qualify for a written permit exemption if the duration of the activities do not exceed 12 consecutive months and the potential to emit of such engines is less than 10 tons per stationary source of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), oxides of sulfur (SOx), reactive organic compounds (ROC), or particulate matter (PM). To qualify for this exemption, the owner or operator of the stationary source shall submit a written request for exemption to the District. The District will make a determination in writing approving or denying the request. The request shall identify the marine vessels, project activities, duration, and shall include the emission calculations and assumptions demonstrating that the engines meet the exemption criteria. Alternatively, an owner or operator of the stationary source may qualify for an exemption by obtaining an Authority to Construct and Permit to Operate which limits the potential to emit of such equipment to less than 10 tons per year. Such Authority to Construct/Permit to Operate shall be exempt from Regulation VIII.

5. Onsite Storage: If there is any planned or potential storage of Reactive Organic Compound (ROC) containing liquids or solids (e.g. ROC-impacted soils), the applicant must obtain a District permit or written exemption from permit.

6. Pipeline Purging. Pipeline purging operations have the potential for odor generation. In order to prevent odors from causing a violation of District Rule 303, Nuisance, the District recommends that carbon canisters or a thermal oxidizer be employed to control vapors released during pipeline decommissioning activities. Some companies already have permits with the District for thermal oxidizer units. The applicant should consider using an already permitted unit through a company, or could contact the District to obtain a permit or written permit exemption.

7. Prohibitory Dust Rules: Construction/demolition activities are subject to District Rule 345, Control of Fugitive Dust from Construction and Demolition Activities. This rule establishes limits on the generation of visible fugitive dust emissions at demolition and construction sites, includes measures for minimizing fugitive dust from on-site activities, and from trucks moving on- and off-site. Please see www.ourair.org/wp-content/uploads/rule345.pdf. Activities subject to Rule 345 are also subject to Rule 302 (Visible Emissions) and Rule 303 (Nuisance).

8. Idling: Drivers of diesel-fueled commercial motor vehicles are subject to the Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit Diesel-Fueled Commercial Motor Vehicle Idling. Idling restrictions for off-road equipment are set forth in CARB’s In-Use Off-road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation. See https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/atcm-to-limit-vehicle-idling. 9. Fugitive Dust Measures: To reduce the potential for violations of District Rule 345 (Control of Fugitive Dust from Construction and Demolition Activities), Rule 302 (Visible Emissions), and Rule 303 (Nuisance), standard dust mitigations (Attachment A) are recommended for all construction and/or grading activities.

APCD Suggested Conditions for Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project, Project No. 21-2128-DP/CDP April 25, 2025

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10. Diesel Exhaust Measures: The State of California considers particulate matter emitted by diesel engines carcinogenic. Therefore, during project grading, construction, and hauling, construction contracts must specify that contractors shall adhere to the requirements listed in Attachment B to reduce emissions of particulate matter (as well as of ozone precursors) from diesel equipment. Recommended measures should be implemented to the maximum extent feasible.

If you or the project applicant have any questions regarding these comments, please feel free to contact me at (805) 979-8337 or via email at [email protected]. Sincerely, Carly Barham,
Planning Division
Attachments: Fugitive Dust Control Measures
Diesel Particulate and NOx Emission Measures
cc: Planning Chron File
Permitted Sources File SSID 00027 FID 00027

ATTACHMENT A

FUGITIVE DUST CONTROL MEASURES
Projects involving earthmoving activities are expected to manage fugitive dust emissions such that emissions do not exceed APCD’s visible emissions limit (APCD Rule 302), create a public nuisance (APCD Rule 303), and are in compliance with the APCD’s requirements and standards for visible dust (APCD Rule 345). The following measures should be implemented to reduce fugitive dust emissions and impacts.

During construction, use water trucks, sprinkler systems, or dust suppressants in all areas of vehicle movement to prevent dust from leaving the site and from exceeding the APCD’s limit of 20% opacity for greater than 3 minutes in any 60-minute period. When using water, this includes wetting down areas as needed but at least once in the late morning and after work is completed for the day. Increased watering frequency should be required when sustained wind speed exceeds 15 mph. Reclaimed water should be used whenever possible. However, reclaimed water should not be used in or around crops for human consumption.

Onsite vehicle speeds shall be no greater than 15 miles per hour when traveling on unpaved surfaces.

Install and operate a track-out prevention device where vehicles enter and exit unpaved roads onto paved streets.

The track-out prevention device can include any device or combination of devices that are effective at preventing track out of dirt such as gravel pads, pipe-grid track-out control devices, rumble strips, or wheel-washing systems.

If importation, exportation, and stockpiling of fill material is involved, soil stockpiled for more than one day shall be covered, kept moist, or treated with soil binders to prevent dust generation. Trucks transporting fill material to and from the site shall be tarped from the point of origin. The amount of excavated material or waste materials stored at the site should be minimized.

Minimize the amount of disturbed area. After clearing, grading, earthmoving, or excavation is completed, or if previously graded areas remain inactive for more than 10 calendar days, treat the disturbed area by watering, OR using roll-compaction, OR revegetating or hydroseeding, OR by applying non-toxic soil binders until the area is paved or otherwise developed so that dust generation will not occur. All roadways, driveways, sidewalks etc. proposed to be paved should be completed as soon as possible.

Schedule clearing, grading, earthmoving, and excavation activities during periods of low wind speed to the extent feasible. During periods of high winds (>25 mph) clearing, grading, earthmoving, and excavation operations shall be minimized to prevent fugitive dust created by onsite operations from becoming a nuisance or hazard.

The contractor or builder shall designate a person or persons to monitor and document the dust control program requirements to ensure any fugitive dust emissions do not result in a nuisance and to enhance the implementation of the mitigation measures as necessary to prevent transport of dust offsite. Their duties shall include holiday and weekend periods when work may not be in progress.

All measures required by the Lead Agency shall be shown on grading and building plans and/or as a separate information sheet listing the conditions of approval to be recorded with the map prior to grading/building permit issuance and/or map recordation. Conditions shall be adhered to throughout all grading and construction periods. The name and telephone number of a dust control contact shall be provided to the APCD prior to grading/building permit issuance and/or map clearance. The Lead Agency shall ensure measures are on project plans and/or recorded with maps. The Lead Agency staff shall ensure compliance onsite. APCD inspectors will respond to nuisance complaints.

ATTACHMENT B

CONSTRUCTION DIESEL PARTICULATE AND NOX EMISSION REDUCTION MEASURES Particulate emissions from diesel exhaust are classified as carcinogenic by the state of California. The following is a list of regulatory requirements and control strategies that should be implemented to the maximum extent feasible.

The following measures are required by state law:

Portable Engines: All portable diesel-powered construction equipment greater than 50 brake horsepower (bhp) shall be registered with the state’s portable equipment registration program (PERP)1 OR shall obtain an APCD permit.

Off-Road Equipment: Fleet owners of diesel-fueled mobile construction equipment greater than 25 hp are subject to the California Air Resource Board (CARB) In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation2. All off-road vehicles subject to this regulation must use renewable diesel fuel, with some limited exceptions.

Diesel Trucks: Fleet owners of on-road diesel-fueled heavy-duty trucks and buses are subject to CARB’s Heavy-Duty (Tractor-Trailer) Greenhouse Gas Regulation, Periodic Smoke Inspection Program (PSIP), the Statewide Truck and Bus Regulation, and the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation to reduce emissions from trucks and buses.3 Idling: Drivers of diesel-fueled commercial motor vehicles are subject to the Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit Diesel-Fueled Commercial Motor Vehicle Idling.4Idling restrictions for off-road equipment are set forth in CARB’s InUse Off-road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation.

The following measures are recommended:

At a minimum, off-road diesel equipment should be equipped with engines compliant with, or certified to meet or exceed, CARB Tier 4 emission standards. Where available, off-road construction equipment should be zero-emission.

Alternative/renewable fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), or propane should be utilized to the maximum extent feasible when zero-emission is not available. Electric auxiliary power units should be used. The Lead Agency should require commitments to Tier 4 and/or zero-emission equipment in applicable bid documents, purchase orders, and contracts; successful contractors should demonstrate the ability to supply the compliant construction equipment for use prior to any ground-disturbing and construction activities.

On-road heavy-duty equipment with model year 2014 or newer engines, or powered by zero- or near zero-emission technology, should be used whenever feasible.

All portable generators should be powered by a source other than diesel or gasoline (i.e., battery, natural gas, propane, etc.)
All construction equipment should be maintained in tune per the manufacturer’s specifications.

The number of construction equipment operating simultaneously should be minimized through efficient management practices to ensure that the smallest practical number is operating at any one time.

Proposed truck routes should minimize impacts to residential communities and sensitive receptors.

Construction staging areas should be located away from sensitive receptors such that exhaust and other construction emissions do not enter the fresh air intakes to buildings, air conditioners, and windows. Construction activity schedules and hours should be planned and adjusted as feasible to maximize distance from existing sensitive receptors and minimize exposure to air pollution.

Prior to grading/building permit issuance and/or map recordation, all measures required by the Lead Agency shall be shown as conditions of approval on grading/building plans, and/or on a separate sheet to be recorded with the map.

Conditions shall be adhered to throughout grading and construction periods. The contractor shall retain onsite the Certificate of Compliance for CARB’s In-Use Regulation for Off-Road Diesel Vehicles and have it available for inspection.

The Lead Agency shall ensure measures are on project plans and/or recorded with maps and ensure compliance onsite.

APCD inspectors will respond to nuisance complaints. 1
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/portable-equipment-registration-program-perp 2 https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/use-road-diesel-fueled-fleets-regulation 3 https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/truckstop-resources/truckstop 4 https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/atcm-to-limit-vehicle-idling/about

AGENDA ITEM #2
PROJECT #21-2128-DP/CDP

PLANNING COMMISSION

STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: May 5, 2025

ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning PROJECT 21-2128-DP/CDP
Request from Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program to accept and certify the Environmental Impact Report (State Clearing House No. 2022080026), and to grant a Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit for onshore oil and gas facilities removals and remediation; and approval of Facility Decommissioning Plan within City Deeded Tidelands and Issuance of a Lease Quit Claim.

Report prepared by: Luis Perez, Project Manager
MRS Environmental Inc.

SIGNATURE
Reviewed by: Nick Bobroff, Director
Community Development Department

SIGNATURE
Applicant / Owner: Chevron West Coast
Decommissioning Program
Project Location: 5619, 5663, 5675 and 5731
Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, California
93013
APNs: 001-170-003, 004, 014, 020, 021, 022,
023
Zoning: Coastal Industry District (M-CD) and
Recreation (REC)
General Plan Designation: Coastal Dependent
Industry (CDI) and Open Space Recreation
(OS/R)
I. RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the attached Resolution PC-25-001, thereby acting on behalf of the City of Carpinteria as the Lead agency as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), accepting and Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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certifying the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Chevron Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project as having satisfied the procedural and statutory requirements of CEQA; selecting the “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” as the preferred Project; and approving the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit (21-2128-DP/CDP) for the proposed Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project to allow for the Project to occur as detailed in the Project Description below.

II. PROPOSED PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit: A Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit are required to allow the proposed development as described below.

Proposed Project
The Project proposes to demolish and remove the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facility (Facility) including, but not limited to, the onshore portions of the Facility (Onshore Facility), and State Waters Offshore Pipelines, and complete remediation of impacted soils and groundwater at the Facility. Remediation is proposed to comply with levels established in a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) that will be reviewed by the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Services (SBCEHS), Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB), and United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The Project proposal assumes the most stringent clean up levels for the purpose of determining soil excavation and truck trip estimates and therefore a maximum amount of remediation activities (e.g., truck trips, Site activities). The Applicant states remediation efforts will be performed along with preservation of existing Site resources, including mature trees and bluffs, and in coordination with Site constraints including buffer zones adjacent to the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right-of-way (ROW). The most stringent clean up levels would also result in greater flexibility for future development on the Site meeting the most rigorous standards (e.g., unrestricted land use).

Decommissioning and remediation of the Facility will include the following activities:

Onshore Facility
Idling and removal of all existing surface and subsurface equipment, piping, and structures within the Facility;
Removal of concrete foundations, asphalt, oil spray, and road base within the Facility; Excavation/remediation of any impacted soils underlying the Facility in accordance with the Facility’s Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and RAP Addendums, and appropriate regulatory guidance (once approved);
Recycling/disposal of all materials removed from the Project Site(s); and Restoration of portions of the Site in accordance with the Site Restoration Plan (once approved).

Beach Crossing and State Waters Offshore Pipelines
Pig and flush State Waters Offshore Pipelines in preparation for removal; Removal of State Waters Offshore Pipeline segments out to 3-nmi state waters limit; Removal of nearshore beach crossing pipeline segments;
Recycling/disposal of all materials removed from the Project Site(s); and Onshore restoration in accordance with the Site Restoration Plan (once approved).

Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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The Project Site includes the Facility, as well as the State Wates Offshore Pipelines and utilities leading into the Project Site from state waters, as further described below. Within the onshore portion of the Project Site, a number of operational areas/plant areas have been identified that contain idle structures, vessels, and piping proposed for demolition and remediation. The state waters offshore portion of the Project Site contains two primary pipeline and utility bundles that come to shore and lead into the Onshore Facility. Proposed activities within each area are listed below.

Onshore Facilities and Proposed Activities
Main Plant Area (MPA) – Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation; Chevron Pipeline Area (CPA) - Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation;
Former Marketing Terminal Area (FMTA) – Surface facilities demolition and soil remediation;
Former Nursery Area (FNA) – Vacant. No activities proposed. Previously remediated to acceptable cleanup levels;
Shop and Maintenance Area – Surface and subsurface facilities demolition and soil remediation;
Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) Lease Area – Surface facilities demolition and soil remediation;
Peninsula Area - Soil remediation in coordination with SoCalGas facility demolition and City of Carpinteria skate park development;
Buffer Zone Area (BZA)/Drainage Area No. 4 (DA4) – Vacant. No activities proposed.

Previously remediated to acceptable cleanup levels; and Gravel Portion of Pier Parking Lot/FSBA – Surface and subsurface facilities demolition, and soil remediation/subsurface pipeline removal/abandonment in place.

State Waters Offshore Pipelines and Proposed Activities Platform Gail and Grace Pipeline Bundle and 10-inch Oil Pipeline – Removal from top of bluff to 3-nmi state waters limit; and
Marketing and Marine Terminal Pipeline Bundles – Removal offshore through top of bluff.

Onshore pipelines will be abandoned in-place.

A more complete Project Description is included in Section 2, Project Description, of the Final EIR included as Attachment B to this Report.

Environmentally Superior Alternative.

The “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” consists of all the components of the Proposed Project (described above) together with removal of the onshore and nearshore portions of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle, which was abandoned in place as approved by the State Lands Commission during the platform removal project in 1997. This alternative is a revised version of the “Full Removal of Facilities Alternative” described in Section Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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5.3.2 of the Final EIR, but does not include removal and remediation of naturally occurring hydrocarbon seeps, plugging and abandonment of seven existing wells within the Project Site, or removal of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle further from shore, beyond a depth of 30 feet of water.

Comments from the Applicant and others pointed out that the hydrocarbon seeps and historic wells are not required to be remediated by any regulatory agency and are not feasible under the existing Project. The California Coastal Commission has stated that the seeps are a chronic natural occurrence that is part of the environmental setting and would not be considered an impact. The seeps, which include a number of seep areas within the BZA, MSRC Area, MPA, and Pier Parking Lot Area, are natural environmental features resulting from geological conditions. The California Coastal Commission commented that leaving the seeps undisturbed in their natural state would not be inconsistent with the Coastal Act. (California Coastal Commission letter, 1/31/2024). Previous attempts to cement over seeps in southern California have resulted in seeps moving around the cement cap. (Chevron letter, 1/31/2024). Abandonment of the historic wells on the property that were installed and operated by others are not proposed to be affected by the Proposed Project decommissioning activities. The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) advised that the property owner would be responsible for well reabandonment if the property owner proposed construction that would prevent or impede well access, but the Proposed Project is not projected to build over or impede access to the historic wells. (CalGEM letter, 2/1/2024). CalGEM has determined that there is no regulatory requirement for Chevron to plug or abandon the wells as part of the Proposed Project. Accordingly, the City does not have any regulatory authority to require that Chevron decommission these existing historic wells, nor can the City require the applicant to remediate natural seeps.

In response, the City requested and the Applicant has agreed to propose and, if approved, carry out the revised “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” which consists of the original Proposed Project together with partial removal of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle, but does not disturb the naturally occurring seeps or historic wells. Under this alternative, in addition to the Proposed Project, the Applicant would remove a portion of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle, onshore from the base of the bluff and offshore for approximately 1,400 feet, to a depth of 30 feet of water. The rest of the offshore pipeline bundle would remain abandoned in place, with the ends sealed by mechanical plugs. The 30-foot water depth was selected to ensure that the work barge has sufficient water depth to work safely and in accordance with the proposed removal procedures for the adjacent marine terminal pipelines. In addition, the related 36-inch diameter corrugated metal vault located on the bluff would be fully removed.

The “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” would achieve the basic objectives of the Project by accomplishing the components of the original Proposed Project. In addition, removing the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle through the bluffs would prevent future erosion and avoid the pipelines becoming a burden on the public if removal is necessary in the future, as noted by the California Coastal Commission. (California Coastal Commission letter, 1/31/2024).

Figures are attached as Attachment A, Exhibit 2.

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Additional Permit Approvals
Following acceptance and certification of the EIR by the Planning Commission, acting on behalf of the City of Carpinteria as Lead Agency, as having satisfied the requirements of CEQA, additional permits and/or approvals for the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project are required from the following jurisdictions:

Santa Barbara County Department of Planning and Development - Approval of Pipeline Right of Way Lease Agreement within County Deeded Tidelands. Removal of Project components located within County deeded tidelands. Activities within designated coastal zone.

Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Services Department. - Approval of Remedial Action Plan. Establishment of remediation levels for any onshore impacted soil.

Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (SBCAPCD). - Portable Engine Permits for onshore facilities, Contaminated Soil Clean Up, Marine Engine Permits for offshore activities, Storage of ROC-containing liquids or solids, Odor control equipment.

California Coastal Commission (CCC). - Federal Consistency Determination for all Federal approvals and permits. Coastal Development Permit for actions within State Waters. Appeals jurisdiction of Coastal Development Permits issued for onshore activities with the Coastal Zone.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). - Consultation under State Endangered Species Act. Section 1601 approval for work within designated waterways.

Activities affecting State Waters biological resources. Onshore activities affecting onshore biological resources including streams and wetlands.

Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB). - Section 401 certification in association with 404 Permit Approvals. Stormwater permits for all onshore excavations.

Approval of Remedial Action Plan.

California State Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) and the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO). - Consultation under Section 106. Impacts to historic and pre-historic resources.

California State Fire Marshal, Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Division. - Pipeline inspections and safety. Consultation with CalGEM and California State Lands Commission (CSLC).

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (U.S. ACOE). - Issuance of a 404 Permit associated with excavation and related bottom disturbance.

United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). - Consultation under the Endangered Species Act (Section 7) and Issuance of Biological Opinion/Incidental Take Permit (if necessary).

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). - Consultation under the Federal Endangered Species Act, Section 7, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Essential Fish Habitat Assessment. Issuance of Biological Opinion/Incidental Take Permit (if necessary).

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). - Issuance of NPDES permit (if necessary) for offshore discharges. Termination of existing NPDES Permits associated with facility operations. Approval of remedial activities for PCBs.

United States Coast Guard (USCG). - Notice to Mariners for activities that may affect navigable waters.

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III. BACKGROUND
Site Characteristics and Background
Project Setting
The Project Site is located in the City of Carpinteria; access to the Project Site is from U.S.

Highway 101 to Bailard Avenue and west onto Carpinteria Avenue to Dump Road. The Project Site is bisected by Dump Road (a private, two-lane roadway) from west to east, and by the UPRR from north to south. The eastern portion of the Project Site remains predominantly developed by oil and gas processing equipment, ancillary equipment, and other support facilities/buildings. A large above-ground tank (Tank 861) is the predominant feature onsite. The western portion of the Site is primarily open space. The southern third of the Project Site is open space along the bluffs, and two large parking areas utilized in support of the Casitas Pier operations.

The nearshore beach area along Tar Pits Park/Carpinteria State Beach provides public recreational access. A known harbor seal rookery is located approximately 70 feet to the east of Casitas Pier. The City closes public access to the beach from December 1st to May 31st per Carpinteria Municipal Code (CMC) §12.24.090 to avoid human interference with harbor seal pupping at the rookery. However, during the open season, the beach is accessible to the public at low tides from both the west and east. The pipelines and utilities that cross the beach in this area are in some cases above ground, on risers, or are seasonally exposed to view. Offshore water depths range up to 148 feet out to federal waters. The Project Site location, including the State Waters Offshore Pipelines sections, is shown in Attachment A, Exhibit 2 and provides an aerial view of the Facility, beach, and near offshore area.

The Project Site encompasses the Operational Project Areas within Chevron's property (Assessor’s Parcel Numbers [APNs] 001-170-003, 001-170-004, 001-170-014, 001-170-021, 001-170-022, and 001-170-023, totaling approximately ~55 acres). The Project Site also includes a portion of Tar Pits Park (APN 001-170-020), which is crossed by several of the pipelines slated for removal. The Project Site is located on a relatively flat coastal terrace, and slopes slightly downward to the south and west. Coastal bluffs of between 35 and 50 feet in height descend from the terrace to a narrow sand beach. The State Waters Offshore Pipelines previously associated with the Facility are also proposed for removal from the shoreline out to the 3-mile State waters limit offshore within deeded tidelands to the City of Carpinteria and Santa Barbara County. These State Waters Offshore Pipelines are located within State Lease Nos. PRC 3133, 3150, 7911, and 4000 on submerged lands leased from the City (from shore to 2 miles offshore) and County (from 2 to 3 miles offshore).

The Project Site is currently designated Coastal Dependent Industry (CDI) and Open Space/Recreation (OSR), according to the adopted Land Use Map of the City’s General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan (GP/CLUP). The CDI land use category identifies areas for industrial uses that are coastal dependent, such as aquaculture and pipeline/gas processing facilities which support offshore oil industries. The OSR land use category provides for recreational areas (passive or active), including City parks, beaches, gold courses and related uses. It also identifies open space areas.

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Under the City Municipal Code (CMC), the Project Site is zoned Coastal Industry District (MCD). The current zoning designations of the Project Site and surrounding areas are shown in Figure 2-3. The onshore portion of the Project Site is currently developed with the Onshore Facility, open space, a former marketing terminal, and Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) yard/offices north of the UPRR ROW. The onshore Project Site area south of the UPRR ROW is currently utilized for the Casitas Pier parking lot and State Waters Offshore Pipelines landings/bluff crossings.

The Project includes demolition of all existing Facility structures and subsurface remediation of the soils underlying the Facility. Any portions of the Project Site requiring remedial excavation within the Facility will be backfilled, final graded, and planted with native vegetation to match existing contours.

No additional structures will be constructed as part of the Project. Surrounding land uses include the Carpinteria City Hall campus, Carpinteria Avenue, and U.S. Highway 101 to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Concha Loma single-family residential neighborhood to the west, and a public golf driving range, agriculture, and open space to the east.

Site History and Use
The Project Site is located within an area that has been historically utilized for agricultural production and more recently for oil and gas development support activities. Historical agricultural production activities documented at the Project Site from the 1920s through 1959 included dry farming, row crop production, orchards (fruit trees and nuts), and commercial flower production (plant nursery).

Oil and gas processing equipment was initially constructed onsite in the 1950s to support production from the offshore Summerland field developed by the Standard, Humble, and Summerland State (SHSS) joint venture. Oil and gas first flowed through the Project Site in 1959 after the commissioning of offshore Platform Hazel. The processed oil was metered and transferred to Tank 861, a 217,000-barrel capacity above-ground storage tank (AST) with a floating top roof operated by Standard Oil's Pipeline Department (now Chevron Pipeline & Power). Produced gas that flowed to the Project Site from Platform Hazel and later other offshore platforms was processed onsite and then sold to Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) via the Sales Gas Area (pipes, valves, meters, and equipment), which was also constructed in the late 1950s.

Historically, processing levels at the Chevron facility have been as high as 20,000 barrels per day of crude oil and 20 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) per day of natural gas. The Chevron processing plant consisted of offices, production pipelines from offshore platforms, a connected system of product separation, processing, and storage facilities. Processed natural gas from the plant was fed into the SoCalGas network. Processed crude oil and natural gasoline were blended and shipped from the Chevron facility by way of pipeline to Ventura, from where it was piped to refineries in the Los Angeles area.

Historically, refined products and crude oil were also transferred from the Carpinteria facilities via marine tanker. However, the marine terminal, formerly accessed by an offshore mooring, is no longer operational. From 1960 to 1989, the oil and gas plant received oil and gas from several other offshore platforms constructed in the Santa Barbara Channel, including Hilda, Hope, Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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Hazel, and Heidi (Carpinteria Field), and Grace and Gail (Santa Clara Field and Sockeye Field).

Upgrades and additions to the Plant facilities were completed to accommodate the varied quality of the additional oil and gas volume. Abandonment of the wells and decommissioning/removal of offshore Platforms Hazel, Hilda, Hope, and Heidi (4H Platforms) from the Santa Barbara Channel were completed in 1996.

Chevron sold its Santa Barbara Channel assets to Venoco, Inc. in 1998. Although Platform Grace ceased production in 1998, the Plant and Tank 861 continued to receive oil and gas production from Platform Gail until approximately 2017. Chevron purchased the property as part of Venoco bankruptcy proceedings, and is the Operator of record and Applicant for the decommissioning Project.

Architectural Review Board (ARB)
The Project as proposed is a decommissioning project and there is no development proposed that would warrant Architectural Review Board review.

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL
The Project is subject to analysis pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15367, the City is the Lead Agency with principal responsibility for considering the Project for approval (14 California Code of Regulations [CCR] (CEQA Guidelines) 15000 et seq.). An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared to address the environmental impacts associated with the Decommissioning and Remediation of the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facility.

The City, as Lead Agency under the CEQA, determined that the Project required the preparation of an EIR since the Project could have significant environmental effects. CEQA Public Resources Code (PRC) Sections 21000 et seq., requires that all state and local governmental agencies consider the environmental consequences of projects over which they have discretionary authority prior to taking action on those projects. This EIR has been prepared to satisfy CEQA requirements pursuant to PRC Sections 21000-21989 and the CEQA Guidelines, Title 14 of the CCR, Division 6, Chapter 3, Section 15000 et seq.

CEQA requires preparation of an EIR for any project that a Lead Agency determines may have a significant impact on the environment. EIRs are informational documents “which will inform public agency decision-makers and the public generally of the significant environmental effect of a project, identify possible ways to minimize the significant effects, and describe reasonable alternatives to the project” (Guidelines Sec. 15121).

An EIR is a public informational document designed to provide decision-makers and the public with an analysis of the environmental effects of a proposed project, to indicate possible ways to reduce or avoid significant effects, and to describe reasonable alternatives to a project. An EIR must also disclose significant environmental impacts that cannot be avoided, growth-inducing impacts, effects not found to be significant, and significant cumulative impacts of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable probable future projects, as well as mitigation measures, alternatives to the Project, and areas of controversy.

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As an “informational document” (see Section 15121(a) of the CEQA Guidelines) this EIR is intended to inform the City, other public agencies with discretionary authority over aspects of the Project, the general public, the local community, and other organizations, entities, and interested persons of the Project’s scope, significant environmental effects, feasible measures to avoid or minimize the significant effects, and a reasonable range of feasible alternatives to the Project that would avoid or substantially lessen the significant effects. CEQA states that “each public agency shall mitigate or avoid the significant effects on the environment of projects that it carries out or approves whenever it is feasible to do so.” (PRC § 21002.1(b).) The State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15126.6 (e)(2), state that if the environmentally superior alternative is the No Project Alternative, then an environmentally superior alternative must be identified from among the other alternatives.

Before any action may be taken on the Project, the City of Carpinteria, as Lead Agency under CEQA, must certify that it has reviewed and considered the information in the Final EIR (consisting of the Draft EIR, comments submitted during the Draft EIR public review period and responses to all comments), that it has exercised its independent judgment and analysis, and that the Final EIR has been completed in compliance with the requirements of CEQA. Certification of the Final EIR by the Lead Agency does not constitute approval or denial of the Project.

The Planning Commission is responsible for accepting and certifying the Proposed Final EIR as having: 1.) Adequately and accurately described and disclosed all potential project impacts; 2.) Satisfactorily reducing all identified potentially significant environmental effects to less than significant levels through the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures or adopting a statement of overriding considerations for impacts that remain significant and unmitigable; and

3.) Satisfying the procedural and statutory requirements of CEQA. As part of the action in certifying the EIR, the Planning Commission must also select the preferred project from amongst the Proposed Project or project alternatives.

V. ANALYSIS
Environmental Impact Report
On August 1, 2022, the City, as the Lead Agency, issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to inform the general public and agencies that an EIR would be prepared for the Project and to solicit comments on environmental issues to be addressed in the document. The public scoping comment period was extended by 30 days and closed on September 30, 2022. Comments received in response to the NOP were used to further refine the scope of the analysis and the technical studies in this EIR.

The City of Carpinteria issued a Draft EIR on November 30, 2023. The public comment period on the Draft EIR ran through January 31, 2024. The City of Carpinteria held a public comment meeting on December 18, 2023 as part of the Environmental Review Committee (ERC) meeting and comments were received from the public and members of the ERC. The ERC voted 4-0 (ERC Member Erin Maker was absent) to recommend acceptance of the EIR to the Planning Commission with the comments received during the meeting. All comments are responded to as part of Appendix I in the Final EIR, and the Final EIR has been amended as needed in response to the comments.

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The public comments received on the Draft EIR were reviewed and responded to as required by CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines. The Final EIR has been prepared, incorporating all of the comments received, written responses to received comments, and the Draft EIR, along with any changes to the Draft EIR that resulted from the comments received.

The Draft EIR (paper copy form) as well as the Final EIR are available to the general public for review at these locations:

City of Carpinteria Community Development Department
City of Carpinteria Public Library
The Draft EIR and the Final EIR are also available on the City of Carpinteria’s website at:
https://carpinteriaca.gov/city-hall/community-development/oil-gas-information/oil-processingfacility-decommissioning/ Revision marks showing the changes from the Draft EIR are shown in the Final EIR where changes are shown as lines in the margins, and added text is shown underlined. Deleted text is not shown due to formatting issues.

The Final EIR contains the following major sections:

Executive Summary – Provides an overview of the Project, a summary of the significant impacts and associated mitigation measures identified for the Project.

Impact Summary Table – Provides a summary of the identified impacts for the Project. The table also provides a summary of identified mitigation measures for each impact.

Section 1: Introduction – Provides an overview of the Project evaluated in the EIR. This section also discusses agency use of the document and provides a summary of the contents of the EIR.

Section 2: Project Description – Provides objectives stated by Chevron for the Project, and a detailed description of the Project.

Section 3: Cumulative Projects Description – Provides a description of the projects that have been included in the cumulative projects’ analysis. The cumulative analysis contained in this document covers the cumulative impacts of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects located in the vicinity of the Project.

Section 4: Analysis of Environmental Issues – Describes the existing conditions found in the Project area and vicinity and assesses the potential environmental impacts that could occur if the Project were implemented. These potential impacts are compared to various “Thresholds of Significance” (or significance criteria) to determine the severity of the impacts. Mitigation measures intended to reduce significant impacts are identified where feasible.

Section 5: Description of Alternatives/Alternatives Analysis/Environmentally Superior Alternative– Provides descriptions of the proposed alternatives that were considered and rejected for further analysis, and the Project alternatives selected to be evaluated in this document. It also provides an analysis of alternatives to the Project that could lessen any identified significant impacts while still achieving most of the basic Project objectives. It also includes the impact analysis for the alternatives evaluated in the EIR. Finally, it summarizes the environmental advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives compared to the Project, and it identifies the environmentally superior alternative.

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Section 6: Other CEQA-Mandated Sections – Discusses the significant irreversible environmental changes which would be caused by the Project should it be implemented. This section also discusses the growth inducing impacts that may result from the Project and known areas of controversy.

Section 7: Summary of Mitigation Measures and Mitigation Monitoring Program – Contains a listing of all identified mitigation measures that should be included as conditions of Project approval for the Project.

Section 8: List of EIR Preparers, Agencies and Individuals Consulted During EIR Preparation – Identifies and presents the qualifications of those who prepared the document. Lists reference materials used and persons contacted to prepare the document.

The Final EIR also contains a number of appendices that support the EIR and its analysis:

Appendix A – Project Design Information
Appendix B – Air Quality Calculations
Appendix C – Biological Studies
Terrestrial Biological Resources Study for the Decommissioning and Remediation of the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (Padre 2022a, Appendix C-1).

Tree Report for the Decommissioning and Remediation of the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (Padre 2021a, Appendix C-2).

Tree Maintenance and Hazard Reduction Plan (Padre 2023, Appendix C-3).

Wetlands Delineation Report for the Decommissioning and Remediation of the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (Padre 2021b, Appendix C-4).

Marine Resources Biological Report for the Decommissioning and Remediation of the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (Padre 2021c, Appendix C-5).

Carpinteria Harbor Seal Monitoring and Protection Plan for the Decommissioning and Remediation of the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (Padre 2021d, Appendix C6).

Preliminary Revegetation/Restoration Plan for the Decommissioning and Remediation of the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (Padre 2021e, Appendix C-7).

Essential Fish Habitat Assessment for the Decommissioning and Remediation of the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (Padre 2021f, Appendix C-8).

Supplemental Marine Surveys and Habitat Characterization Technical Letter-Report for Carpinteria Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (Padre 2022b, Appendix C-9).

Appendix D – Notice of Preparation, Initial Study, Comments, and Responses Appendix E – Bluff Retreat Evaluation Report
Appendix F – Cultural Resources Assessment (Not available due to sensitive nature) Appendix G – Noise Assessment
Appendix H – Traffic Analysis
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Appendix I – Draft EIR Comments and Responses
Appendix J – Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan
The Final EIR is included as Attachment B. The table below provides a brief description of the impacts and mitigation measures found for the Project.

Table 1 Summary of Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures Issue Area Impact Description Class* Mitigation Measures Aesthetics
A.1 Scenic Vistas III -
A.2 Scenic Resources III -
A.3 Visual Character/Quality III -
A.4 Night Lighting II A.4: Beach/Nearshore Night Lighting Minimization
Air Quality
AQ.1 Standards III -
AQ.2 Odors II AQ.2. Odor Control and Purging Plan
AQ.3 Toxic Air Emissions III -
Biological Resources
Bio.1 Listed Species II
Bio.1a: Agency Approvals
Bio.1b: Habitat Restoration/Revegetation
Plan
Bio.1c: Pre-construction Wildlife Surveys
Bio.1d: Fencing
Bio.1e: Worker Education & Awareness
Plan
Bio.1f: Marine Wildlife Contingency &
Training Plan Implementation
Bio.1g: Harbor Seal Rookery Monitoring
& Protection
Bio.1h: Wildlife Relocation Monitoring
Bio.2 ESHA II
Bio.2a: ESHA Impact Avoidance
Bio.2b: Scrub Mitigation
Bio.2c: Essential Fish Habitat Avoidance
Bio.3 Wetlands II
Bio.3a: Permitting Compliance with
USACE, RWQCB, and CDFW
Requirements
Bio.3b: Wetlands Pre-construction
Survey
Bio.3c: Coastal Wetlands Mitigation and
Monitoring Program
Bio.4 Movement of Wildlife III -
Bio.5 Policy Conflicts II Bio.5: Tree Removal Mitigation Bio.6 Conservation Plan Conflicts III -
Bio.7 Accidental Oil Spills I Bio.7: Oil Spill Contingency Plan Cultural Resources
Cul.1 Known Resource CA-SBA-6 II
Cul.1a: Cultural Resources Management
Plan
Cul.1b: Worker Cultural Resources
Awareness Program
Cul.1c: Cultural Resources Monitoring
Cul.1d: Exclusion Zones
Cul.1e: Phase III Data Recovery
Excavations
Cul.1f: Curation of Project Materials
Cul.2 Human Remains II Cul.2a: On-Call Forensic Anthropologist Cul.2b: Human Remains Discovery
Geology & Soils
Geo.1 Earthquake Fault III -
Geo.2 Erosion II Geo.2: Erosion Control Best
Management Practices
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Table 1 Summary of Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures Issue Area Impact Description Class* Mitigation Measures Geo.3 Sedimentation II Measure Geo.2
Geo.4 Unstable Bluffs II
Geo.4a: Bluff Stabilization Plan
Geo.4b: Bluff Stabilization During
Pipeline Removal
Geo.4c: Bluff Stabilization Following
Pipeline Removal
Geo.5 Expansive Soils III -
Geo.6 Septic Tanks III -
Geo.7 Paleontological/Geologic
Feature II Measures Cul.1a-f
Climate Change &
GHG
GHG.1 GHG Emissions II GHG.1: GHG Emissions Reductions
GHG.2 Plans II Measure GHG.1
Hazardous Materials
& Risk of Upset
Haz.1 Routine Operations II Haz.1: Contaminated Soil Handling Haz.2 Accidental Releases I Haz.2a: Spill Response Planning Haz.2b: Asbestos and Lead Planning
Haz.3 Schools III -
Haz.4 Site Contamination III -
Haz.5 Airports III -
Haz.6 Emergency Response III -
Haz.7 Wildland Fires II Haz.7: Fire Response Planning
Hydrology & Water
Resources
WR.1 Standards I WR.1: Stormwater Pollution
Prevention Plan
WR.2 Groundwater Supplies III -
WR.3 Drainage Patterns III -
WR.4 Pollutants III -
WR.5 Control Plans III -
Land Use & Planning LU.1 Create Divisions III -
LU.2 Policy Conflict III -
Noise & Vibration
N.1 12-hour CNEL III
N.2 Hourly Average Ambient Noise II N.2a: Noise Barriers N.2b: Nighttime Activities
N.3 Vibration III -
N.4 Airport Noise Conflicts III -
Transportation &
Circulation
T.1 Policy Conflicts III -
T.2 VMT III -
T.3 Traffic Hazards III -
T.4 Emergency Access III -
Tribal Cultural
Resources
TCR.1 Tribal Cultural Resources II Measures Cul.1a through Cul.2b TCR.2 Tribal Cultural Resources II Measures Cul.1a through Cul.2b Other All
Ag, Energy, Mineral, Housing,
Public Services, Recreation,
Utilities, Wildfire
III -
*Class I = Significant and Unavoidable; Class II = Less than Significant with Mitigation; Class III = Less than Significant; Class IV = Beneficial.

Alternatives to the Project were developed per CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6. Section 5.0, Environmental Analysis and Comparison of Alternatives, of the Final EIR provides a complete description of all alternatives considered, including an explanation for rejecting potential alternatives for further analysis. In addition, in response to comments made on the Draft EIR, an additional alternative, the “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative,” has been added to this EIR, which is included in the comparative analysis.

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Table 2 below provides a relative comparison of the Class I, Class II, and Class III impacts of each alternative to the Project by issue area and impact.

Table 2 Alternatives Comparison
Issue Area Proposed
Project No Project Full Removal Project plus Hilda and Hazel Pipelines Aesthetics Class III Class III Class II Class III
Air Quality Class II Class III Class II
Biological Resources Class I Class I Class I Class I
Cultural Resources Class II Class II Class II Class II
Geology & Soils Class II Class II Class II Class II
Climate Change & GHG Class II Class II Class II
Hazardous Materials & Risk of Upset Class I Class I Class I Class I Hydrology & Water Resources Class I Class I Class I Class I Land Use & Planning Class III Class II Class IV Class III Noise & Vibration Class II Class II Class II
Transportation & Circulation Class III Class III Class III Tribal Cultural Resources Class II Class II Class II Class II Other Class III Class III Class II Class III
As the discussion above indicates, impacts from the various alternatives and the proposed Project are similar in classification for those impacts that are significant and mitigable. There are also some slight differences in severity as indicated above for those impacts that are significant and mitigable and for those impacts that are less than significant. However, because the “Full Removal Alternative” is not considered feasible and there are no regulatory requirements for this alternative, this alternative is not considered environmentally superior. Finally, although the various alternatives have similar levels of impacts, the reduction of long-term geological impacts to the bluffs from elimination of the additional pipelines under the “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” results in this alternative being the environmentally superior alternative.

Carpinteria Municipal Code, Title 14- Zoning
The discussion below provides an analysis of the project in terms of its compliance with the development standards of Title 14, Zoning, of the Carpinteria Municipal Code (CMC).

Coastal Industry District (M-CD), CMC 14.30
Most of the property that makes up the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility is zoned Coastal Industry District (M-CD). The purpose and intent of the M-CD district is to provide for certain energy and industrial uses that require a site on or adjacent to the sea in order to be able to function at all, while providing standards and conditions that will ensure that environmental damage will be avoided or minimized to the maximum extent feasible. Uses permissible within the M-CD District subject to Development Plan and Coastal Development Plan approval include, but are not limited to, onshore facilities necessary for the exploration, development, production and/or transportation of offshore oil and gas resources, marine terminals required for waterborne shipment of crude oil or petroleum products, oil spill and cleanup facilities, and various accessory or appurtenant structures, equipment and facilities used in the exploration, development or production of oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances. (CMC 14.30.030).

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Most of the major facilities and improvements located within the Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility date to the 1950s, prior to the City’s incorporation and certification of the City’s Local Coastal Program. The original Facility was authorized under the jurisdiction of the County of Santa Barbara; no Development Plan was required at the time. In the absence of an existing Development Plan, staff has required the proposed decommissioning and remediation activities to obtain a Development Plan pursuant to the requirements of the M-CD district. However, as no new structures or improvements are contemplated as part of the proposed Project, which instead seeks to remove existing facilities and improvements, the development standards for the M-CD District would not be applicable to this project.

Recreation District (REC), CMC 14.38
Several of the pipeline bundles proposed for removal or abandonment pass through what is now Tar Pits Park. The construction of these pipeline bundles predate the current Recreation District (REC) zoning designation and use of the area as a public open space. Removal of pipeline segments and associated equipment through Tar Pits Park and across the adjacent sandy beach and shoreline will result in temporary disturbances to the area, including but not limited to, potential impacts to sensitive resources and use by the public for recreational purposes.

Temporary impacts will be minimized to the maximum extent feasible and are not anticipated to result in any permanent loss or impacts to the ongoing use of the area for habitat protection and public recreational use. In fact, the project would have a beneficial impact by removing legal nonconforming equipment and facilities from within the REC-zoned area. Accordingly, the proposed Project can be found consistent with the provisions for the REC District.

Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESH) Overlay District, CMC 14.42 Portions of the Project Site, including but not limited to, areas containing wetlands, native plant communities, butterfly trees, harbor seal rookery and hauling grounds, rocky points and intertidal areas, and subtidal reefs are designated as ESH and are subject to the provisions of the ESH Overlay District. The purpose of the ESH overlay district is to protect and preserve areas in which plant or animal life or their habitats are either rare or especially valuable because of their role in the ecosystem and which could be easily disturbed or degraded by human activities and developments. The intent of this district is to ensure that all development in such areas is designed and carried out in a manner that will provide maximum protection to sensitive habitat areas.

While the proposed project is unique in that it seeks approval to decommission and remove existing facilities and improvements rather than construct new development, decommissioning and remediation activities nevertheless have the potential to harm or impact sensitive resources located within the Project Site. Consistent with the avoidance and minimization standards outlined in the ESH Overlay District for various sensitive resources, the EIR prepared for the project identifies and assesses the significance of potential environmental effects, and identifies feasible mitigation measures to reduce the severity of impacts to sensitive resources to the maximum extent feasible. Additionally, as described in the Project Description, following the decommissioning and removal of existing facilities and improvements, and successful remediation of soils, certain areas of the Facility would be regraded and revegetated with native vegetation. With incorporation of all required mitigation measures, the project can be found to be consistent with the provisions of the ESH Overlay District.

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Coastal Appeals (CA) Overlay District, CMC 14.48
The project is located within the appeals jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission due to its location between the first public road (e.g., Carpinteria Avenue) and the sea. Accordingly, the City’s final local action on the project, either the Planning Commission decision or the City Council action on appeal, would be appealable to the California Coastal Commission. Projects located within the CA Overlay District are subject to the appeals procedures outlined in CMC chapter 14.78.

The portions of the project located seaward of the coastal bluff face (i.e., pipeline removals across the sandy beach and out 3 nm. to the State waters limit fall within the California Coastal Commission’s retained permit jurisdiction and will require approval of a Coastal Development Permit directly from the California Coastal Commission.

Coastal Plan Development Standards, CMC 14.50.010
The Coastal Plan Development Standards chapter of the CMC contains a number of coastal resource protection policies originally adopted as part of the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan that were then incorporated into the Zoning Code to serve as development standards for proposed development in or near areas with known sensitive coastal resources. Development standards address beach and bluff development, hazards, environmentally sensitive habitats, visual impacts of development, and oil and gas facilities and pipelines.

As discussed elsewhere throughout this report, the Project can be found to be generally consistent with the intent of these coastal resource protection policies and standards. The Project involves the decommissioning and removal of an Oil and Gas Facility from within the Carpinteria Bluffs 0 area, including above ground tanks and equipment, and below grade pipelines and facilities that traverse public recreational areas on the bluffs, adjacent sandy beach, intertidal, and nearshore areas. Successful decommissioning and removal of these areas, and remediation of soils in the area would result in net beneficial impacts to sensitive coastal resources in the area. Temporary construction-phase impacts to sensitive habitats and resources can be reasonably mitigated through incorporation of mitigation measures identified in the Project EIR.

General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan
The City of Carpinteria General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan (GP/CLUP) is the primary planning document for the City. Since the City and the onshore Project area are located within the Coastal Zone, and the City's LCP has been certified in accordance with, and enacts the regulation set forth by the California Coastal Act (CCA), the City is the lead permitting agency on behalf of the Project. The offshore Project site is also located within State waters within the coastal zone. The following analysis demonstrates the proposed Project’s consistency with the applicable policies of the City’s GP/CLUP.

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Land Use Element
Policy LU-1d. Ensure that the type, location, and intensity of land uses planned adjacent to any parcel designated open space/recreation or agriculture are compatible with these public resources and will not be detrimental to the resource.

The Project Site is currently zoned coastal dependent industry and recreation. The Project site is not zoned for or utilized in support of agricultural operations. Project activities would remove existing structures and remediate soils onsite; and leave the Project site as graded and recompacted open space or restored with native vegetation. No impact to designated farmlands would result. During demolition and soil excavation, additional dust would be generated that would have the potential to affect adjacent properties along the eastern boundary of the Project site. Implementation of best management practices for dust suppression would minimize dust generation from the Project site and mitigate potential impacts to adjacent agricultural uses.

Decommissioning activities, particularly related to pipeline abandonment or removal through the Tarpits Park and coastal bluff areas, and across the sandy beach in several locations, would have temporary construction impacts to these open space/recreational resources. Mitigation measures have been identified to avoid or reduce impacts to the maximum extent feasible, however temporary disturbances or interruption of public acess through these resource areas cannot be entirely avoided. Nevertheless, the long-term net benefit of the proper decommissioning and abandonment/removal of these facilities would result in a reduction of potential future hazards and access impediments from eroded or exposed facilities.

Objective LU-2. Protect the natural environment within and surrounding Carpinteria.

Policy LU-2b. Regulate all development, including agriculture, to avoid adverse impacts on habitat resources. Standards for habitat protection are established in the Open Space, Recreation, and Conservation Element policies.

The Project is intended to remove existing equipment and subsurface facilities and return the Project Site to pre-developed conditions. North of the UPRR ROW, the western portion of the Project Site will remain as restored open space. The area east of Dump Road will be cleared of equipment, regraded, and compacted. Approximately 60 non-native blue gum eucalyptus trees and 2 Monterey cypress trees will require removal in order to allow for soil restoration in the southeastern corner of the Main Plant Area. However, removal of trees that comprise the Monarch butterfly aggregation area is not proposed, and removal activities would be located at least 800 feet from the aggregation area. Additionally, to avoid impacts to nesting birds, all tree removals would occur outside of the active nesting period. The area(s) south of the UPRR ROW within the bluffs and gravel parking lot area will be cleared of equipment, regraded, and be replanted with a native seed mix in accordance with a restoration plan to establish additional habitat/open space within this area (Mitigation Measures Bio.1a through Bio.7). Pipeline removal would entail temporary construction activity and disturbances on portions of the sandy beach within the Project Site, including in proximity to the Harbor Seal Rookery area. Mitigation measures Bio 1a through 1h are intended to help avoid and minimize impacts to sensitive species, including but not limited to the Harbor Seals, while allowing the decommissioning and remediation activities to be completed.

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The Project would result in removal of an industrial use and equipment and, with site restoration, enhance area habitat resources; therefore, the Project would be consistent with City Land Use Element Objective LU-2 and Policy LU-2b.

Objective LU-3. Preserve the small beach town character of the built environment of Carpinteira, encouraging compatibile revitalization and avoiding sprawl development at the City’s edge.

Policy LU-3k. Prepare a study for the future reuse of the existing Carpinteria oil & gas plant and Bluffs Area 0 (California Coastal Act § 30255, 30260, 30262, 30263). Future reuse of the Carpinteria oil & gas plant and Bluffs Area 0 shall incorporate public access, coastal recreation and open space/habitat restoration uses to the maximum extent feasible, and shall at minimum provide for vertical and lateral public access to and along the Coastal Trail.

The Project would remove existing equipment and subsurface facilities and return the Project Site to pre-developed, natural conditions. As such, the Project would not conflict with any future use or impact future public access, coastal recreation, or open space uses the City may plan for the Project area or Bluffs Area O. Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Land Use Element Objective LU-3 and Policy LU-3k. As part of the City’s update to its General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan, which is currently underway, the future reuse of the Project Site is being studied as part of focused changes to the City’s Land Use Map.

Community Design Element
Objective CD-3. The design of the community should be consistent with the desire to protect views of the mountains and the sea (California Coastal Act of 1976 §30251).

Objective CDS6-2. Ensure that development is controlled to avoid impacts to significant viewsheds, vistas, and view corridors.

The Project would remove industrial structures and tanks from the Project Site and no new structures would be constructed. Therefore, the Project would enhance the existing area viewshed and view corridors.

The Project may result in temporary impacts to views from the presence of construction equipment intermittently for approximately 670 days over the course of approximately three years to remove equipment and remediate the Project Site. Project activities may be visible at the onshore facility while working in open areas not shielded by existing vegetation or windrow trees or on taller facility components; or within areas south of the UPRR along the bluffs, at Tar Pits Park, and offshore. During this time, decommissioning activities may have a temporary impact to aesthetics from the viewshed along U.S. Highway 101 and Carpinteria Avenue, to passengers on the UPRR, and to recreational users along the bluff trails, Tar Pits Park, the beach or vessels offshore. These potential impacts would be short-term and temporary and not cause a significant impact to viewsheds or view corridors.

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and southern portion of the Chevron Pipeline Area, with 40 of the trees to be removed part of the north-south oriented windrow along the eastern Project Site boundary. This windrow is composed of two parallel rows of trees, with the outer row (eastern) unaffected by the Project.

Therefore, the visual barrier along the eastern Project Site boundary would be retained.

The Project would enhance the existing viewshed and, as a result, would be consistent with Community Design Element Objectives CD-3 and CDS6-2.

Policy CDS6-b. Development on the Bluffs shall not obstruct existing view corridors of the ocean and bluff top edge. In addition, views of the ocean and mountains for users of the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Park and coastal trail(s), for bluffs area property owners and visitors, and for passing motorists, shall be maintained.

The Project would remove industrial equipment from the Project Site and return the area to predeveloped natural conditions. The Project does not involve any development on the Bluffs.

Therefore, the Project would enhance the existing viewshed in the Bluffs area including views of the ocean, mountains, and coastal trails. Thus, the Project would be consistent with Community Design Element Policy CDS6-b.

Objective CD-12. Development should fit quietly into the area’s natural and introduced landscape, deferring to open spaces, existing natural features, and native and sensitive habitats.

Policy CD-12a. Landscape plantings shall be respectful of the natural character of the City and enhance existing native plant communities and environmentally sensitive habitat areas.

Policy CDS6-d. Landscape planning shall be respectful of the natural character of the Bluffs and enhance existing native plant communities and environmentally sensitive habitat areas.

The Project would remove industrial equipment from the Project Site and return the area to predeveloped natural conditions. The Project proposes to restore the Project Site, including the Bluffs area, with native plants and trees; all restoration and landscaping would be completed under a restoration plan that would be submitted to, reviewed, and approved by the City.

As the landscaping plan would utilize native plants and would be completed under a restoration plan approved by the City, the Project would be consistent with Community Design Element Objective CD-12 and Policies CD-12a and CDS6-d (Mitigation Measure Bio.1b).

Policy CDS6-e. Exterior and interior lighting of development projects shall be low intensity and designed so as to minimize direct view of light sources and diffusers, and to minimize halo and spillover effects.

The Project proposes to conduct work activities predominantly during daytime hours with some nighttime operations required to take advantage of tide and weather conditions. Nighttime lighting would also occur with offshore lighting associated with safe vessel operations or portable light towers to facilitate safe working conditions onshore until work activities are completed in the early evening. Mitigation Measure A.4 is intended to limit and minimize potential impacts from night lighting for work occurring on the sandy beach or nearshore, where pipeline removal work may be tidally or condition-dependent.

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Therefore, nighttime work illumination could impact adjacent recreational users, and the adjacent Concha Loma neighborhood, however, these potential light impacts would be shortterm and temporary. Lighting from Project activities is not expected to be visible from Carpinteria Avenue or U.S. Highway 101 due to existing vegetation and fencing located on the northern boundary of the Project Site that would block these views.

The Project does not involve the installation of any permanent lighting sources; therefore, the Project would be consistent with Community Design Element CDS6-e.

Policy CD-13a. Lighting for development adjacent to an ESHA shall be designed to further minimize potential impacts to habitat.

Policy CD-13b. Lighting shall be low intensity and located and designed so as to minimize direct view of light sources and diffusers and to minimize halo and spillover effects.

The Project does not involve the installation of any permanent lighting sources; therefore, the Project would be consistent with Community Design Element Policies CD-13a and 13b.

Temporary night lighting impacts associated with the potential for limited nighttime work to allow for the removal of the pipelines from across the sandy beach and nearshore waters would be limited and minimized through the incorporation of Mitigation Measure A.4. Night Lighting.

Circulation Element
Policy C-3h. Require all new projects to demonstrate safe traffic flow integration with the Master Plan of Streets as well as street/drainage improvements function. This shall include construction traffic and the designation of construction routes.

Policy C-3k. Segregate by design, enforcement and traffic pattern, routes of significant industrial and residential conflict.

Objective C-5. Provide a system of safe and functional truck routes.

The Project would not introduce any permanent structures or facilities that would result in a permanent increase to existing traffic flow or impact existing street drainage function.

The Project would generate temporary vehicle trips during decommissioning and remediation activities including truck trips for contaminated soil removal. Based on the traffic study provided by the Applicant (FEIR Appendix H), the Project would generate 62 vehicle trips per day associated with worker transportation and trucking activities.

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) issued a technical guidance document on evaluation of transportation impacts for CEQA (Technical Guidance on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA, December 2018) providing a 110 vehicle trips per day significance threshold, and Project temporary traffic impacts would be below the OPR threshold.

In addition, the Project proposes to route truck trips both to and from the Project Site along Carpinteria Avenue to the Bailard Avenue on/off ramp to U.S. Highway 101, thus avoiding truck traffic west on Carpinteria Avenue from the Project Site to the downtown portion of the City.

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The Project would be consistent with Circulation Element Policies C-3h and C-3k, and Objective C-5 because it does not involve any permanent traffic sources, temporary traffic impacts are below the OPR threshold, and construction traffic would be routed away from the City.

Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element
Objective OSC-1. Protect, preserve and enhance local natural resources and habitats.

Policy OSC-1a. Protect Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA) from development and maintain them as natural open space or passive recreational areas.

The Project does not involve any permanent development in an ESHA, open space, or recreational area. Rather, the Project would result in removal of an industrial use and equipment and, with site restoration following temporary construction disturbances, establish additional habitat/open space within the area. Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Objective OSC-1 and Policy OSC-1a. In addition, the implementation of Mitigation Measures Bio.2a- 2c would mitigate impacts to ESHAs to less than significant.

Policy OSC-1b. Prohibit activities, including development, that could damage or destroy ESHA.

The Project does not involve any permanent development in an ESHA and would result in removal of an industrial use and equipment and, with site restoration, establish additional habitat/open space within the area. In addition, the implementation of Mitigation Measures Bio.2a- 2c would mitigate impacts to ESHAs to less than significant. Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-1b.

Policy OSC-1c. Establish and support preservation and restoration programs for ESHA, including but not limited to Carpinteria Creek, Carpinteria Bluffs, Carpinteria Salt Marsh, seal rookery, Carpinteria reef, Pismo clam beds and the intertidal zones along the shoreline.

The Project would result in removal of an industrial use and equipment (pipelines) on the Carpinteria Bluffs, the seal rookery, near shore, intertidal, and offshore areas. Removal of this industrial infrastructure along with associated City approved restoration efforts would support the Project Site ESHAs consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-1c. In addition, the implementation of Mitigation Measures Bio.2a- 2c would mitigate impacts to ESHAs to less than significant.

Objective OSC-2. Preserve and restore the natural resources of the Carpinteria Bluffs.

As noted above, the Project would result in removal and restoration of an industrial use and equipment (pipelines) on the Carpinteria Bluffs consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Objective OSC-2.

Policy OSC-2c. Preserve all coastal bluff scrub habitat designated as open space with an appropriate buffer.

The Project would result in removal and restoration of an industrial use and equipment (pipelines) on the Carpinteria Bluffs thus removing infrastructure from coastal bluff scrub Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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habitat. Disturbed areas would be revegetated and restored with native bluff scrub plantings, thereby supporting efforts to preserve such areas along the Carpinteria Bluffs. Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC2c.

Policy OSC-2f. Protect significant historical and archaeological resources within the Bluffs Area.

The Project Site is in an area considered sensitive for archaeological resources and therefore there is a potential for the Project to impact onshore archaeological resources. These potential impacts may include the Bluffs Area. The Applicant has proposed a number of measures to minimize potential impacts including a cultural resources management plan, a worker cultural resources awareness program, cultural resources monitoring, exclusion zones, the use of an oncall forensic anthropologist, curation of discovered materials, and Phase III data recovery excavations if necessary (Mitigation Measures Cul.1a through Cul.2b).

With the measures noted above to protect potential archaeological, paleontological, and cultural resources the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-2f.

Policy OSC-2h. Preserve public enjoyment of Carpinteria Bluff view sheds by ensuring that they are not significantly degraded through development. All development applications shall be required to provide information adequate to identify existing and future public views and to demonstrate how the project proposes to avoid significant disruption of the view sheds identified.

The location, size and density of development on the Bluffs shall be determined in part by the view sheds identified and what is necessary to protect them.

The Project would remove industrial structures and tanks from the Project Site, and no new structures would be constructed. Therefore, the Project would enhance the existing area viewshed and view corridors including the Carpinteria Bluff viewshed.

The Project may result in temporary impacts to views from the presence of construction equipment intermittently for approximately 670 days over the course of approximately three years to remove equipment and remediate the Project Site. Project activities may be visible at the onshore facility while working in open areas not shielded by existing vegetation or windrow trees or on taller facility components; or within areas south of the UPRR along the bluffs, at Tar Pits Park, and offshore. During this time, decommissioning activities may have a temporary impact to aesthetics from the viewshed along U.S. Highway 101 and Carpinteria Avenue, to passengers on the UPRR, and to recreational users along the bluff trails, Tar Pits Park, beach, or vessels offshore. These potential impacts would be short-term and temporary, and not cause a significant impact to viewsheds or view corridors.

The Project includes removal of approximately four percent of the trees on the Project Site (62 of 1,500 present). Tree removal would be limited to the southeastern corner of the Main Plant Area and southern portion of the Chevron Pipeline Area, with 40 of the trees to be removed part of the north-south oriented windrow along the eastern Project Site boundary. This windrow is composed of two parallel rows of trees, with the outer row (eastern) unaffected by the Project.

Therefore, the visual barrier along the eastern Project Site boundary would be retained.

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As the result of the Project would enhance the existing viewshed, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-2h Policy OSC-2i. Preserve all windrow trees as one part of a contiguous and naturally preserved open space system across the whole of the Carpinteria Bluffs. Thinning, pruning and removal of trees shall be limited to what is necessary to maintain the trees in a healthful condition and to remove any hazardous condition. When a tree is approved by the City for removal, it shall be required to be replaced at a ratio appropriate to ensure infill of any gap created in the windrow and with a native, locally occurring tree, type and size to be approved by the City. Replacement trees that fail to survive within the first five years after planting shall be replaced. Programs for phased removal and replacement of tamarisk windrows with native tree windrows are encouraged. Development or other activity proposed on parcels including windrows shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the drip line of the trees and shall not result in compacting of soil or other potential damage to the trees’ root system or water source.

Therefore, the visual barrier along the eastern Project Site boundary would be retained.

Project tree removal would be approved by the City as part of the review and permitting of the Project and any replacement trees or other mitigation is included as part of Mitigation Measure Bio.5. The Project does not involve any permanent development on parcels with windrows. The Project would therefore be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-2i.

Objective OSC-3. Preserve and restore wetlands such as the Carpinteria Salt Marsh.

Policy OSC-3c. Development adjacent to the required buffer around wetlands should not result in adverse impacts including but not limited to sediment, runoff, chemical and fertilizer contamination, noise, light pollution and other disturbances.

The Project does not involve any permanent development adjacent to a wetland buffer; however, the Project has the potential to impact two wetland areas during equipment removal.

Removal of Tank 861 and related earthwork in the Chevron Pipeline Area and pipeline removal along the bluff face in the western portion of the Pier Parking Lot Area would impact Wetland W-1 and Wetland W-5, respectively, as identified in the Project EIR. The Applicant has proposed the expansion of the existing wetland within the Drainage Area 4 to mitigate these impacts and proposes to provide the City with a coastal wetlands mitigation plan.

Project activities would also have the potential for impacts to wetland areas from impacts to surface water quality from equipment removal and grading. These potential impacts would be minimized through the use of engineering controls/BMPs, the implementation of a SWPPP, and a State Water Resources Control Board’s Statewide Construction General Permit.

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With the Applicant-proposed measures and the adoption of Mitigation Measures Bio.3a- 3c, and City approval of the same and the measures to minimize sediment, runoff, and other temporary disturbances, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-3c.

Objective OSC-4. Preserve the biological diversity of shoreline habitats.

Policy OSC-4a. Protect the marine resources of the Carpinteria tidepools and Reef and other rocky reefs and intertidal areas. If evidence of depletion of these resources is presented, work with the California Department of Fish and Game to assess the extent of damage and implement mitigating measures.

Offshore and intertidal pipeline removal activities would be limited to the pipeline corridor areas only; removal of these pipelines would be a net benefit to these marine resources. Pipeline removal activities, including vessel anchor placement/retrieval would be conducted in accordance with a Project-specific anchoring plan to avoid areas of known kelp beds and rocky reef habitats. Pipeline removal activities across the sandy beach would be staged and completed in a manner to reduce impacts to the maximum extent feasible, subject to any permit conditions from the California Coastal Commission. Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Objective OSC-4 and Policy OSC-4a.

Objective OSC-5. Protect the Harbor Seal Hauling Ground from human disturbance.

Policy OSC-5a. Harbor Seal Hauling Grounds should not be altered or disturbed by recreational, industrial, or any other uses. Emergency maintenance or repair of existing pipelines in the vicinity of the adjacent Carpinteria oil & gas plant pier should be permitted as necessary, as long as disturbances to the harbor seal hauling grounds are minimized. Such repairs should be limited to the period of June 1 to November 30 if possible.

The Carpinteria harbor seal rookery is located within the Project Site on the east side of the Gail and Grace pipeline bundle and the 10-inch oil pipeline on risers. Project decommissioning activities, including removal of cement armaments and cutting of the pipe into sections and pulling of pipe sections offshore, have the potential to cause disturbance to harbor seals if they are hauled-out on the beach during Project activities. Therefore, the Project is not scheduled to conduct these activities during the period of December 1 through May 31. In addition, the adoption of Mitigation Measure Bio.1g would provide a Harbor Seal Rookery Monitoring and Protection Plan for all Project-related activities within 1,000 feet of the haul-out/rookery.

With the Project schedule to avoid the harbor seal haul out season and City approval of a Harbor Seal Rookery Monitoring and Protection Plan, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Objective OSC-5 and Policy OSC-5a. Decommissioning activities would also be required to comply with any relevant additional permit conditions of other regulatory agencies with oversight authority of the harbor seals and/or decommissioning activities within nearshore waters (Mitigation Measure Bio. 1a).

Objective OSC-6. Preserve the natural environmental qualities of creekways and protect riparian habitat.

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Policy OSC-6e. Natural drainage patterns and runoff rates and volumes shall be preserved to the greatest degree feasible by minimizing changes to natural topography and minimizing the areas of impervious surfaces created by new development.

The Project proposes to remove equipment, concrete foundations, and asphalt and oil sprayed areas which would reduce the existing amount of impervious surfaces. The Project also would regrade the site area back to pre-development natural topography and does not involve any alteration to existing drainage patterns. Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Objective OSC-6 and Policy OSC-6e.

Policy OSC-6f. All development shall be evaluated for potential adverse impacts to water quality and shall consider Site Design, Source Control and Treatment Control BMPs in order to minimize polluted runoff and water quality impacts resulting from the development. In order to maximize the reduction of water quality impacts, BMPs should be incorporated into the project design in the following progression: (1) Site Design BMPs, (2) Source Control BMPs, and (3) Treatment Control BMPs.

The Project would include a remedial action plan and a SWPPP in accordance with mitigation Measure WR.1. These plans would include controls, mitigation measures, and BMPs that would minimize the potential for releases of diesel fuel, gasoline, coolant, hydraulic oil, and lubricants associated with the use of heavy construction equipment. Water associated with flushing or cleaning of facility infrastructure would be contained and disposed under a Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) permit, to the Carpinteria Sanitary District municipal wastewater collection system under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit or would be trucked offsite to an approved hazardous waste landfill. In addition, the Project would include an OSCRP to minimize the impact of any spills.

The flushing and removal of offshore pipeline segment has the potential to impact marine waters.

The Project Applicant maintains an agreement with MSRC (spill response co-op) for spill response support services. With the spill response capabilities of MSRC and the implementation of the Project OSCRP, potential impacts to marine waters would be minimized.

Erosion and sedimentation impacts resulting from decommissioning, remediation and earthwork activities would be addressed through mitigation measure GEO. 2, which requires implementation of erosion control best management practices.

As the Project includes controls, mitigation measures, and BMPs to minimize potential runoff and would be completed under permits from the City, the RWQCB, and the NPDES, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-6f.

Objective OSC-7. Conserve native plant communities.

Policy OSC-7a. Oak trees and oak woodlands, because they are particularly sensitive to environmental conditions, as well as walnut, sycamore, and other native trees, shall be protected through appropriate development standards.

No native trees are proposed for removal as part of the Project. Decommissioned and remediated areas would be replanted and restored with native vegetation; therefore, the Project would be Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Objective OSC-7 and Policy OSC-7a.

Policy OSC-7b. When sites are graded or developed, areas with significant amounts of native vegetation shall be preserved. Structures shall be sited and designed to minimize the impact of grading, paving construction of roads, runoff and erosion on native vegetation. Sensitive resources that exhibit any level of disturbance shall be maintained, and if feasible, restored. New development shall include measures to restore any disturbed or degraded habitat on the project site. Cut and fill slopes and all areas disturbed by construction activities shall be landscaped or revegetated at the completion of grading. Plantings shall be of native, drought-tolerant plant species consistent with the existing native vegetation on the site. Invasive plant species that tend to supplant native species shall be prohibited.

The Project is intended to remove existing equipment and subsurface facilities and return the Project Site to pre-developed conditions. Grading activities would return the Project Site to predevelopment natural topography. No structures, paving, roads, or other infrastructure is proposed for the Project. The Project would include a site restoration plan, to be approved by the City, that includes the use of native, drought-tolerant plant species consistent with the native vegetation on the Project Site. Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-7b.

Objective OSC-8. Protect and conserve Monarch Butterfly tree habitat.

OSC-8a. Protect trees supporting Monarch butterfly populations.

The Project does not include disturbance or removal of any trees observed during past biological surveys to contain Monarch butterfly populations (aggregations). The Project includes some nonnative tree removal; however, the trees proposed for removal are located 800 feet from the known aggregation areas and would not be expected to impact the aggregations. In addition, the Applicant has proposed a compliance plan to avoid the Monarch butterfly; the plan would be approved by the City prior to initiation of the Project. The plan would include surveys in the aggregation area(s) by a qualified biologist prior to any work activity from October through December and if roosting Monarch butterflies are found, work within 50 feet of the aggregation area tree canopy perimeter would be postponed until the Monarch butterflies have abandoned the aggregation area. Therefore, trees supporting the Monarch butterfly in the Project area would be protected and the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Objective OSC-8 and Policy OSC-8a.

Policy OSC-10a. Minimize the erosion and contamination of beaches. Minimize the sedimentation, channelization and contamination of surface water bodies.

Beach and intertidal pipeline removal activities would be limited to the pipeline corridor areas only; removal of these pipelines would be a net benefit to these marine resources.

To prevent sedimentation or contamination of surface water bodies, the Project would include a remedial action plan and a SWPPP as part of Mitigation Measure WR.1. These plans would include controls, mitigation measures, and BMPs that would minimize the potential for releases of diesel fuel, gasoline, coolant, hydraulic oil, and lubricants associated with the use of heavy construction equipment. Water associated with flushing or cleaning of facility infrastructure Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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would be contained and disposed under a RWQCB permit, to the Carpinteria Sanitary District municipal wastewater collection system under a NPDES permit or would be trucked offsite to an approved hazardous waste landfill. In addition, the Project would include an OSCRP to minimize the impact of any spills. The Project would return the Project Site to pre-development natural topography and thus would not cause channelization of a surface water body. Thus, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-10a.

Policy OSC-10c. Degradation of the water quality of groundwater basins, nearby streams or wetlands, or any other waterbody shall not result from development. Pollutants such as sediments, litter, metals, nutrients, chemicals, fuels or other petroleum hydrocarbons, lubricants, raw sewage, organic matter and other harmful waste shall not be discharged into or alongside any waterbody during or after construction.

The Project includes a remedial action plan that includes controls, mitigation measures, and BMPs that would minimize the potential for releases of diesel fuel, gasoline, coolant, hydraulic oil, and lubricants associated with the use of heavy construction equipment. Water associated with flushing or cleaning of facility infrastructure would be contained and disposed under a RWQCB permit to the Carpinteria Sanitary District municipal wastewater collection system under a NPDES permit or would be trucked offsite to an approved hazardous waste landfill.

Potential erosion and sedimentation impacts would be avoided and mitigated through implementation of erosion control best management practices pursuant to mitigation measure GEO. 2.

The Project would not be expected to impact waters of the Carpinteria Groundwater Basin aquifer because those aquifers are located well below the depth of Project excavations.

Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-10c.

Objective OSC-11. Carpinteria will conduct its planning and administrative activities so as to maintain the best possible air quality.

The Project applicant included a number of measures as part of the planning for the Project to include modern tier engines to reduce emissions to the highest extent possible. In addition, the Project has been reviewed and conditioned by the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to include measures to reduce potential emissions consistent with this Policy.

Policy OSC-11a. Carefully review development that will significantly impact air quality.

The Project has been extensively reviewed as part of the EIR and by the APCD to include measures to reduce emissions to the highest extent feasible consistent with this policy. The Project is temporary in nature and will not result in long term emissions. Construction emissions are considered significant but mitigable with the addition of the mitigation measures and proposed conditions of approval.

Policy OSC-12b. Work with the oil and gas plant operator(s) to remove obsolete equipment, to upgrade all facilities to current safety standards, and to consolidate activities in order to eliminate redundancy.

Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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The Project is to remove the oil and gas plant equipment, associated onshore and offshore pipelines and return the Project Site to pre-development natural topography; therefore, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC12c.

Objective OSC-13. Preserve Carpinteria’s visual resources.

Policy OSC-13g. Require new development to protect scenic resources by utilizing natural landforms and native vegetation for screening structures, access roads, building foundations, and cut and fill slopes in project design which otherwise complies with visual resource protection policies.

Policy OSC-13h. Plans for development shall minimize cut and fill operations. Plans that do not minimize cut and fill shall be denied.

Policy OSC-13i. Design all development to fit the site topography, soils, geology, hydrology, and other existing conditions and be oriented so that grading and other site preparation is kept to an absolute minimum. Preserve all natural landforms, natural drainage systems, and native vegetation. Require all areas on the site not suited to development, as evidenced by competent soils, geology and hydrology investigation and reports remain as open space.

As described elsewhere in this report, the Project involves the decommissioning and removal of surface and sub-surface equipment and facilities (including pipelines) associated with the former Oil and Gas Facility. Removal of above ground tanks and equipment, and associated improvements would result in a net benefit to the visual resource quality of the area. Areas where decommissioning and soils remediation occur would be regraded to restore the area to its predevelopment historical topography and drainage patterns, and replanted with native vegetation appropriate to the bluffs setting. Accordingly, the Project can be found consistent with the above Objective and related Policies.

Policy OSC-14b. Provide for passive recreation uses of natural open space areas, such as along creeks and the Bluffs 1 areas, where such uses would not damage the resources being protected.

The Project area(s) south of the UPRR ROW within the bluffs and gravel parking lot area would be cleared of equipment, regraded, and planted with native seed mix to establish additional habitat/open space within this area. The Project would not conflict with passive recreation of natural open spaces, area creeks, or the Bluffs 1 area and would therefore be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Policy OSC-14b.

Policy OSC-14f. No unrelated development shall be permitted in publicly owned recreational areas except pipelines to serve coastal dependent industrial uses when no alternative route is feasible.

As part of the Project, existing below grade pipelines that traverse publicly-owned sections of the bluffs in Tar Pits Park and the adjacent sandy beach areas, would be abandoned in place and/or removed; thereby resulting in a net benefit to public recreational areas by reducing potential future exposure to hazards.

Objective OSC-16. Preserve Carpinteria’s cultural resources.

Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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Policy OSC-16a. Carefully review any development that may disturb important archaeological or historically valuable sites.

The Project Site is in an area considered sensitive for archaeological resources and therefore there is a potential for the Project to impact onshore archaeological resources. The Applicant has proposed a number of measures to minimize potential impacts including a cultural resources management plan, a worker cultural resources awareness Program, cultural resources monitoring, exclusion zones, the use of an on-call forensic anthropologist, curation of discovered materials, and Phase III data recovery excavations if necessary. (Mitigation Measures Cul.1a through Cul.2b.) No known shipwrecks or sites occur in the offshore Project area.

With the measures noted above to protect potential archaeological, paleontological, and cultural resources, the Project would be consistent with Open Space, Recreation & Conservation Element Objective OSC-16 and Policy OSC-16a.

Safety Element
Policy S-2b. Building improvements and other development including any irrigated landscape areas shall be setback sufficiently to protect the development and all associated improvements from bluff failure and bluff retreat over a 100-year term.

The Project does not involve any building improvements or other permanent infrastructure development. No landscape irrigation is proposed for the Project. Restoration in the bluff area(s) would be completed pursuant to a restoration plan approved by the City; the restoration plan would address bluff issues and bluff retreat. (Mitigation Measures Geo.4a, 4b, and 4c.) Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Safety Element Policy S-2b. Removal of pipeline segments that cross the coastal bluff and sandy beach in several locations would reduce potential future hazards associated with exposure of these facilities as a result of ongoing erosional processes of the sandy beach and/or coastal bluff face.

Policy S-6b. City policies concerning the use, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials, and regarding underground or above-ground storage tanks shall reflect the County of Santa Barbara and the State Regional Water Quality Control Board policies and requirements and shall ensure that the use, storage, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials does not result in hazardous discharge or runoff.

The Project does not involve the use, storage, or distribution of hazardous materials and removes an industrial source that included the use of such materials. The Project would remove an AST and other infrastructure associated with the use and storage of hazardous materials.

The Project would include permitting and oversight by the City and the RWQCB and would thus be consistent with those agencies and Santa Barbara County policies on hazardous materials. The Project would include an OSCRP to minimize the impact of any spills and a SWPPP to prevent hazardous material discharge or runoff. (Mitigation Measure Haz.2 and Mitigation Measure WR.1.) Therefore, the Project would be consistent with agency polices and requirements of hazardous materials and Safety Element Policy S-6b.

Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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Noise Element
Objective N-4. Minimize noise spillover from industrial operations into adjacent residential neighborhoods and other sensitive uses.

The Project does not involve the development of an industrial operation; therefore, the Project would be consistent with Noise Element Objective N-4.

Policy N-5b. The City will require that construction activities adjacent to sensitive noise receptors be limited as necessary to prevent adverse noise impacts.

The Applicant provided a noise management plan that included a noise assessment with the application submittal materials. The assessment modeled construction noise and determined noise from construction equipment would not exceed the City’s 75 A-weighted decibel (dBA) Community Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) construction noise standard. In addition, the study calculated that the increase over existing ambient noise levels from the Project construction activities would be less than 2 dBA and thus would not exceed City thresholds for temporary construction noise. Nighttime construction activities may be necessary in the surf zone due to tidal access issues; however, these activities would be temporary and short term. Therefore, the Project would be consistent with Noise Element Policy N-5b.

Policy N-5c: The City will require that construction activities employ techniques that minimize the noise impacts on adjacent uses.

Noise from construction activities is not expected to exceed City thresholds for construction noise; therefore, the Project would be consistent with Noise Element Policy N-5c. However, the Project would result in the generation of a temporary increase in hourly average ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the Project. As a result, mitigation measures N.2a, Noise Barriers, and N.2b, Nighttime Activities, would serve to reduce any impact to less than significant.

The City’s standard conditions relating to construction timing and noise attenuation have been included in the attached Conditions of Approval.

VI. DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES
No new structures are proposed as part of the described decommissioning project. Accordingly, the project would not be subject to payment of any City Development Impact Fees (DIFs). The project may, however, be subject to payment of permit or mitigation fees from other special districts and agencies with permitting or regulatory authority over portions of the project.

VII. ACTION OPTIONS

1. Adopt Resolution PC-25-001, thereby accepting and certifying the EIR for the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project as having satisfied the procedural and statutory requirements of CEQA; selecting the “Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative” as the preferred Project; and approving Project 21-2128- DP/CDP to allow the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project PC Hearing Date: 05-05-2025

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and adopt the Findings in Attachment A, Exhibit 1 and Conditions of Approval as proposed in Attachment A, Exhibit 3. (staff’s recommendation)

2. Direct the applicant to prepare project revisions and return to the next Commission meeting.

3. Conceptually deny the project as proposed. Direct staff to return with findings for denial to the Planning Commission’s next meeting.

VIII. ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A Resolution PC-25-001
Exhibit 1 – Findings for Approval
Exhibit 2 – Figures
Exhibit 3 – Recommended Conditions of Approval
Attachment B Proposed Final EIR

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001

A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF

CARPINTERIA APPROVING DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND COASTAL
DEVELOPMENT PERMIT NO. 21-2128-DP/CDP FOR THE CHEVRON

CARPINTERIA OIL AND GAS FACILITY DECOMMISSIONING PROJECT LOCATED AT 5619, 5663, 5675 AND 5731 CARPINTERIA AVENUE, CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA 93013. APNs: 001-170-003, 004, 014, 020, 021, 022, 023

REQUESTED BY CHEVRON WEST COAST DECOMMISSIONING PROGRAM WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Carpinteria has considered an application for a Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit filed by Chevron West Coast Decommissioning Program on October 25, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the application was subsequently deemed complete and accepted by the City as being consistent with the applicable submittal requirements on March 8, 2022; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has conducted a noticed public hearing and received evidence regarding the application for the Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act, an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) dated April 2025 has been prepared for the project and has been noticed and subject to public review as required under CEQA; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed the policies of the General Plan/Coastal Plan and the Zoning Code standards that are relevant to the project.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

1. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) dated April 2025 prepared for the Project has been reviewed by the City, reflects the City’s independent judgment and analysis, and is certified as having satisfied the procedural and statutory requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

2. The Development Plan/Coastal Development Permit is approved for the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative Project making the findings outlined in Exhibit 1.

3. The Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit is approved for the Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative Project consistent with the plans RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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shown in Exhibit 2 and subject to the project conditions of approval set forth in Exhibit 3.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of May 2025, by the following vote:

AYES: COMMISSIONERS:

NOES: COMMISSIONER(S):

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER(S):

ABSTAIN: COMMISSIONER(S): ________________________
John Moyer, Vice-Chair
ATTEST: ________________________ Nick Bobroff, Secretary I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of Carpinteria held the 5th day of May 2025.

EXHIBIT 1: FINDINGS FOR APPROVAL

PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING
PROJECT NO. 21-2128-DP/CDP
May 5, 2025
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project

FINDINGS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE, LOCAL COASTAL PLAN, GENERAL PLAN, AND TITLE 14 OF THE CARPINTERIA MUNICIPAL CODE

1.0 Administrative Findings
The Planning Commission hereby incorporates by reference as though set forth in full all Community Development Department staff reports and attachments thereto presented to the Planning Commission and all comments made or received either orally or in writing at the public hearings on this project and the associated Environmental Impact Report.

1.1 Procedures
Pursuant to the California Coastal Act, the Administrative Regulations of the California Coastal Commission and the City of Carpinteria’s (“City”) Local Coastal Program, it has been found that the process for public review of the subject Local Coastal Development Permit has been properly conducted as follows:
a. An application for a Development Plan and Coastal Development Permit was submitted on October 25, 2021, and deemed complete and accepted by the City as being consistent with the applicable submittal requirements on March 8, 2022. Said application and all related material have been available for public review at City offices since the date of submittal.
b. The application has been evaluated and found to conform to the applicable zone districts and to be consistent with the City’s Coastal Land Use Plan, the Interpretive Guidelines of the California Coastal Commission and the California Coastal Act. c. The project has been reviewed by the City’s Planning Commission at a duly noticed public hearing which included, but is not limited to, mailed notice to all property owners within 300 feet of the subject property, residents within 100 feet of the property and publication in the local newspaper, the Coastal View News.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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2.0 California Environmental Quality Act

2.1 Introduction
The Planning Commission for the City of Carpinteria (City) considers and relies on the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR; State Clearinghouse Number 022080025) for the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project in determining whether to carry out the project. The Final EIR consists of the Draft EIR, responses to comments on the Draft EIR, a list of persons and agencies commenting on the Draft EIR, a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and technical appendices. The City has received, reviewed, considered, and relied on the information contained in the Final EIR, as well as information provided at hearings and submissions of testimony from official participating agencies, the public, and other agencies and organizations. Furthermore, the Final EIR reflects the lead agency’s independent judgment and analysis.

Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR; Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by that agency; or Specific economic, social, legal, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the Final EIR infeasible.

Documentary and oral evidence, testimony and staff comments and responses received and reviewed by the Lead Agency during public review and the public hearings on the Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project.

The Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Decommissioning Project Final Environmental Impact Report (April 2025).

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15093, PRC 21081).

2.2 Procedures
This document contains the findings and statement of overriding considerations for the approval of the Project and expressly reflects the City’s independent review and judgment (refer to Section 9). This document incorporates by reference the Final EIR. The Planning Commission hereby incorporates by reference as though set forth in full all Community Development Department staff reports and attachments thereto presented to the Planning Commission and all comments made or received either orally or in writing at the public hearings on this project.

City of Carpinteria, Community Development Department
5775 Carpinteria Avenue
Carpinteria, California 93013
Contact: Nick Bobroff
Having received, reviewed and considered the foregoing information, as well as any and all information in the record, the Planning Commission of the City of Carpinteria hereby makes these Findings pursuant to, and in accordance with, PRC Section 21081.

The Final EIR was prepared in compliance with CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines. In accordance with Section 15121 of the State CEQA Guidelines, the purpose of the Final EIR is to serve as an informational document for the public and City decision makers. The Final EIR contains a project-level environmental review that fulfills the requirement of a project-level EIR.

As defined in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15161, a project-level EIR:
…examines the environmental impacts of a specific development project. This type of EIR should focus primarily on the changes in the environment that would result from the development project. The EIR shall examine all phases of the project including planning, construction, and operation.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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The NOP was also submitted to the California Office of Planning and Research (State Clearinghouse) to officially solicit participation in determining the scope of the EIR.

Information requested and input provided during the NOP comment period regarding the scope of the EIR are included in the EIR.

Responses to each written and verbal comment that the City received during the comment period on the Draft EIR are included in the Responses to Comments section of the Final EIR.

The Draft EIR and Responses to Comments collectively comprise the Final EIR for the project.

2.3 California Environmental Quality Act Findings

1. The Final EIR dated April 2025 was presented to the Planning Commission and all voting members of the Commission have reviewed and considered the EIR prior to approving this project. The EIR reflects the independent judgment of the Planning Commission and is adequate for this proposed project.

2. The Planning Commission finds and certifies that the Final EIR dated April, 2025 constitutes a complete, accurate, adequate and good faith effort at full disclosure under CEQA. The Planning Commission further finds and certifies that the Final EIR has been completed in compliance with CEQA.

3. The documents and other materials which constitute the record of proceeding upon which this decision is based are in the custody of the Planning Commission Secretary located at 5775 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT (CLASS III) ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT Issue Area
and Impact
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Location in Final EIR
Aesthetics
AE.1 Scenic Vistas III
AE.2 Scenic Resources III Final EIR Section 4.1
AE.3 Visual Quality and Character III
Air Quality AQ.1 Standards III Final EIR Section 4.2 AQ.3 Toxic Air Emissions III Biological
Resources
BIO.4 Movement of Wildlife III
Final EIR Section 4.3
BIO.6 Conservation Plan Conflicts III
Geology and
Soils
GEO.1 Earthquake Fault III
GEO.5 Expansive Soils III Final EIR Section 4.5
GEO.6 Septic Tanks III
Hazards and
Hazardous
Materials
HAZ.3 Hazards Proximate to Schools III
Final EIR Section 4.7 HAZ.4 Site Contamination III
HAZ.5 Proximity to Airport III
HAZ.6 Impair Emergency Response III
Hydrology and
Water Quality
WR.2 Groundwater Supply III
WR.3 Drainage Patterns III Final EIR Section 4.8
WR.4 Pollutants III
WR.5 Control Plans III
Land Use and
Planning
LUP.1 Divide a Community III Final EIR Section 4.9 LUP.2 Policy Conflict III Noise
N.1 12-Hour CNEL III
N.3 Vibration III Final EIR Section 4.10
N.4 Airport Noise Conflicts III
REC.2 Rec Facilities III
RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT (CLASS III) ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT Issue Area
and Impact
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Location in Final EIR
Transportation
T.1 Policy Conflicts III
T.2 VMT III Final EIR Section 4.11
T.3 Traffic Hazards III
T.4 Emergency Access III
Other All Ag, Energy, Mineral, Housing, Public
Services, Recreation, Utilities, Wildfire
III Final EIR Section 4.13
III

Specifically, for each significant impact, the lead agency must make the following Finding:

1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR;

Each of these findings must be supported by substantial evidence in the administrative record.

The City determined and makes the finding, based upon the environmental analysis presented in the Final EIR and the comments received by the public on the Draft EIR, that the following impacts can be fully avoided or reduced to a less-than-significant level through the incorporation of feasible mitigation measures into the project, as identified in the Final EIR. For each of these identified impacts, changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR.

For details on the specific impacts, please see the respective Final EIR sections.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Location
in Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
Aesthetics A.4 Night
Lighting II
A.4:

Beach/Nearshor
e Night Lighting
Minimization
Final
EIR
Section

4.1 The Project would create a temporary
new source of substantial light or glare
which would adversely affect day or
nighttime views in the area. To mitigate
against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation
measure A.4 which requires that light
be shielded and directed inward. By
adhering to these measures, the night
lighting impacts would be reduced to a
less than significant level.

Air
Quality AQ.2 Odors II
AQ.2: Odor
control and
Purging Plan
Final
EIR
Section

4.2 The Project may result in potentially
significant odor emission impacts. To
mitigate against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation
measure AQ.2 which requires use of
degassing systems and other odor
control tactics. By adhering to these
measures, the odor impacts would be
reduced to a less than significant level.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

4.3 The Project may result in potentially
significant impacts to special status
species. To mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––specifically
mitigation measures Bio.1(a)-(h) which
implement various measures including
retaining qualified biologists, adopting
management plans, utilizing
constructive boundaries, and providing
awareness programs. By adhering to
these measures, the impacts to these
species would be reduced to a less than
significant level.

BIO.2 ESHA II
Bio.2a: ESHA
Impact
Avoidance
Bio.2b: Scrub
Mitigation
Bio.2c: Essential
Fish Habitat
Avoidance
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on riparian habitat as
a result of the temporary
decommissioning activities. To
mitigate against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation
measures Bio.2(a)-(c) which implement
various measures including avoiding
impact areas, onsite mitigation, and
preparation of a pre-decommissioning
survey. By adhering to these measures,
the impacts to these riparian areas
would be reduced to a less than
significant level.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Location
in Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
BIO.3 Wetlands II
Bio.3a: Permitting
Compliance
with USACE,
RWQCB, and
CDFW
Requirements
Bio.3b: Wetlands
Pre-construction
Survey
Bio.3c: Coastal
Wetlands
Mitigation and
Monitoring
Program
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on protected
wetlands as a result of the temporary
decommissioning activities. To
mitigate against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation
measures Bio.3(a)-(c) which implement
various measures including permit
compliance, preparation of a coastal
wetlands mitigation and monitoring
plan, and preparation of a predecommissioning survey. By adhering to these measures, the impacts to these
wetlands would be reduced to a less
than significant level.

BIO.5 Policy
Conflicts II
Bio.5: Tree
Removal
Mitigation
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact due to the removal of
62 non-native trees. To mitigate against
this impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures Bio.5
which requires trees be replaced. By
implementing this requirement, the
impacts to these riparian areas would
be reduced to a less than significant
level.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Location
in Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
Cultural
and Tribal
Cultural
Resources
CUL.1
Known
Resource
CA-SBA-6
II
Cul.1a: Cultural
Resources
Management
Plan
Cul.1b: Worker
Cultural
Resources
Awareness
Program
Cul.1c: Cultural
Resources
Monitoring
Cul.1d: Exclusion
Zones
Cul.1e: Phase III
Data Recovery
Excavations
Cul.1f: Curation
of Project
Materials
Final
EIR
Section

4.4 The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on archaeological
resources due to grading and
excavation work. To mitigate against
this impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Cul.1(a)-(f) which implement various
measures including implementation of
an awareness plan, cultural resource
monitoring, avoidance of exclusion
zones, curation of project materials, and
preparation of a resource management
plan. By adhering to these measures,
the impacts to these archaeological
resources would be reduced to a less
than significant level.

CUL.2 Human
Remains II
Cul.2a: On-Call
Forensic
Anthropologist
Cul.2b: Human
Remains
Discovery
The Project could potentially disturb
human remains due to grading and
excavation work. To mitigate against
this potentially significant impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––specifically
mitigation measures Cul.2(a) and (b)
which require the applicant to retain an
on-call forensic anthropologist and
follow specified procedures if human
remains are discovered. By adhering to
these measures, these impacts would be
reduced to a less than significant level.

Geology
and Soils GEO.2 Erosion II
Geo.2: Erosion
Control Best
Management
Practices
Final
EIR
Section

4.5 The Project could result in substantial
soil erosion due to the removal of
contaminated soil. To mitigate against
this impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure Geo.2
which requires that erosion control best
management practices be followed. By
adhering to these measures, this impact
would be reduced to a less than
significant level.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Location
in Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
GEO.3 Sedimentati
on
II
Geo.2: Erosion
Control Best
Management
Practices
The Project could result in potentially
significant siltation impacts. To
mitigate against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation
measure Geo.2 which requires that
erosion control best management
practices be followed. By adhering to
these measures, this impact would be
reduced to a less than significant level.

GEO.4 Unstable
Bluffs II
Geo.4a: Bluff
Stabilization
Plan
Geo.4b: Bluff
Stabilization
During Pipeline
Removal
Geo.4c: Bluff
Stabilization
Following
Pipeline
Removal
The Project’s proposal to remove
pipelines located in Carpinteria Bluffs
could result in potentially significant
erosion impacts. To mitigate against
this impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure
Geo.4(a)-(c) which require that
adoption of a stabilization plan,
adherence to various measures to
stabilize the bluff during pipeline
removal, and adherence to various
measures to stabilize the bluff
following pipeline removal. By
adhering to these measures, this erosion
impact would be reduced to a less than
significant level.

GEO.7
Paleontologi
cal/Geologic
Feature
II Measures Cul.1a-f
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on paleontological
resources due to grading and
excavation work. To mitigate against
this impact, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measures
Cul.1(a)-(f) which implement various
measures including implementation of
an awareness plan, cultural resource
monitoring, avoidance of exclusion
zones, curation of project materials, and
preparation of a resource management
plan. By adhering to these measures,
the impacts to these resources would be
reduced to a less than significant level.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

4.6 The Project could have a potentially
significant greenhouse gas emissions
associated with the decommissioning
activities. To mitigate against these
impacts, changes or alterations have
been required for the Project––
specifically mitigation measure GHG.1
which requires reductions and/or
offsets for emissions and preparation of
a GHG reduction and reporting plan to
track and enforce these. By adhering to
these measures, these impacts would be
reduced to a less than significant level.

GHG.2 Plans II
GHG.1: GHG
Emissions
Reductions
The Project could result in an exceedance
of County GHG emission thresholds
and thus conflict with an applicable
plan regulating emissions. To mitigate
against this impact, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation
measure GHG.1 which requires
reductions and/or offsets for emissions
and preparation of a GHG reduction
and reporting plan to track and enforce
these. By adhering to these measures,
this impact would be reduced to a less
than significant level.

Hazards
and
Hazardous
Materials
HAZ.1 Routine
Operations II
Haz.1:

Contaminated
Soil Handling
Final
EIR
Section

4.7 The Project could have a potentially
significant impact associated with
handling of contaminated soils. To
mitigate against this risk, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation
measure Haz.1 which requires
preparation of and adherence to a
contaminated soil handling
management plan. By adhering to
these measures, these impacts would be
reduced to a less than significant level.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Location
in Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
HAZ.7 Wildland
Fires II
HAZ.7: Fire
Response
Planning
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact associated with fire
risk during the demolition or
remediation phase of the Project. To
mitigate against this risk, changes or
alterations have been required for the
Project––specifically mitigation
measure Haz.7 which requires
implementation of various fire response
planning measures including hydrant
access, water inventories, availability
of response equipment and equipment
requirements. By adhering to these
measures, these impacts would be
reduced to a less than significant level.

Noise N.2
Hourly
Average
Ambient
Noise
II
N.2a:

Construction
Noise Control
Measures
N.2b: Nighttime
Activities
Final
EIR
Section

4.10 The Project could have a potentially
significant noise impact associated with
temporary noise from decommissioning
activities. To mitigate against this risk,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––specifically
mitigation measures N.2(a) and (b)
which require implementation of
construction noise reduction measures
such as installation of noise barriers,
and prohibition of nighttime onshore
activities. By adhering to these
measures, these noise impacts would be
reduced to a less than significant level.

Tribal
Cultural
Resources
TCR.1
Tribal
Cultural
Resources
II Measures Cul.1a
through Cul.2b
Final
EIR
Section

4.12 The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on tribal-cultural
resources due to decommissioning
work. To mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––specifically
mitigation measures Cul.1(a) and (b)
described above. By adhering to these
measures, the impacts to these tribalcultural resources would be reduced to a less than significant level.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT THAT HAVE BEEN MITIGATED TO A LESS THAN

SIGNIFICANT LEVEL (CLASS II)
Issue
Area
Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Location
in Final
EIR
Finding Analysis
TCR.2
Tribal
Cultural
Resources
II Measures Cul.1a
through Cul.2b
The Project could have a potentially
significant impact on tribal-cultural
resources due to decommissioning
work. To mitigate against this impact,
changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––specifically
mitigation measures Cul.1(a) and (b)
described above. By adhering to these
measures, the impacts to these tribalcultural resources would be reduced to a less than significant level.

6. Findings that Certain Unavoidable Impacts are Mitigated to the Maximum Extent Feasible. (See discussion below).

Specifically, for each significant impact, the lead agency must find that:

1. Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project to avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effects identified in the Final EIR;

Each of these findings must be supported by substantial evidence in the administrative record.

This section identifies impacts that can be reduced, but not to a less-than-significant level, through the incorporation of feasible mitigation measures into the project, and which therefore, remain significant and unavoidable, as identified in the Final EIR. Where adoption of feasible mitigation measures is not effective in avoiding an impact or reducing it to a less than significant RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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level, the feasibility of adopting alternatives to the project is considered below. For details on the specific impacts, please see the respective Final EIR sections.

Significant and unavoidable Class I impacts would occur related to biological resources, hazardous materials and risk of upset, and hydrology and water resources.

SIGNIFICANT UNAVOIDABLE (CLASS I) ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROJECT FOR WHICH

SUFFICIENT MITIGATION IS NOT AVAILABLE
Issue Area Impact
Number Description
Project
Impact
Class
Mitigation
Measures
Location
in Final
EIR
Findings Analysis
Biological
Resources BIO.7 Accidental Oil Spills I
Bio.7: Oil
Spill
Contingenc
y Plan
Final EIR
Section

4.3 The Project could have a potentially significant
impact on biological resources if an accidental
oil spill were to occur. To mitigate against this
impact, changes or alterations have been
required for the Project––specifically
mitigation measure Bio.7 was adopted which
requires preparation of an oil spill contingency
plan that includes, among other things,
measures to minimize impacts to special status
species and riparian habitat. Even with
adherence to these measures, the potential
impacts to these riparian areas would remain
significant and unavoidable.

Hazardous
Materials
& Risk of
Upset
HAZ.2 Accidental
Releases I
Haz.2a:

Spill
Response
Planning
Haz.2b:

Asbestos
and Lead
Planning
Final EIR
Section

4.7 The Project could have a potentially significant
impact associated with accidental release of
hazardous materials. To mitigate against this
risk, changes or alterations have been required
for the Project––specifically mitigation
measure Haz.2(a) and (b) which require various
measures to address spill response planning and
asbestos and lead exposure minimization
planning. Even with adherence to these
measures, these impacts would remain
significant and unavoidable.

Hydrology
& Water
Resources
WR.1
Surface
Water
Quality
Standards
I
WR.1:

Stormwater
Pollution
Prevention
Plan
Final EIR
Section

4.8 The Project could have a potentially significant
impact to water quality associated with
accidental release of petroleum hydrocarbons
into marine water. To mitigate against this risk,
changes or alterations have been required for
the Project––specifically mitigation measure
WR.1 which requires preparation of and
adherence to a stormwater pollution prevention
plan. Even with adherence to these measures,
these impacts would remain significant and
unavoidable.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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7. Findings Regarding Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes and Findings Regarding Growth-Inducing Impacts. (See discussion below)
State CEQA Guidelines §15126.2(c) requires a discussion of any significant irreversible environmental changes that would be caused by the proposed project should it be implemented.

Such significant irreversible environmental changes may include the following:

Use of non-renewable resources during the initial and continued phases of the project that would be irreversible because a large commitment of such resources makes removal or non-use unlikely;
Primary impacts and, particularly secondary impacts (such as highway improvement that provides access to a previously inaccessible area) that generally commit future generations to similar uses; or
Irreversible damage which may result from environmental accidents associated with the project.

As discussed in Section 6 of the Final EIR, there are no significant irreversible environmental changes/effects.

State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(d) requires that EIRs discuss the potential for projects to induce population or economic growth, either directly or indirectly. CEQA also requires a discussion of ways in which a project may remove obstacles to growth. Generally speaking, a project may be considered growth inducing if it results in one or more of the five conditions identified below:

1. Induces population growth;

2. Induces economic expansion;

3. Establishes a precedent setting action (e.g., an innovation, a radical change in zoning or general plan designation);

4. Results in development or encroachment in an isolated or adjacent area of open space (i.e., being distinct from “infill” development); or

5. Removes an impediment to growth (e.g., the establishment of an essential public service or the provision of new access to an area).

As per Section 6 of the Final EIR, there are no growth inducing impacts associated with the Project.

8. Findings that Identified Project Mitigations/Alternatives are not Feasible. (See discussion below).

Because the project will result in significant and unavoidable environmental impacts as identified above, the City must consider the feasibility of any environmentally superior alternatives to the RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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project, as proposed. The City must evaluate whether one or more of these alternatives could substantially lessen or avoid the unavoidable significant environmental effects.

State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6(c) describes the selection process for a range of reasonable alternatives:
(c) The range of potential alternatives to the proposed project shall include those that could feasibly accomplish most of the basic objectives of the Project and could avoid or substantially lessen one or more of the significant effects. The EIR should briefly describe the rationale for selecting the alternatives to be discussed. The EIR should also identify any alternatives that were considered by the lead agency but were rejected as infeasible during the scoping process and briefly explain the reasons underlying the lead agency’s determination. Additional information explaining the choice of alternatives may be included in the administrative record. Among the factors that may be used to eliminate alternatives from detailed consideration in an EIR are: (i) failure to meet most of the basic project objectives, (ii) infeasibility, or (iii) inability to avoid significant environmental impacts.

The range of alternatives required is governed by a “rule of reason” that requires the EIR to set RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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forth only those alternatives necessary to permit a reasoned choice. The EIR shall include sufficient information about each alternative to allow meaningful evaluation, analysis, and comparison with the proposed project. Alternatives are limited to ones that would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project. Of those alternatives, the EIR need examine in detail only the ones that the lead agency determines could feasibly attain most of the basic objectives of the Project.

The following alternatives were considered but eliminated from further analysis by the City due to one or more of these factors:

Removal of Offshore Facilities only Alternative;
Removal of Onshore Facilities only Alternative; and
Limitations on Trucking Destinations Alternative.

The following alternatives were carried forward for in depth analysis:

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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This would include onshore facilities, and offshore pipelines. It should be noted that remediation activities may still be required to proceed since the U.S. EPA and SBCEHS would likely continue to require that these facilities be cleaned up of contaminated materials and appropriately remediated. However, without the removal of above-ground equipment and tanks, it would be difficult to fully access all areas targeted for excavation and remediation.

Ability to Achieve Project Objectives: This Alternative would fail to meet all project objectives.

Full Removal of Facilities Alternative
The Project as proposed by the Applicant excludes a number of facilities that are not slated for decommissioning for a variety of reasons described below. Under this alternative all oil and gas facilities within the property and all related offshore facilities that can be addressed would be fully decommissioned. Those facilities would include the plugging and abandonment of the seven wells that exist within the Project Site; removal and remediation of naturally occurring petroleum hydrocarbons which include a number of seep areas within the Buffer Zone Area, MSRC Area, Main Plant Area, and Pier Parking Lot Area; and removal of former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle, which include two, 8-inch diameter and one, 6-inch diameter abandoned pipelines that come from offshore, across the beach near the western extent of the Project area and a 36-inch diameter corrugated metal vault located at the edge of the bluffs.

RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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Plugging and abandonment of the wells has not been required by CalGEM at this point. Removal of the pipelines from Platforms Hazel and Hilda was not required by the State Lands Commission, who was the Lead Agency for the removal of the Platforms in 1997.

Ability to Achieve Project Objectives: This Alternative could meet all project objectives.

Finding: This alternative was found infeasible due to issues discussed above.

Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative The Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative consists of all the components of the Proposed Project together with removal of the onshore and nearshore portion of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle, which was abandoned in place as approved by the State Lands Commission during the platform removal project in 1997. This alternative is a revised version of the Full Removal of Facilities Alternative described above but does not include removal and remediation of naturally occurring hydrocarbon seeps, plugging and abandonment of seven existing wells within the Project Site, or removal of the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle further from shore, beyond a depth of 30 feet of water.

Ability to Achieve Project Objectives: The Proposed Project Plus Hilda and Hazel Pipeline Removal Alternative would achieve the basic objectives of the Project by accomplishing the components of the original Proposed Project. In addition, removing the former Platforms Hazel and Hilda pipeline bundle through the bluffs would prevent future erosion and avoid the RESOLUTION NO. PC-25-001- Findings for Approval
Chevron Carpinteria Oil and Gas Facility Decommissioning Project May 5, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting

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Carpinteria City CouncilJuly 15, 2025

Carpinteria City Council
July 15, 2025