Informational 6 - Palisade Fremont Blvd IS-ND RTC Errata Memo 12.5.24

CARLSBAD
CLOVIS
IRVINE

PALM SPRINGS

POINT RICHMOND

RIVERSIDE

ROSEVILLE

SAN LUIS OBISPO
1504 Eureka Rd, Suite 310, Roseville, California 95661 916.772.7450 www.lsa.net

MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 5, 2024
TO: James Willis, City of Fremont
FROM: Kat Hughes, Project Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Alameda County Water District Comment Letter on the Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration for the Palisade Fremont Boulevard Project

The City of Fremont circulated the Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND) for the Palisade Fremont Boulevard Project (project) for public comments from November 13, 2024, to December 3, 2024. The City received one comment letter, from the Alameda County Water District (ACWD), dated December 3, 2024, included as Attachment A. This memorandum documents the comments made by ACWD, comment responses, and any changes or corrections made to the IS/ND in response to ACWD comments.

The ACWD Comment Letter, found in Attachment A, has been delimited to show individual comments, and each comment has been assigned a number. Responses and any text revisions are organized below by comment number. Added text is indicated in bold, and removed text is indicated with strike-through.

COMMENT RESPONSES
COMMENT A-1
The comment requests that the IS/ND note the cooperative agreements with the Regional Water Quality Control Board – San Francisco Bay Region and the City of Fremont made as part of the ACWD’s Groundwater Protection Program, and requests that project proponents notify ACWD if any soil and/or groundwater is encountered.

Response A-1
The text of page 4-52, Section 4.9.2(a), of the IS/ND has been revised to include the following:

As part of Alameda County Water District’s (ACWD) Groundwater Protection Program, ACWD has entered into Cooperative Agreements with both the California Regional Water Quality Control 12/5/24 (\\aznasunifiler2\projects\A-E\CFR2002.14 - Palisade Fremont Blvd\PRODUCTS\IS-MND\Public\ACWD Comment Letter\Palisade Fremont Blvd IS-ND RTC Errata Memo 12.5.24.docx)
2 Board – San Francisco Bay Region1 and the City of Fremont,2 which allows ACWD to provide technical oversight for the investigation and remediation at LUST sites and sites where the pollution is attributed to spills or leaks from structures other than underground fuel tanks, now referred to as Site Cleanup Program sites or SCP (formerly known as Spills, Leaks, Investigation, and Cleanup sites or SLIC sites). As a result, ACWD must be notified if any soil and/or groundwater contamination is encountered during implementation of the proposed project.

Likewise, lists of hazardous materials regulations and programs have been revised to include “ACWD SCP investigation/remediation procedures” throughout the document.

COMMENT A-2
The comment notes that a Phase II Soil and Groundwater Investigation was conducted in the vicinity of the project site which was not evaluated as part of the Draft IS/ND or appended Phase I ESA. The comment notes that this Phase II Report indicates that relatively low concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons (as diesel and motor oil) are present in soil and shallow groundwater at an adjacent site, and requests that this data be considered during development of the soil management plan (SMP) to be developed for the project.

Response A-2
The Phase II Soil and Groundwater Investigation report, dated June 2, 2000, prepared by URS/Dames & Moore, is not for the project site; the report was prepared to investigate the property located at 43962 Fremont Boulevard, adjacent to and not a part of the currently proposed project site. Per the preparers of the Phase I ESA prepared for the proposed project, it was not necessary to evaluate the URS/Dames & Moore Phase II Report as part of the preparation of the Draft IS/ND or the Phase I ESA. However, the report can be evaluated during preparation of the soil management plan (SMP), which will be undertaken in compliance with FMC 18.218.050(f).

In addition, to clarify details regarding the relatively low concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons as diesel and motor oil, the following text was added to page 4-47, Section 4.9.1, of the IS/ND:

According to the Phase I ESA, two previous reports were prepared for the project site and were on file with the City of Fremont Fire Department:
• P
hase I Environmental Site Assessment, 43990, 43962, and 43978 Fremont Boulevard and 3842 A
utomall Parkway, Fremont, CA, prepared by Niland Consultants for Western Precooling Systems, and dated July 20, 1998 (1998 Niland ESA)
1 ACWD. 1996 (updated 2013). Cooperative Agreement between San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and Alameda County Water District, dated June 27, 1996, updated May 28, 2013. Website:
https://www.acwd.org/DocumentCenter/View/132. Accessed December, 2024. 2 ACWD. 1997. Cooperative Agreement between City of Fremont and Alameda County Water District (Agreement 2880), dated March 25, 1997. Website: https://www.acwd.org/DocumentCenter/View/128.

Accessed December, 2024.

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3 • Phase II Investigation Report, 43990, 43962, and 43978 Fremont Boulevard and 3842 Automall Parkway, Fremont, CA, prepared by Geomatrix for Western Precooling Systems, and dated July 20, 1998 (1998 Geomatrix Phase II)
The 1998 Niland ESA was prepared for an approximately 12-acre property that included the current project site as well as the north, northeast, and east adjoining properties (43990, 43962, and 43978 Fremont Boulevard and 3842 Automall Parkway). The 1998 Niland ESA discussed a 1,000-gallon UST previously located on the proposed project site, which was removed in 1987. A LUST case was subsequently opened due to soil and groundwater impacts identified with the tank excavation. The LUST case for the on-site UST was granted unrestricted closure in 1989 following over-excavation of soil and four rounds of groundwater monitoring, with no elevated contaminants identified. Also identified in the 1998 Niland ESA were a former asphalt tar AST and a former waste oil drum storage area. A subsurface investigation of these two areas was included in the 1998 Geomatrix Phase II, and no evidence of release or elevated contamination was identified.
1 According to the 1998 Geomatrix Phase II, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) as diesel was detected in most soil and groundwater samples throughout the properties, though VOCs and semi-VOCs were not detected in any samples. Only one soil sample location, labeled S10, is located within the proposed project site as part of the 1998 Geomatrix Phase II, and none of the groundwater or surface water samples taken were from within the currently proposed project site. Because TPH as diesel was detected in soil across the four properties under investigation, the 1998 Geomatrix Phase II recommended that prior to any site construction/development, appropriate disposal facilities should be identified for receipt of any soil export containing diesel that might be generated during excavation and grading activities.2 Additionally, the following text has been added to page 4-49, Section 4.9.1, of the IS/ND:
2000 URS Phase II Soil and Groundwater Investigation. As part of the development of the adjacent site to the east of the proposed project site, at 43962 Fremont Boulevard, a Phase II Soil and Groundwater Investigation (2000 URS Phase II) was prepared dated June 2, 2000. For this investigation, samples of soil and groundwater were taken at six geoprobe boring locations. Three of the sample locations, DMB-3, DMB-4, and DMB-5, were located at the western edge of the property at 43962 Fremont Boulevard, adjacent to the current project site. TPH as diesel and TPH as motor oil were identified in the soil and groundwater samples. The 2000 URS Phase II concluded that “relatively low concentrations” of TPH as diesel and as motor oil were present in the soil and groundwater, indicating that there were no significant sources of diesel and/or motor oil at the 43962 Fremont Boulevard property. Further, the 2000 URS Phase II noted that ACWD had not established County-wide clean up levels for diesel and motor oil in soil and groundwater,

1 Blackstone Consulting, LLC. 2021. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Ice House Terrace 43990 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, Alameda County, California 94538. September 14. 2 Geomatrix. 1998. Phase II Investigation Report, 43990, 43962, and 43978 Fremont Boulevard and 3842 Automall Parkway, Fremont, CA. July 20.

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4 and the report indicated that ACWD was not likely to require remedial action for the relatively low concentrations of TPH as diesel and TPH as motor oil that had been detected. 1 COMMENT A-3
The comment notes that Section 4.10.1(b) does not include mention of ACWD’s groundwater management activities and requests that this be included.

Response A-3
ACWD’s groundwater management is discussed under 4.10.1(e). Part of this discussion has been moved to 4.10.1(b) in response to this comment. Page 4-62, Section 4.10.1(b), of the IS/ND now includes the following text:

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which was enacted in September 2014, requires governments and water agencies of high- and medium-priority basins to halt overdraft of groundwater basins. The SGMA requires the formation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), which are required to adopt Groundwater Sustainability Plans to manage the sustainability of the groundwater basins; ACWD is the GSA identified for the Santa Clara basin.

COMMENT A-4
The comment requests that the IS/ND include information regarding the ACWD’s role as SGMA groundwater management and compliance agency.

Response A-4
The IS/ND text already includes this information. The text of page 4-67, Section 4.10.1(e), of the IS/ND has been revised as follows, for clarity in response to this comment:

The SGMA requires the formation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), which are required to adopt Groundwater Sustainability Plans to manage the sustainability of the groundwater basins; ACWD is the GSA identified for the Santa Clara basin. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) designates the Niles Cone Subbasin as a medium-priority basin, and the GSA identified for the Santa Clara subbasin is ACWD. The SGMA requires the formation of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), which are required to adopt Groundwater Sustainability Plans to manage the sustainability of the groundwater basins; ACWD is the GSA identified for the Santa Clara basin.

COMMENT A-5
The comment requests that the reference in the IS/ND to the Alternative Update to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) be updated to reflect its approval by DWR on June 27, 2024.

1 URS Corporation. 2000. Phase II Soil and Groundwater Investigation, 43962 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, CA. June 2.

ACWD subsequently submitted an Alternative Update to DWR on December 29, 2021, which was approved June 27, 2024. The Alternative Update provides an update on ACWD’s groundwater management efforts…
COMMENT A-6
This comment notes that text on page 4-68, Section 4.10.1(e), of the Draft IS/ND, may imply that ACWD would take action to offset deficiencies caused by project dewatering. Refers to further comment found under Comment A-12.

Response A-6
Comment noted and response found in Response A-12.

COMMENT A-7
This comment requests correction of a typo in the full title of the Urban Water Management Plan.

Response A-7
References to the UWMP have been corrected throughout the document.

COMMENT A-8
This comment notes that drilling permits are required from ACWD prior to the start of any subsurface drilling activities for wells, exploratory holes, and other excavations including the installation of support piers, piles (sheet piles), or caissons within the City of Fremont.

Response A-8
Comment noted.

COMMENT A-9
This comment identifies a monitoring well that may be located within the project site, but notes that the location could not be field verified during two field visits. Comment notes that if the well is encountered during development of the proposed project, the project proponents must notify ACWD, and the well must be either protected and brought into compliance with ACWD Ordinance Number 2010-01 or properly destroyed.

Response A-9
Comment is noted. If the well is located during grading activities, the well will be destroyed in accordance with ACWD requirements.

Response A-10
Comment noted.

COMMENT A-11
This comment notes potential groundwater contamination and requests that a provision be included in the IS/ND requiring project proponents to coordinate any drainage design and stormwater treatment measure implementation with ACWD, prior to implementation and City approval.

Response A-11
Comment is noted. The project proponent previously obtained ACWD approval of the current stormwater design during the Engineering review phase. Another review prior to building permit issuance could be included as a condition of approval for the project.

COMMENT A-12
This comment requests that any water extracted by dewatering be evaluated and documented. The comment also requests that, if appropriate, alternative designs be considered to minimize the amount of dewatering required during and after construction. The comment also notes that, per ACWD’s Replenishment Assessment Act, groundwater losses due to dewatering must be measured and may be subject to a replenishment assessment fee. The comment suggests that mitigation measures be proposed to replace all significant losses of ACWD’s water supplies.

Response A-12
No significant de-watering is anticipated to occur. If dewatering does occur, it would be short-term de-watering during installation of deep utilities. Any water pumped from these trenches would be allowed to re-infiltrate within a shallower section of the trench, and therefore no groundwater loss would occur, as stated on page 4-60, Section 4.10.1(a) of the IS/ND.

COMMENT A-13
This comment requests coordination with ACWD’s Engineering Department regarding existing water mains in Ice House Terrace and within the project site. The comment notes that any relocations must be coordinated with ACWD Engineering and costs and fees are the responsibility of the project proponent.

Response A-13
Comment noted.

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7 COMMENT A-14
This comment provides a link to the ACWD Public Records Act portal for any base maps and as-built drawings that might be needed for utility designs.

Response A-14
Comment noted.

COMMENT A-15
This comment states that any proposed ACWD pipelines within the project site must be a minimum of 12-inches diameter, and must be compliant with ACWD standards, including ACWD Standard Specifications for Water Main Installations. The comment provides a link for applications for public water system extensions to be made to ACWD, and notes that extension tie-ins to existing water mains are at the discretion of ACWD Engineering.

Response A-15
Comment noted.

COMMENT A-16
The comment notes that modified existing water facilities, or initiation of new water service must be coordinated with ACWD Engineering. Unused existing water services must be removed by ACWD and new water service must be installed by ACWD; removal and installation are at project proponent’s expense. The comment invites the project proponent to meet with ACWD Engineering staff ahead of applying for service, provides a link for the application, and notes that work request applications can take 4 to 6 months.

Response A-16
Comment noted.

COMMENT A-17
The comment notes existing ACWD water line easements within the project site and in the vicinity.

The comment requests that project proponent coordinate with ACWD Engineering staff to confirm and protect any existing ACWD water mains, valves, or other facilities, and notes that quitclaim actions require reciprocal property rights and approval by ACWD Board of Directors. Comment notes the ACWD Easement numbers within and near the project site.

Response A-17
Comment noted.

COMMENT A-18
Comment notes that new public water system extensions within the project site will require new easement deeds per ACWD requirements, a copy of which is provided via link.

COMMENT A-19
This comment notes that installation of a new public water system at the project site requires confirmation that the soil, groundwater, and/or soil gas vapors do not pose a risk to the health and safety of workers either during installation of the public water system or during its long-term routine operation and maintenance.

Response A-19
Comment noted.

COMMENT A-20
The comment requests that project proponents develop a site work plan and a safety plan that describes any steps, including special safety steps, required for pipeline installations by project proponents and routine ACWD operation and maintenance.

Response A-20
The Phase I ESA prepared for the proposed project did not indicate any soil impacts affecting the site, but out of an abundance of caution and in accordance with FMC 18.218.050(f), the applicant will prepare an SMP that includes a Health and Safety Plan (HASP).

COMMENT A-21
The comment notes that any proposed public water system extension and appurtenances must be constructed in "clean corridors," which should be assured by further testing of native soil, groundwater, and/or soil vapors along the proposed public water system alignments, or by use of clean imported fill as backfill for all trenches excavated for any part of the public water system. The comment also notes that the use of upgraded materials, including but not limited to all steel pipelines with upgraded gaskets, may be required.

Response A-21
Comment noted. The project proponent will create a clean corridor for the installation of the public water system either through testing or backfill with clean soil.

COMMENT A-22
The comment notes that the project would be required to implement water efficient plumbing and irrigation, and provides a link to measures.

Response A-22
Comment noted.

BOARD MEMBERS 43885 SOUTH GRIMMER BOULEVARD • FREMONT, CALIFORNIA 94538 (510) 668-4200 • www.acwd.org

MANAGEMENT

AZIZ AKBARI
JAMES G. GUNTHER
JUDY C. HUANG

PAUL SETHY
JOHN H. WEED

ED STEVENSON
General Manager

DAN STEVENSON
Operations and Maintenance

GIRUM AWOKE
Engineering and Technology
LAURA J. HIDAS
Water Resources

JONATHAN WUNDERLICH
Finance and Administration

JACKIE MCCLOUD
Special Assistant to the General Manager

December 3, 2024

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
James Willis, Senior Planner ([email protected])
City of Fremont
39550 Liberty Street
Fremont CA 94537

Dear Mr. Willis:

Subject: Notice of Public Review and Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration for the Palisade Fremont Blvd GPA (PLN2024-00080) project located at Fremont Boulevard and Ice House Terrace, Fremont, CA 94538

The Alameda County Water District (ACWD) wishes to thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND) for the Palisade Fremont Boulevard Project (“Project,” or “Development”). ACWD has reviewed the Draft IS/ND and would appreciate your consideration of the following comments:

1. Groundwater:
a. Hazards and Hazardous Materials : Appendix E of the Draft IS/ND provides a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) to evaluate the Project area and adjacent areas for potential environmental conditions, including impacts and risks. The Phase I ESA identified two (2) properties/listings determined to present a higher potential risk for environmental concerns to the Project site, including a former Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) site, Wicks Pacific Supply Lumber.
i. The Draft IS/ND should acknowledge that as part of ACWD’s Groundwater Protection Program, ACWD entered into Cooperative Agreements with both the California Regional Water Quality Control Board – San Francisco Bay Region (Regional Board) and the City of Fremont (City), which allows ACWD to provide technical oversight for the investigation and remediation at LUST sites and sites where the pollution is attributed to spills or leaks from structures other than underground fuel tanks now referred to as Site Clean up Program sites or SCP (formerly known as Spills, Leaks, Investigation, and Cleanup sites or SLIC sites). These Cooperative Agreements further strengthen the interagency coordination and cost -effective implementation of groundwater protection within the City in order to protect the Niles Cone Groundwater Basin. As a result, ACWD requests that Project proponents notify ACWD if any soil and/or groundwater contamination is encountered.
/ITCWD
HfHHEDH CDUIVTY WHTEH o,sra,cr
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City of Fremont, Mr. James Willis

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December 3rd, 2024
ii. Accor
ding to records held by ACWD, a Phase II Soil and Groundwater Investigation was conducted at a property in the vicinity of the Project site which does not appear to have been evaluated as part of the Draft IS/ND or appended Phase I ESA. The Report for the Phase II Soil and Groundwater Investigation (Phase II Report) is dated June 2, 2000, and was conducted by URS/Dames & Moore at 43962 Fremont Boulevard; however, site vicinity maps provided as part of the Phase II Report suggest the investigated area i s coincident with the proposed Project area. The results from the Phase II Soil and Groundwater Investigation indicate that relatively low concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons (as diesel and motor oil) are present in soil from 1 to 6 feet below ground surface (bgs) and in shallow groundwater. The data provided in the Phase II Report should be considered during development of the forthcoming soil management plan (SMP) to be developed for the Project area. b. Hydrology and Water Quality:
iii. The impact analysis provided for item (b ) of Section 4.10.1 of the Draft IS/ND discusses the groundwater setting in the Project area and notes that the Project site is located within the Niles Cone Groundwater Basin (Niles Cone Subbasin 2- 09.01 or Niles Cone). This discussion does not include mention of ACWD’s groundwater management activities in particular. For over 100 years, ACWD has managed the groundwater of the Niles Cone through comprehensive programs that protect and improve water supplies for all groundwater users. ACWD requests that this additional information be provided in the IS/ND.
iv. The impact analysis provided for item (e) of Section 4.10.1 of the Draft IS/ND evaluates whether the Project would conflict with or obstruct implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
a. ACWD is identified within SGMA as an agency created by statute to manage groundwater and deemed to be the exclusive local agency within its statutory boundaries to comply with SGMA. ACWD requests that this additional information be provided in the IS/ND.
b. Pages 4-67 and 4-68 of the Draft IS/ND specify that ACWD submitted an Alternative Update to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on December 29, 2021. Please note that the Alternative Update was approved by DWR on June 27, 2024.
c. Page 4 -68 of the Draft IS/ND states, “Operation of the proposed project would likely involve the use of both surface and groundwater as potable water. However, ACWD has sufficient water supplies to meet normal- year demands through 2045. If a deficiency were to occur, ACWD would take actions to attempt to maintain appropriate groundwater levels, including:
maximizing the import of additional water for artificial recharge of the groundwater basin; reducing use of local groundwater; and maximizing use of imported supplies .” This excerpt may imply that ACWD would take actions to offset deficiencies caused by the Project dewatering . Please see comment 1.e below.

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City of Fremont, Mr. James Willis

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December 3rd, 2024

d. Page 4-63 of the Draft IS/ND cite s the “ The 2020-2050 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) …,” however, it is the “2020-2025” UWMP.

ACWD requests the title of the referenced UWMP be corrected on this page and in occurrences throughout the document.

c. Groundwater Well Protection/Destruction:
i. Groundwater Well Destruction and Drilling Permits: As required by ACWD Ordinance No. 2010- 01, drilling permits are required prior to the start of any subsurface drilling activities for wells, exploratory holes, and other excavations including the installa tion of support piers, piles (sheet piles), or caissons within the City of Fremont (City). Application for a permit may be obtained from ACWD’s Engineering Department, at 43885 South Grimmer Boulevard, Fremont or online at http://www.acwd.org. All permitted work requires scheduling for inspection; therefore, all drilling activities must be coordinated with ACWD prior to the start of any field work.

ii. ACWD has identified a monitoring well 5S/1W-11M004 located within the Project area. However, the well could not be field verified during two occasions (specifically on May 7, 2024, and July 31, 2024), which were performed by project proponents to look for and verify the well. To protect the groundwater basin, if t his well is located during development activities within the project area , it must be in compliance with ACWD Ordinance No. 2010-01. Project proponents must notify ACWD, and the well must be either protected and brought into compliance with ACWD Ordinance No 2010-01 or properly destroyed. If the well is to remain, a letter indicating so must be sent to ACWD.

d. Stormwater Management: Section 2.2.6.3 of the Draft IS/ND indicates that stormwater on the Project site would be directed to bioretention areas, which “would collect and treat stormwater before discharging into existing City storm drain lines.” ACWD appreciates the biotreatmen t of stormwater in bioretention areas in order to impede runoff from rapidly infiltrating the subsurface and bypassing soils which have the capacity to remove pollutants and protect the groundwater supply.

As previously discussed, the Project site has known groundwater contamination and specific stormwater devices could present an unacceptable long-term risk to beneficial uses of groundwater.

Therefore, ACWD requests the IS/ND include a provision that requires Project proponents coordinate any drainage design and stormwater treatment measure implementation with ACWD, prior to implementation and City approval.

e. Dewatering: The Draft IS/ND indicates that dewatering and shoring of groundwater may be required during construction activities involving excavation. ACWD requests that Project proponents coordinate the design to ensure the Niles Cone Groundwater Basin is protected. In addition, the amount of water that may be extracted by dewatering should be evaluated and documented. If appropriate, alternative designs should be considered that would minimize the amount of dewatering required during and after construction. Per the Replenishment Assessment Act of the Alameda County Water District (Replenishment Assessment Act), g roundwater losses due to dewatering must be measured and may be subject to a replenishment assessment fee.

Mitigation measures should be proposed to replace all significant losses of ACWD’s water supplies.

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City of Fremont, Mr. James Willis

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December 3rd, 2024

2. Utilities and Service Systems:
a. Existing Public Water Mains: ACWD operates several in-service water mains within and adjacent to the Project site. Project proponents need to coordinate with ACWD ’s Engineering Department regarding the existing 12-inch PVC water main in Ice House Terrace and 12- inch steel and PVC water main in the southern part of the subject Project’s parcel. Any proposed relocation of existing ACWD pipelines, services, or appurtenances within easements will need to be coordinated with the ACWD’s Engineering Department and all costs and fees associated with a relocation will be fully borne by Project proponents.

i. Project proponents may reach out to ACWD Engineering for copies of 200-scale base map and as-built drawings using the ACWD Public Records Act portal, NextRequest, at: https://alamedacountywaterdistrict.nextrequest.com/requests

b. New Public Water System Extension: Any proposed ACWD pipelines within the Project area shall be minimum 12-inch diameter. The provision of water services to the industrial use via a new onsite public water system is conditioned upon the ability to design and install a public water system extension in compliance with the ACWD standards, including the ACWD Standard Specifications for Water Main Installations. The Project’s engineer is strongly encouraged to review these ACWD standards and revise the proposed water system design accordingly. The Project proponents may submit improvement plans to the ACWD Engineering Department for review. The Application for Public Water System Extension can be found on the ACWD website at:
https://www.acwd.org/DocumentCenter/View/33/Application-for-Public-Water-System- Extension?bidId=

i. New public water system extensions shall tie -in to existing water mains and create a well-gridded looped system where feasible and at the sole discretion of the ACWD Engineering Department.

c. Existing Water Services: For modifications of existing water facilities or to initiate new water service to the property, the Project proponent should contact the ACWD Engineering Department.

Any existing water services which will not be used in the new development or water mains to be removed from service must be removed by the ACWD at the Project proponent’s expense. New water service facilities must be installed by ACWD at Project proponent’s expense. Project proponent is encouraged to meet with Engineering staff to review your Project prior to submitting the application or other materials or if you need assistance in completing the Customer Work Request Application . The application and instruction can be found on the ACWD website at:
https://acwd.org/171/Customer-Work-Request-Application.

i. The estimate for processing a customer work request a pplication through the completion of f ield construction is 4- 6 months. The Project proponent should plan accordingly.

d. Existing and New ACWD Easements: There are several existing ACWD water line easements on the Project site and fronting the Project site on other parcels. Project proponents should coordinate with ACWD Engineering Staff to confirm and protect existing ACWD water mains, valves, and other appurtenances. Quitclaim of existing Easements will require reciprocal property rights (i.e., new water line easements) and quitclaim actions are adopted by the ACWD Board of Directors.

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City of Fremont, Mr. James Willis

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December 3rd, 2024

i. ACWD Water Line Easements: No. 139 (Alameda County Records RE:1589 IM:595), No. 664 (Alameda County Records 89-316598), No. 810 (Alameda County Records 2001-009642), No. 81 4 (Alameda County Records 2001-009646), and No. 815 (Alameda County Records 2001-009647)

ii. New public water system extensions within the Project site will require new water line easement deeds granted to ACWD per the ACWD Development Specifications for Public Water System Extension, Section 2.2.3 Easements. A copy of the Development Specifications can be found on the ACWD website at:
https://www.acwd.org/DocumentCenter/View/272/Development-Specifications-for- Public-Water-System-Extensions-May-2019-Rev-3?bidId=

e. Existing Hazardous Material Contamination: The ability to install a public water system within the Project area would be conditioned upon confirmation that the soil, groundwater, and/or soil gas vapors do not pose a risk to the health and safety of workers either during installation of the public water system or during its long-term routine operation and maintenance.

i. The Project proponents should be prepared to develop a site work plan, and safety plan which describes any steps, including special safety steps, required for pipeline installations by Project proponents and routine ACWD operation and maintenance.

ii. Any proposed public water system extension and all appurtenances must be constructed in "clean corridors," which would be assured by either further testing of native soil, groundwater, and/or soil vapors along the proposed public water system alignments or by use of c lean imported fill as backfill for all trenches excavated for any part of the public water system. The use of upgraded materials, including but not limited to all steel pipelines with upgraded gaskets, may be required.

f. The Project shall be designed to implement water efficient plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems at both residential and non-residential developments, including but not limited to those listed in the Water Efficiency Measures for New Development, located on the District’s website (http://acwd.org/DocumentCenter/View/421).

3. ACWD Contacts:

The following ACWD contacts are provided so that the City of Newark staff can coordinate with ACWD as needed during the Project:

 Michelle Walden, Groundwater Resources Manager, at (510) 668 -4454 or by email at [email protected], for coordination regarding ACWD’s groundwater resources.

 Kit Soo, Well Ordinance Supervisor, at (510) 668- 4455 or by email at [email protected] , for coordination regarding groundwater wells and drilling permits.

 Sean O’Reilly, Development Services Manager, at (510) 668- 4472 or by email at [email protected], for coordination regarding public water systems, GIS, and water service modifications.

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City of Fremont, Mr. James Willis

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December 3rd, 2024

Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on the Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration for the Palisade Fremont Blvd GPA Project.

Sincerely,

Girum Awoke
Director of Engineering and Technology

sro/ml

cc: Laura Hidas, ACWD
Michelle Walden, ACWD
Kit Soo, ACWD
Sean O’Reilly, ACWD

Fremont City CouncilJanuary 14, 2025

Fremont City Council
January 14, 2025