Pinole City Council
August 20, 2024

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 30 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
SW-1b Partner with RecycleMore, Sustainable Contra Costa, or similar entities to complete community based social marketing (CBSM) targeted outreach and education campaign by 2025 to high organic generation commercial accounts to educate and train commercial generators’ management and staff about best practices in food waste reduction and surplus food donation. As part of this effort, develop successful case studies for Pinole food facilities to provide best practices, cost savings and other methods to energize food facility managers and staff to fully participate in the organics diversion and edible food recovery programs.

SW-1c In concert with Economic Development programs, establish a downtown Pinole outreach campaign and recognition program by 2025 to celebrate restaurants/food facilities with the highest diversion and edible food recovery success. Create a space on the City’s CAAP website to highlight the campaign and leaders in the community, as well as provide a plaque or alternative community recognition that emphasizes the successful initiatives.

SW-1d Establish a program by 2024 to distribute kitchen food pails at community events (e.g., Farmers Markets, California Coastal Cleanup Day, Pinole's Dumpster Day, Earth Walk), distribute food pails at grocery stores in lower-resourced areas, and directly connect with property owners of low/moderate income rental housing to distribute food pails directly to housing units. Through the program, track how many pails are distributed quarterly.

SW-1e Establish and maintain an ongoing education program informing the community about compostable materials and upcoming at-home composting workshops, including regularly updated guidelines on composting, especially paper, distributed bi-annually and made available at the City permit counter, grocery stores, as well as at farmers' markets, California Coastal Cleanup Day, Pinole's Dumpster Day, Earth Walk and other community events.

SW-1f Transform Pinole’s “Dumpster Day” into “Resource Recovery Day,” in both name and concept, by introducing a community swap meet where residents exchange/recycle household goods in preference to conventional commerce and waste. At the event, the City will provide education about organics diversion (including the concept of closing the loop for organics material and edible food recovery) and the “Buy Nothing” movement, and feature special compost giveaway events (e.g., free kitchen food pails).

SW-1g Work with local grocery stores and retail food markets, the Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank Rescue Program, RecycleMore, and community groups to understand the criteria for acceptable food for recovery and establish a more robust food rescue and distribution program to divert additional edible food to food insecure residents.

SW-1h Identify and support school organizations in the City (e.g., leadership, sustainability, and environmental groups or clubs) start “Go Organics” programs to initiate, educate, and implement robust organics collection programs on campus in collaboration with the City’s waste hauler and RecycleMore.

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 31
Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
SW-1i Develop presentations for all schools in Pinole to:
▪ Educate students, staff, and teachers on how to implement an efficient, yet robust organics collection program
▪ Educate students, staff, and teachers on the benefits of diverting organics and reducing GHG emissions
▪ Engage school leadership on the benefits of establishing a ‘closed loop partnership’ regarding organics. This could include adding organics end products such as mulch and compost delivered from the City’s waste hauler nearby composting facility to school gardens and landscaping, thereby eliminating need for pesticides and herbicides, and increasing water retention in school landscaping.

SW-1j Continue to partner with the City’s waste hauler to include quarterly multi-lingual inserts in residential and commercial billing to highlight important programs and initiatives, including the single-use plastic ban and the no-cost organics pails available to residents and the composting programs in Action ID SW-1h, as well as new programs as they are created.

SW-1k Develop a comprehensive outreach program to educate Homeowner Associations, neighborhood associations, and communities on social media platforms such as NextDoor on the City’s organic waste diversion requirements and available programs and resources to increase diversion.

SW-1l Implement a comprehensive organics collection and edible food recovery program for low income and fixed income people to ensure access to edible surplus food recipients such as food banks and other food recovery organizations.

SW-1m Fund the comprehensive organics collection and edible food recovery program using CalRecycle’s SB 1383 grant funding cycle.

SW-1n Partner with local waste management providers, food recovery organizations, and West Contra Costa Unified School District, private schools in Pinole, or similar entities, to analyze existing food waste generation, disposal practices, and potential sources of edible surplus food.

SW-1o Install compost bins throughout the City where there are landfill and recycling bins to collect organics generated. Incorporate the hauling requirements into the waste hauler’s contract to confirm proper management and disposal.

Measure SW-2. Reduce landfilled inorganic waste 35% by 2030 and 90% by 2045.

SW-2a Adopt a Zero Waste Policy and Zero Waste Strategic Plan to guide and detail methods to meet the reduction target of 35% by 2030 and 90% by 2045. As a part of the Zero Waste Strategic Plan, adopt a Single-use Plastic Foodware and Bag Reduction Ordinance to phase in the reduction, and subsequent elimination of, single-use plastic foodware by food facilities.
2030: N/A
2045: N/A
SW-2b Partner with an entity such as Terracycle to create a recycling program at Cityowned and operated buildings and other community-based locations to collect hard to recycle products, such as snack pouches.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 32 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
SW-2c Partner with local businesses, nonprofits, and community groups or organizations to establish pop-up repair cafes for commonly broken and easily repaired items.

Additionally, engage local home improvement businesses and partner with the Pinole Library to promote reuse by increasing accessibility to shared tools through a tool lending program. In addition to providing available resources, work with experts in various fields to provide quick reference guidance documents or record short videos that residents can refer to when borrowing specific equipment to learn the most effective ways of using the tools available.

SW-2d Continue the City’s single-use plastic education efforts and integrate the efforts into a citywide education program, ‘Pinole’s Path to Zero Waste,’ to expand outreach and resources about zero waste goals and focus education on specific benefits to the City (e.g., reduction of single-use plastic pollution flowing into Pinole Creek and San Pablo Bay, community savings from reduce and reuse efforts).

SW-2e Partner with community-based organizations such as ReThink Disposables and RecycleMore to engage Bayfront Chamber of Commerce members and other Pinole businesses to educate the business community about the benefits of reusables and inform them about the new Single-use Plastic Foodware and Bag Reduction Ordinance.

SW-2f Work with compostable distributors to achieve competitive pricing for compostable foodware to increase compliance with the Single-use Plastic Foodware and Bag Reduction Ordinance.

SW-2g Sponsor businesses to host refill pop-ups at community events (e.g., Farmers Market) where community members can purchase common household products and food in bulk using their own containers and create a network of local businesses that can provide the pop-up local, bulk products with zero-waste packaging.

SW-2h Secure financial grants and assistance from Rethink Disposables, CalRecycle’s City/County Payment Program (CCPP), and others, to support businesses in developing pilot programs for reusable and returnable foodware and drop-off stations, purchasing and installing dishwashers, and overall gaining compliance with the Single-use Plastic Foodware and Bag Reduction Ordinance. Highlight and support use of new grant funds available for small and minority-owned businesses to participate. Additionally, Seek grant funding to support pop-up repair cafes and a tool lending program.

SW-2i Create a Hazardous Waste Material Reuse Program that offers usable household hazardous waste collected at the West Contra Costa County Drive-Through to the community free of charge through a Material ReUse Store. Establish a schedule and location(s) to operate the Material ReUse Store alongside the household hazardous waste collection schedule and promote the store on the City’s website and on the City’s social media platforms.

SW-2j Partner with public schools to reduce single-use foodware, convert necessary single-use plastic foodware to compostable/reusable foodware, and educate students on closing the loop (i.e., Loop organics).

Measure SW-3. Meet CalGreen’s current 65% construction and demolition (C&D) materials diversion requirements on all covered projects.

SW-3a Include in, or amend, the franchise agreement with the City’s waste hauler to require C&D diversion requirements with performance disincentives for noncompliance. 2030: N/A
2045: N/A

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 33
Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
SW-3b Partner with RecycleMore and the City’s waste hauler to complete an assessment of projects that were not compliant with the 65% diversion requirement.

Determine an Action Plan to ensure similar future projects meet the 65% requirement. Complete ongoing review of projects collaboratively with RecycleMore to assess projects that are non-compliant and methods to ensure 65% diversion requirements are met.

SW-3c Fully engage and inform permit applicants of the 65% requirements at the very beginning of the planning, building, and inspection process and collaborate with Recycle More to integrate C&D diversion practices into the City’s permit process.

SW-3d Create and distribute a Contractors Guide to educate contractors on the requirements to meet the program conditions that include pre-permit documentation weight tags, post-permit documentation, and consequences for not meeting minimum diversion requirements.

SW-3e Update C&D information on the City’s website to include a more complete comprehensive list of documents, such as:
▪ Pre-permit requirements
▪ Green Halo system requirements
▪ Locations for C&D materials processing/diversion
▪ Weight tag requirements
▪ Post project requirements and signature
▪ Details regarding consequences for not meeting requirements.

SW-3f Partner with the City’s waste hauler, RecycleMore and other C&D organizations to educate on best practices for meeting CalGreen 65% requirements as part of Program 9 in the Housing Element.

SW-3g Use financial grants and assistance from CalRecycle to fund and provide tools for low- and fixed-income projects to meet requirements.

SW-3h Continue to offer online-waste tracking options for the community through the Green Halo compliance system, or a similar system, which allows for receipts to be verified online, streamlining the processes substantially.

SW-4. Analyze opportunities to enhance the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant to divert organic waste from the landfill and increase organics recovery.

SW-4a Complete a feasibility study to identify local partners, analyze the potential waste volume, and assess facility upgrades needed to complete a pilot Organics to Energy Project at the WWTP and the potential cost and GHG emission reduction impacts of such a project.
2030: N/A
2045: N/A
SW-4b Conduct case study assessments of other organics to energy projects at WWTPs to educate City decision makers, the public, and other interested parties on the feasibility of the pilot project and opportunities to enhance the WWTP for organic waste diversion.

SW-4c Partner with an organics-to-energy company to help assess the feasibility of a pilot project for the City and impacted communities.

SW-4d Pursue funding opportunities (e.g., CalRecyle) and financing alternatives to address capital costs for the pilot project.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 34 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
SW-5. Establish new programs to meet the City’s SB 1383 annual procurement target (i.e., 1,073 tons of compost in 2030 and 1,292 tons of compost in 2045) by 2030.

SW-5a Establish a program to procure and provide compost for:
▪ The City’s parks, recreation areas, schools’ landscaping, and school gardens
▪ Garden community organizations such as the Pinole Garden Club ▪ Residential and commercial landscapers
2030: 425
2045: 513
SW-5b Amend or otherwise ensure that the Franchise Agreement for the City’s waste hauler will provide organic waste products at reduced cost.

SW-5c Establish a new program to deliver compost to local schools and community organizations. Expand free compost giveaways to residents, local urban farmers, and other organizations. Track the success of the program based on tons of compost given away and promote the program on the City’s CAAP website and through the City’s social media channels.

SW-5d Complete a feasibility study in collaboration with RecycleMore to identify costeffective end uses for organic waste products and methods to distribute the products.

SW-5e Using established education materials from RecycleMore and other organizations, provide outreach and education to the City’s garden community organizations such as the Pinole Garden Club, resident groups, and commercial landscapers in Pinole on the benefits of using organic end products such as compost and mulch.

SW-5f Partner with Republic Services, or others who own large composting operations in close proximity to the City to provide organic end product to the community at a cost-effective rate.

SW-5g Use the SB 1383 fee to pay for a portion of organic end use products. Use financial grants and assistance from CalRecycle to fund the purchase of organic end product. Focus effort on lower income projects to participate in program.

SW-5h Establish an online mapping location hosted on a City website to identify existing community gardens and make a list of potential underused park space for expansion, setting internal key performance indicators for number of new garden spaces.

Strategy W: Water
Measure W-1. Reduce per capita potable water consumption 10% by 2030 and 25% by 2045, from 2017 levels.

W-1a Continue to implement and enforce Pinole Municipal Code Chapter 15.54 (Water Efficient Landscaping) to encourage use of efficient irrigation systems, greywater usage, onsite storm water capture, and limit the portion of landscapes that can be covered in turf.
2030: N/A
2045: N/A
W-1b Adopt a Water Conservation and Water Shortage Contingency Program Ordinance to establish drought thresholds that trigger varying water use reduction strategies. The Ordinance will focus primarily on domestic water use, health and sanitation, and fire protection.

W-1c Perform a study to understand the feasibility and potential potable water savings of adopting a Dual Drainage Plumbing Ordinance. The feasibility study will help the City determine the size threshold for future development projects subject to the Ordinance.

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 35
Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
W-1d Upon completion of the Feasibility Study in Action W-1c, adopt an appropriate Dual Drainage Plumbing Ordinance.

W-1e Continue to comply with SB 1087 and Municipal Code Chapter 17.32 (Affordable Housing Requirements) requirements to provide priority water and sewer service allocations to affordable housing developments.

W-1f Continue to partner with East Bay Municipal Utility District’s to provide water conserving fixtures/fittings and rebates for appliances to residents throughout Pinole, with a focus on disadvantaged and vulnerable communities to reduce utility bill burdens. Provide specific updates to the community as new programs are released, such as featuring a new indoor plumbing program to help Customer Assistance Program participants find and fix indoor leaks.

W-1g Implement a comprehensive, coordinated educational initiative focused on property owners, landlords, property management firms, homeowners’ associations, and occupants to reduce water usage in homes and businesses. This campaign will incorporate the water conservation messaging of the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), utilizing various communication channels such as publications, websites, community events, workshops, and bill inserts. It will also provide details on available incentives for water-saving appliances, fittings, fixtures, and efficient landscaping irrigation systems, including those offered by EBMUD. Additionally, the campaign will focus on reaching disadvantaged and vulnerable communities to alleviate the burden of utility bills.

W-1h Partner with EBMUD, the Contra Costa Master Gardeners and/or Pinole Garden Club to develop community programs to encourage water-wise landscaping and watering practices and to provide a hands-on learning experience such as sheet mulching lawn conversions for members of the community. Include promotion of EBMUD Lawn Conversion rebates.

W-1i Continue to partner with Rising Sun to provide Green House Calls to residents to provide high-efficiency fixtures/fittings and leak detection tests.

W-1j Work with EBMUD to provide existing commercial entities that have decorative or non-functional turf onsite with the education and resources necessary to transition to regenerative landscapes with a goal of replacing all existing commercial decorative or non-functional turf by 2030.

Measure W-2. Increase the community’s use, supply, and access to recycled water.

W-2a Continue to work with EBMUD to complete a feasibility study to identify opportunities to increase supply of recycled water to the City. The feasibility study will:
▪ Analyze opportunities to expand purple piping infrastructure ▪ Identify opportunities and technologies to increase recycled water supply ▪ Evaluate potential impacts to cost of service
▪ Investigate ways to maintain or decrease costs of service through the projects
▪ Identify customers that would benefit from receiving recycled water within City of Pinole and adjacent to the City, in Hercules or other surrounding jurisdictions, as applicable
2030: N/A
2045: N/A
W-2b Pursue funding opportunities at the state and federal level, such as the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the US Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART grants, to fund recycled water infrastructure and to increase the equitable distribution of recycled water in the City.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 36 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
W-2c Investigate working with EBMUD to promote the installation of greywater equipment in homes and businesses through a multi-lingual Laundry-toLandscape outreach campaign. The campaign shall include:
▪ Educational information on the environmental and financial benefits of greywater systems
▪ Information on how to install and use the systems, including information on EMBUD greywater rebates
▪ Distribution of educational materials at the City’s permitting counter ▪ Supplemental event(s) hosted with EBMUD or industry expert to educate community members on the installation and use of the systems, including an existing residential greywater system demonstration. ▪ Direct outreach to multi-family property owners.

W-2d Create and implement a phased outreach campaign to educate the community on the benefits of recycled water as well as dispelling misconceptions to and increase community use.

W-2e Upon completion of the feasibility study to identify opportunities to increase supply of recycled water to the City, work with EBMUD to develop a Recycled Water Infrastructure Enhancement Plan that outlines the potential for system expansion, identifies opportunities, as applicable, to integrate recycled water sources into non-potable water networks for irrigation, and the promotion of educational campaigns that raise awareness on what recycled water is and how it is used.

Strategy CS: Carbon Sequestration
Measure CS-1. Increase carbon sequestration and prepare the urban forest for climate change, extreme heat, drought, and wildfire by adopting policies developed through the Community Urban Forest Plan.

CS-1a Develop and adopt a Community Urban Forest Plan by 2026 to identify and prioritize tree planting areas in the City. The Plan will:
▪ Inventory the existing urban forest as a baseline and identify areas in Pinole that have below average canopy coverage (such as census block groups 60133640021, 60133640023, and 60133922004) and high urban heat island effects.
▪ Design a tree planting program focused on eliminating significant difference in canopy coverage between census blocks by 2040. ▪ Identify a phased timeframe for program implementation. ▪ Establish a management plan for existing trees that will focus on promoting street tree health, enhancing resilience, increasing the environmental benefits and co-benefits from trees, and engaging the community in urban forest management.
▪ Establish a tracking system to assess progress towards annual goals and annual benchmarks.
2030: N/A
2045: N/A
CS-1b Collaborate with community-based organizations with connections to disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in the development of the Urban Forest Inventory and Management Plan and share the plan on the City’s website.

CS-1c Continue protecting existing trees on private property through the provisions of PMC Chapter 17.96 (Tree Removal) and amend the Municipal Code to require as a condition of approval when a Tree Removal Permit is issued either planting onsite replacement trees or paying an in-lieu fee equal to at the value of the protected tree.

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 37
Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CS-1d Prioritize tree implementation in areas with populations most at risk to extreme heat impacts (older adults, children, outdoor workers, individuals with disabilities, transit dependent individuals, and individuals with chronic health conditions) pursuant to the Urban Forest Inventory and Management Plan.

CS-1e Review, enhance, update, and regularly maintain the City’s existing “Tree” webpage with relevant information, such as best practices for watering and fertilizing trees, guidelines for pruning and maintenance, information on local tree species, and resources for reporting tree damage or disease. Additionally, provide information on the benefits of a healthy tree canopy, including improved air and water quality, reduced urban heat island effects, and increased property values.

CS-1f Amend the Municipal Code to include street tree requirements for all zoning districts, increase shade tree requirements for new developments, and include increased permeable surface requirements for new development or substantial redevelopment.

CS-1g Continue to pursue and obtain grant funding for tree planting and urban forest management. Identify and apply for applicable federal (e.g., USDA) and state (e.g., California ReLeaf, Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC), Cal Fire’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, and the California Natural Resources Agency’s Urban Greening Program) available grants for tree planting and urban greening projects.

CS-1h Develop a City incentive program for new tree plantings on private properties with a focus on members of disadvantaged and vulnerable communities and in areas where there is below average tree equity or canopy coverage, pursuant to the Urban Forest Inventory and Management Plan.

CS-1i Partner with a local nursery to host regular tree planting events and volunteer opportunities to engage community members in the effort to maintain and expand the local tree canopy.

CS-1j Work with a community non-profit organization to develop an adopt a tree program increase the urban tree canopy in marginalized communities CS-1k Establish a Tree Trust or Tree Endowment where the interest on the principal can be used for purchasing and planting trees in prioritized areas pursuant to the Urban Forest Inventory and Management Plan, paying for tree maintenance in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in the City, or supporting staff resources for the Urban Forest Management Program.

Measure CS-2. Increase nature-based and technological carbon sequestration and capture opportunities in Pinole.

CS-2a Seek funding to conduct a study to quantify the carbon stock in existing Pinole blue carbon ecosystems (e.g., eelgrass in San Pablo Bay) and quantify the carbon sequestration potential of blue carbon restoration and expansion. 2030: N/A
2045: N/A
CS-2b Partner with concrete producers to research opportunities for technological carbon sequestration in Pinole including potential funding mechanisms (e.g., Verra’s Methodology for CO2 Utilization in Concrete Production).

CS-2c Based on the studies, develop a plan to increase carbon sequestration in Pinole.

The plan shall include a quantitative carbon sequestration target to achieve by 2045 and a process for regular monitoring of carbon stocks.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 38 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CS-2d Create an educational campaign that informs members of the community about the benefits and methods associated with carbon sequestration and capture that avoids jargon and clearly explains the opportunities and benefits in the City.

Confirm that the educational materials are provided in a multi-lingual, culturally considerate manner and distributed specifically to disadvantaged community members.

Adaptation
Strategy CAR: Community Adaptation and Resilience
Measure CAR-1. Establish a reliable resilience center in the City to provide relief from extreme weather events, including extreme heat, flooding, and smoke from wildfires.

CAR-1a Conduct an assessment on the effectiveness of current City resilience center operations. Conduct a study regarding the feasibility of additional community locations (e.g., Pinole Youth Center and Pinole Library) that could serve as resilience centers by evaluating current amenities and resources available. As part of the studies, verify that the needs of vulnerable populations are met during climate hazard events and host focus groups with selected community-based organizations and other interested parties to identify needs for their service population.

N/A
CAR-1b Identify and apply for funding opportunities that support development of a resilience center, and/or staff positions to maintain the center, such as the Office of Planning and Research Regional Resilience Grant Program.

CAR-1c Utilizing the City’s “Energy Conservation, Generation, and Storage Assessment” conducted in 2024, establish an upgrade and maintenance cycle, including replacement of filters with at least a MERV 11 rating on a quarterly basis for all existing HVAC systems in City owned buildings.

CAR-1d Work with WestCAT to establish a list of vulnerable community members (e.g., older adults, who may not be able to access a vehicle or public transportation during a heat wave), as well as a program to transport them to established resilience centers.

CAR-1e Provide essential resources such as health programs, food, refrigeration, charging stations, basic medical supplies, and other emergency supplies at all City resilience centers, as well as educational materials on resources and climate adaptation and preparedness. Audit and refresh supplies on a biannual basis, including information on any new or updated programs or resilience center locations.

CAR-1f Partner with local public or private entities to establish resilience centers at privately owned facilities in the City.

Measure CAR-2. Provide streamlined communication to the public on climate adaptation preparedness, resilience, and evacuation.

CAR-2a Review and update the City’s Emergency Information webpage21 to reflect ways to prepare for events that may be likely to increase due to climate change, including wildfires, floods, extreme precipitation, extreme heat, poor air quality, and drought, as well as heat-related illness, exacerbate mental stress, and respiratory diseases
N/A
21 https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=10947056&pageId=14640371#emergency

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 39
Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CAR-2b Assess current City capacity to shelter displaced residents including facilities, infrastructure, services, and community programs during an extreme weather event.

CAR-2c Partner with community-based organizations to establish a working group to develop designated temporary housing options for wildfire displaced residents to live in for up to two years after their home is destroyed or severely damaged.

CAR-2d Require that all emergency preparedness and evacuation communications are provided in plain language and translated into Spanish, Tagalog, and Cantonese to support non or limited English speakers. Increase participation in emergency notification systems including the Community Warning System and PG&E Community Wildfire Safety Program through social media campaigns and physical flyer distribution.

CAR-2e Provide administrative support and dedicate staff time for grant writing and funding tracking for climate adaptation and resilience projects, including opportunities to increase and enhance communication such as preparation of interactive websites and information sharing resources.

CAR-2f Identify critical facilities in need of reliable sources of sustained electrical power during events of extreme climate. Assess power loads at each critical facility, determine costs and technology options for battery storage, and make any additional recommendations to the City Council prior to advancing construction.

CAR-2g Utilize Pinole Community Television (PCTV) to provide consistent information to community members about adaptation preparedness by providing multi-lingual information that is accessible for people including seniors, individuals with disabilities, children, and caregivers.

CAR-2h Create evacuation procedures for vulnerable populations in partnership with community-based organizations and facilities that serve identified populations.

Host and/or participate in in-person engagement and incorporate games/activities to educate the community on preparedness.

CAR-2i Require that the City’s resilience centers have adequate backup power sources and battery storage to mitigate service disruptions and provide redundancy in the event of a power outage.

Strategy FL: Flood Control
Measure FL-1. Improve the quality of and reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff through Implementation of the Pinole Green Infrastructure Plan.

FL-1a Prepare a feasibility study to investigate potential infrastructure improvements to relocate critical City infrastructure, such as the Senior Center, Pinole Police Department, and Tiny Tots, from the 100-year flood zone. The feasibility study would include:

1. Identifying potential alternative locations for the City’s critical infrastructure that’s located in the 100-year flood zone.

2. Preliminary design and construction of new buildings or facilities.

3. Analysis of costs associated with relocating facilities as well as the potential costs of doing nothing.

4. Outreach to community members and other interested parties to confirm that the relocation aligns with the community’s needs.

N/A
FL-1b Continue participation in the Contra Costa County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update; identify flood mitigation actions eligible for grant funding through FEMA hazard mitigation assistance programs.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 40 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
FL-1c Encourage landlords to consider how to prepare their properties for flooding by providing retrofit informational resources and educate them on prioritizing lowimpact stormwater best practices.

FL-1d Create educational campaigns that connect with vulnerable populations to increase awareness and knowledge of how to mitigate and weather flooding.

FL-1e Identify and apply for grant opportunities to fund stormwater related projects from sources such as the State Water Resources Control Board, California Natural Resources Agency, the Coastal Conservancy, California Water Foundation, as well as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture.

FL-1f Review existing best practice and conduct studies of combined riverine/ shoreline flooding and increased severity of rainfall events on watershed flooding.

FL-1g Complete the Storm Drainage Master Plan as identified in the Capital Improvement Plan to thoroughly investigate deficiencies in the existing storm drain system and prioritize infrastructure improvements.

FL-1h Implement stormwater and drainage projects identified in the City Capital Improvement Plan, to mitigate localized flooding incidents.

FL-1i Conduct post-flood inspections for residents and business owners upon request and provide post-disaster home repair and technical assistance for vulnerable communities.

Strategy SLR: Sea Level Rise
Measure SLR-1 Create, restore, and protect natural coastal ecosystems.

SLR-1a Conduct a shoreline stabilization study to determine the most effective methods for protecting Pinole’s coastal communities and infrastructure from erosion and sea level rise, and to identify opportunities for restoring natural shoreline habitats that can serve as a buffer against storm surges and other impacts of climate change. The study would involve the following:

1. Assessing the physical characteristics of the shoreline

2. Evaluating the potential risks and benefits of different stabilization techniques

3. Engaging with local community members and other interested parties to ensure that the chosen strategies align with community needs and values

4. Prioritizing options that enhance and maximize shoreline resources and access including considering innovative nature-based solution approaches
N/A
SLR-1b In collaboration with Contra Costa County and state agencies, develop a sea level rise resilience and adaptation strategy with shoreline restoration projects using innovative nature-based solutions and green engineering that would enhance public access, shoreline habitat (e.g., re-establishing native dune habitats, wetlands, and lagoons) and increase shoreline recreational opportunities.

SLR-1c Partner with the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and/or similar entities, regarding regional approaches, strategies, and mitigation actions to address sea level rise. Implement a Shoreline Management Plan, and/or a Shoreline Monitoring Program that would identify erosional hotspots and timely response.

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 41
Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
SLR-1d Establish annual budgets for projects within and benefiting vulnerable populations (2016, Assembly Bill 1550), including seniors, individuals with disabilities, children, low-income communities, and communities in low-lying areas.

SLR-1e Research external funding opportunities, including grants to support shoreline resilience, shoreline restoration projects, or beach nourishment (e.g., Living Shoreline and Nature-based solution projects). Examples of grantee agencies are California Coastal Conservancy, California Coastal Commission, California Ocean Protection Council, NOAA, California Division of Boating and Waterways.

SLR-1f Identify replacement opportunities or otherwise plan for how to replace recreational areas and accessways that will be lost due to inundation or damage associated with sea level rise. It might be done through the designation and zonation of lands into a Local Coastal Program or providing additional incentives to encourage creation of new recreation areas or opportunities. Additionally, plan for future shoreline recreational space and parkland by protecting open space adjacent to shoreline habitats, allowing the beach and habitats to migrate into these spaces.

SLR-1g Partner with West Contra Costa Unified School District, private schools in Pinole, East Bay Parks, East Bay Municipal Utility District, Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed, 350 Contra Costa, or similar entities to create educational opportunities for the community around the Pinole Creek Watershed. These programs would focus on educating youth in Pinole on the importance of natural shoreline ecosystems, their role in climate resilience, biodiversity, and local, native species. The programs would also include information on how people can actively get involved in adapting to climate change in their homes and neighborhoods and provide hands-on volunteer opportunities for the community to participate.

SLR-1h Increase the City’s near and long-term capacity building to be able to develop and implement thoughtful shoreline resilience projects by creating a position for and hiring a shoreline resilience expert. The specific title may vary depending on the individual's background and the focus of their work within the broader context of climate change and sea level rise.

Strategy EH: Extreme Heat
Measure EH-1. Reduce the impacts of extreme heat in Pinole by installing green/cool roofs and cool pavement, as well as planting vegetation and trees to reduce urban temperatures and the urban heat island effect.

EH-1a Partner with West Contra Costa School District and the private schools in the City to map out each campus in Pinole to understand the current infrastructure and then develop a plan to reduce the heat islands in Pinole’s schools and adjacent areas, including on walking routes by plant trees or increasing shade structures as appropriate.

N/A
EH-1b Establish a tree removal replacement policy where trees that are removed are replaced with shade trees that are adapted to the area.

EH-1c In collaboration with Contra Costa Health Services, establish local early heat warning system that provides public health alerts in Spanish, Tagalog, and Cantonese.

EH-1d Complete an assessment that evaluates new cool pavement technology, cost/benefits, and challenges and opportunities. Upon completion of the study, conduct a pilot of cool pavement application at a centralized area in Pinole that is most impacted by extreme heat to demonstrate success of the program.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 42 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
EH-1e Partner with WestCAT to audit existing bus stops in the City of Pinole with information detailing the current structures around the transit stops. Create a prioritization list of stops with low shading scores. Identify opportunities to add, replace, or upgrade existing transit stop shelters to provide increased shade for the transit riders and work with WestCAT to implement the identified opportunities.

EH-1f Identify trees, grasses, and shrubs with greatest cooling benefits and maximum biodiversity potential and plant them in prioritized open spaces.

EH-1g Identify grant funding opportunities and engage with local nurseries (e.g., Oaktown, Watershed Nursery, and Native Here) and tree planting programs to identify appropriate and cost-effective California native plants/trees that can be both planted in the ground or remain potted by residents living in rental/multifamily homes.

EH-1h Amend the Building Code to require cool roofs for all new construction.

EH-1i Partner with MCE and emergency management services to establish backup power and energy grid shutdown protocols that protect the most vulnerable populations (e.g., seniors, individuals with chronic health conditions, children, individuals with disabilities).

EH-1j Identify opportunities to apply compost as mulch at City open spaces to improve water-holding capacity and filtration to combat extreme heat.

EH-1k Identify a location in the City to establish a “Community Corner” redevelopment project as a model design project to reduce urban temperatures. Incorporate trees, grasses, and shrubs with the greatest cooling benefits into the project, utilize compost in the project’s landscaping, and incorporate cool pavement technology, cool roofs, and shade structures where applicable. Further consider incorporating a rain garden and resilience center resources into the redevelopment project and publicize all resilient design elements through signage on the property and community tours.

EH-1l Support development of community-serving microgrids and prioritize areas with high social vulnerability.

Measure EH-2. Map out and create a mural or set of murals using reflective paint to reduce interior heat in areas of Pinole that are most impacted by the urban heat island effect by 2026.

EH-2a Partner with NASA, or a similar organization to create a digital map of the City showing neighborhoods where it is the hottest and identify a location or locations to pilot an urban heat mural project.

N/A
EH-2b Post the map on the City’s website and host community feedback sessions to update the analysis included in the map based on real lived experiences.

Additionally, post mural design concepts that are created as part of Action EH-2c to foster a sense of ownership over the project.

EH-2c Create a partnership with Contra Costa College, Pinole Artisans, West Contra Costa Unified School District, private schools, and/or similar interested parties and community-based organizations to design and paint mural(s) that inspire the community while reducing indoor heat using reflective paint.

EH-2d Install indoor and outdoor temperature sensors in the identified locations prior to completing the mural and continue to track data after the murals are installed to measure indoor changes in temperature to quantify the benefits of the project.

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Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 43
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ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
EH-2e Identify and apply for grants to fund the completion of the mural and/or work with cool paint manufacturers to supply a small amount of paint at no cost for a pilot project where their name would be included on a plaque with volunteer artists who partner with the City to donate their time and expertise to create a unique project.

EH-2f Host a community unveiling ceremony where the artists and project partners are invited to participate in a meet and greet and celebrate the community in an unveiling celebration that can also be used to provide the community with information on the status of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan implementation and resources including relevant community incentives and rebates.

Strategy WF: Wildfire
Measure WF-1. Enforce defensible space and home hardening standards to mitigate structure ignitions from wind blow embers and direct flame impingement in fire hazard severity zones and protect the community from wildfires.

WF-1a Partner with Housing Authority Contra Costa to conduct a study that estimates potential housing displacement impacts associated with wildfire events.

N/A
WF-1b Conduct a feasibility study and if recommended, amend the Pinole Building Code Title 15 (Building and Construction) to require best-practice Ignition Resistant Construction methods for new construction and substantial redevelopment in the wildfire hazard zone.

WF-1c Develop a subsidy program to improve air quality in the homes of low-income residents or vulnerable community members to mitigate impacts from wildfire smoke.

WF-1d Partner with West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council to help secure grant funding for mitigation activities that promote fire safe retrofits of existing structures that meet ignition-resistant building codes.

WF-1e Conduct a built asset vulnerability assessment to identify which City-owned facilities and infrastructure have the highest risk to wildfire impacts, identify opportunities to mitigate risk and implement changes.

WF-1f Evaluate and help identify and apply for funding for infrastructure improvements at Pinole Fire Station 74 to mitigate against wildfire hazards (fire breaks, fire resistant building materials, etc.).

WF-1g Actively engage in collaborative efforts to reduce wildfire risks, implementing effective mitigation strategies, and fostering a culture of fire safety through education and community involvement to achieve Firewise22 recognition.

WF-1h Prepare, adopt, and fully implement a Vegetation Management Plan for high-fire risk areas.
22 Firewise USA® recognition program is administered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the ignition resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. The Firewise USA program is a part of California’s efforts to ensure communities are prepared against wildfire, and CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal’s new Community Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation Division works to assist local communities in receiving this designation.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 44 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
WF-1i Continue to conduct proactive vegetation/weed abatement enforcement by removing vegetation and/or brush in areas adjacent to wildfire hazard zones, including both public and private property. Establish a comprehensive defensible space zone and fire breaks within the VHFHSZ, and a regular maintenance schedule. A FEMA approved HMP can establish eligibility for grant funding to complete fuel modification projects.

WF-1j Locate future critical facilities outside of the wildfire hazard zone.

WF-1k Continue to coordinate with PG&E through Rule 20A Program to underground utility lines to mitigate wildfire risk.

WF-1l Conduct on-going workshops on defensible space, vegetation management, and home-hardening techniques based upon most up to date CAL FIRE management guidelines and policies for landowners in fire hazard severity zones.

WF-1m Foster a community partnership that can successfully apply for and receive funding from programs such as the CAL FIRE Defensible Space Assistance Grant program and upcoming opportunities that become available.

Municipal
Strategy CIO: Strategy CIO: City Infrastructure and Operations Measure CIO-1. Upgrade all City accounts to MCE’s Deep Green option by 2025 and electrify or otherwise decarbonize all municipal buildings and facilities by 2035.

CIO-1a Adopt an electrification ordinance in 2024 requiring all new municipal construction to be fully electric after calendar year 2024 without any natural gas connections.

N/A
CIO-1b Complete an analysis to identify the electrical capacity and utility infrastructure upgrades needed to electrify the recreational pool heating system. Pursue replacement funding through PG&E on-bill financing and California Energy Commission (CEC) 1% Loans.

CIO-1c By 2025, adopt a Resolution requiring the implementation of a building and facility electrification plan to electrify or otherwise decarbonize all municipal buildings by 2035.

CIO-1d Develop a plan to electrify or otherwise decarbonize all municipal buildings and facilities by 2035 which will include:
▪ An inventory of existing fossil fuel-powered buildings and facility equipment, available electric or zero/low-carbon alternatives for replacing each, and relevant costs and benefits of replacing each (e.g., lifespan, equipment costs, operational quality).
▪ A prioritized schedule for completion based on potential to reduce natural gas and propane usage.
▪ Prioritize upgrades that benefit vulnerable communities first, such as the Senior Center, Youth Center, and Tiny Tots facilities.

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 45
Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CIO-1e Expand efforts to obtain funding for municipal building and facility decarbonization through grants, incentives, or financing provided by entities such as:
▪ DOE Block Grants
▪ Leases: Capital lease, Operating Lease, Tax-Exempt Lease purchase (4-5%) ▪ Loans and Grants: 1% CEC Loan, Dept. of Energy Grants, Federal Grants (IIJA, IRA)
▪ On-Bill Financing
▪ Energy as a Service (EaaS)
▪ Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC, guaranteed energy savings help pay for the project) from Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) ▪ Grant Anticipation Notes or other Short-Term Notes/Loans CIO-1f Upgrade all municipal electricity accounts to MCE Deep Green by 2025.

CIO-1g Plan, fund, and conduct an electrification pilot project at a municipal facility (e.g., the Library). Promote the demonstrated benefits of the fully electric building (e.g., cost-savings, GHG emission reductions) and publicize the planning, design, installation, and post-operation of the project to make the steps to electrification transparent to the community.

CIO-1h Partner with regional organizations such as the Building Decarbonization Coalition to train City staff, community members and volunteers on the benefits and technical requirements of electrification, help them implement the building and facility electrification plan and empower them to be advocates for electrification across the community.

Measure CIO-2. Electrify or otherwise decarbonize 30% of the municipal vehicle fleet by 2026 and 100% by 2040.

CIO-2a Expand and update the City’s fleet vehicle replacement schedule to transition 30% of the municipal vehicle fleet to ZEVs by 2026 and 100% by 2040. Review the replacement schedule and ZEV transition goals every 2 years and update them as needed based on updates to state regulation and ZEV market availability.

N/A
CIO-2b Complete a Municipal Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan to analyze the City’s charging needs through 2026 and 2040. The plan shall include:
▪ A prioritized list of City-owned properties/locations to install new Level II and DC Fast chargers
▪ An assessment of future electricity demand and potentially energyconstrained locations ▪ A pathway to coordinate with PG&E on installing microgrids or back-up power at City-owned properties to support the ZEVs
CIO-2c Secure funding from state programs (such as the California Air Resources Board's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project and the Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program) and federal sources to increase procurement of EV or ZEV cars, trucks, and other vehicles and installation of EV/ZEV charging/fueling infrastructure at municipal facilities. Additionally, explore opportunities for Low Carbon Fuel Standard credit generation from use of low carbon fuels/electricity for fleet vehicles.

CIO-2d Dedicate staff time to implementing, tracking, and updating the City fleet vehicle replacement plan bi-annually.

CIO-2e Partner with an entity such as Contra Costa Transportation Authority, to train City staff on the use and charging of electric and zero-emission vehicles and educate them on the benefits of EVs/ZEVs.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 46 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CIO-2f Consider highlighting the City’s EV/ZEV fleet at community events such as Earth Month.

CIO-2g Establish electric vehicle charging infrastructure at and around all City-owned facilities. Apply the profit from community charging towards installing electric vehicle infrastructure in vulnerable communities. Additionally, develop a thoughtful pricing plan that is reviewed and updated annually, or more frequently as appropriate.

Measure CIO-3. Electrify or otherwise decarbonize all municipal off-road equipment by 2035, where feasible.

CIO-3a Complete an inventory of all municipal off-road equipment and determine which equipment types are possible to decarbonize based on existing technologies.

Complete a cost analysis and schedule for decarbonizing.

N/A
CIO-3b Adopt an emissions-free equipment purchasing policy by 2025 for light-duty vehicles and small off-road equipment and vehicles to require purchase and replacement of such categories be electric or emissions-free. Regularly update the policy to include more types of equipment and vehicles as electric and emission-free options become available. Use this to promote all-electric equipment in the community, providing information on the City website outlining available incentives as well as the health benefits, for residents and businesses.

CIO-3c Dedicate staff time to implementing and tracking the success of the emissionsfree purchasing policy established as part of CIO-3b.

CIO-3d Dedicate staff time and pursue funding opportunities to electrify and otherwise decarbonize municipal off-road equipment through programs such as:
▪ CORE Incentives
▪ Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) incentives including the Carl Moyer Program
CIO-3e Partner with the East Bay Regional Park District to co-lead a multi-lingual educational program for staff and City contractors detailing the benefits of using decarbonized off-road equipment, with an emphasis on improved worker health and details on comparable equipment productivity. Information from the educational program should be summarized into an infographic format and posted at parks, City-owned and operated buildings, and shared in the City’s newsletter to highlight the emissions and overall health benefits in a way that is easily understood.

CIO-3f By 2030, begin procuring biofuels (e.g., biodiesel and biogas) to operate municipally owned off-road equipment with no existing opportunities for electrification. Re-evaluate electrification opportunities regularly to ensure biofuels are not being used for equipment that could otherwise be electrified.

Measure CIO-4. Reduce employee VMT 20% by 2035, from 2019 levels by developing and implementing a municipal Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan by 2028.

CIO-4a With employee input, develop a municipal Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan by 2028 to encourage and incentivize City employees to reduce their VMT in single-occupancy and fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. Update the plan every 2-3 years based on survey results (e.g., Action CIO-4d) and newly available public transit and bike routes in the community.

N/A

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Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 47
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ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CIO-4b Create an incentive program to reward City employees for biking, ridesharing, and using public transit to commute to work. The program shall provide free public transit passes and free access to electric bicycle programs (where available) to all municipal employees and may include cash incentives or additional paid time-off for employees who bike, rideshare, and use public transit to commute to work.

CIO-4c Investigate the opportunity to create zero-interest loan program to help employees purchase ZEVs for commute.

CIO-4d Develop a remote work policy that encourages municipal office employees to work from home and includes alternative work schedules where feasible.

CIO-4e Explore options for installing showers in existing City-owned facilities and bike lockers along City-owned streets, where appropriate, to encourage City employees to bike to work and demonstrate the City’s commitment to sustainability and community bicycle safety.

CIO-4f Partner with an entity such as the WestCAT or the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) to expand employee use of carbon-free and low carbon transportation by providing education programs on the benefits of commute options including public transportation, EV/ZEV options, and vanpools.

Additionally, partner with 511 Contra Costa to help employees find a carpool match.

CIO-4g Promote and encourage employee participation in regional and national bike-towork days/months.

CIO-4h Develop funding sources to support incentives for City employees to commute to work via EV/ZEV options such as free or discounted employee charging at work.

CIO-4i Publish the municipal TDM Plan on the City’s website and distribute to local businesses to provide the community an example of comprehensive TDM plans that focused on GHG emission reductions and equity.

CIO-4j Conduct a survey for City staff commute data annually to monitor emissions, identify potential gaps in planning, and better understand how to elicit employee transportation behavior change. Include space for employee feedback and identification of barriers to commuting without a personal vehicle.

CIO-4k Dedicate staff time to develop, implement, and update the municipal TDM Plan and conduct the annual survey.

Measure CIO-5. Reduce waste generation by 15% by 2025, from 2019 levels and landfill zero waste by 2035.

CIO-5a Conduct an indoor and outdoor water audit at all municipal buildings and schedule develop a schedule for water efficiency improvements.

N/A
CIO-5b Adopt a Resolution and assign funding to retrofit or replace all inefficient shower heads, faucets, washing machines, and toilets with low-flow fixtures/waterefficient appliances in existing City-owned, managed, or operated facilities, such as, but not limited to, the Pinole Swim Center, Pinole Senior Center, Pinole Youth Center, and Public Service Facilities by 2030.

CIO-5c Update the municipal purchasing policy to require WaterSense labeled fixtures and appliances, where feasible. This includes continuing to install waterless units such as urinals and sensor activated sinks.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 48 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CIO-5d Require all non-functional lawns (i.e., grass that is ornamental and not used for recreational purposes) on City-owned property to be removed by 2035 and replaced with native and drought-tolerant landscaping and/or multi-use landscaping (e.g., pollinator-friendly landscapes, edible landscapes).

CIO-5e Identify, track, and actively pursue funding opportunities from entities such as the California Department of Water Resources and the California Environmental Protection Agency.

CIO-5f Partner with the Pinole Community Garden Club, Contra Costa County Master Gardeners, or Bringing Back the Natives to educate City employees and the community on water-wise gardening practices, native plants, and growing food, with a focus on the most vulnerable communities.

CIO-5g Develop and implement a plan to update City-owned properties with improved green stormwater infrastructure (e.g., stormwater systems that direct water towards vegetation, permeable surfaces).

CIO-5h Install submetering at City owned and operated buildings and facilities to track and monitor water use, including creating a succinct way to internally track specific use and complete repairs or prepare targeted education.

CIO-5i Install rain barrels at the Library to water the native garden as a demonstration project to educate the community about the benefits of collecting rainwater and available incentives. Based on the project’s success, consider installing rain barrels at all City facilities for use in landscaping.

Measure CIO-6. Reduce municipal water consumption 10% by 2030, from 2019 levels.

CIO-6a Require implementation of the Single Use Plastic Ordinance at all City departments, events, and contracts.

N/A
CIO-6b Provide reusable mugs and foodware items to all new and existing employees to use in an effort to encourage the use of reusable alternatives to single-use items.

Provide information on the benefits of reusing resources.

CIO-6c Complete an audit on current bin infrastructure and bin signage in each municipal facility and at City events. Establish a clear plan to install/distribute adequate compost and recycling bins throughout all facilities and to all events, and improve signage so that accepted landfill, recyclable, and compostable materials are clearly identified for each bin.

CIO-6d Partner with an entity such as Republic Services to provide annual training to City employees on current waste management practices, any modifications to the practices, and proper disposal methods. Empower them to educate the community on the benefits and proper methods of recycling and composting and use this as an opportunity to promote the City’s existing programs, such as the free mulch program, shredding program, household hazardous waste collection, as well as expand programs as appropriate.

CIO-6e Work with CalRecycle and similar entities to identify and secure grants that fund waste diversion and educational programs.

CIO-6f Create a shared resource area within each City-owned facility dedicated to lightly used office supplies such as staplers, tape dispensers, pens, and pads of paper, facilitating the reuse of items among staff members and promoting efficiency and reducing waste.

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 49
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ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CIO-6g Partner with local jurisdictions including surrounding cities and the county to create an inter-office or inter-jurisdiction surplus program where City offices can provide items (e.g., pieces of furniture) for reuse for free to other offices within the City or other jurisdictions.

CIO-6h Create a buy-nothing group for City staff to share resources and items that they may no longer be interested in or have a use for at their homes.

CIO-6i Perform a waste audit every two years to track waste sources, gaps in signage and education, and opportunities to strengthen the purchasing policy (e.g., based on problem-some materials continuing to the landfill or the contaminating recycling and composting streams).

Measure CIO-7. Retrofit existing infrastructure owned and operated by the City, such as the Pinole-Hercules Water Pollution Control Plant, located in the areas at risk of sea level rise.

CIO-7a Complete a feasibility study to evaluate various options for infrastructure improvements of Pinole-Hercules Water Pollution Control Plant to mitigate against sea level rise and flood hazards. Develop a long-term management plan to address impacts of sea level rise, which incorporates any potential maintenance, relocation, or retrofits and structural changes to accommodate changes in sea level.

N/A
CIO-7b Collaborate with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board to increase the Pinole-Hercules Water Pollution Control Plant’s resilience to sea level rise and stronger storms. For example, implement a trigger-based Coastal Hazard Monitoring Program, which would allow to implement improvements or relocate in a timely manner, and conduct feasibility studies from technical experts, retrofitting, relocating, or eliminating outfalls deemed “at risk.” CIO-7c Provide alternate routes and ensure redundancy of critical transportation routes, as possible, to allow for continued access and movement to and along the coast in instances in which sections of roadways may become temporarily impassible because of shoreline hazards. Additionally, inform City staff, residents, and visitors about alternate routes to shoreline areas.

CIO-7d Host working groups with community-based organizations, experts in the field, and interested parties to identify and prioritize vulnerable communities, involve them in decision-making, use community benefits agreements, prioritize underserved communities, and consider the financial impact on residents.

CIO-7e Identify and apply for a grant funding source to fund facility upgrades, relocation, or additional analysis through entities such as the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, California Coastal Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

CIO-7f Conduct a detailed and City-specific groundwater emergence threat assessment, factoring in local geomorphology and groundwater data, for use in future planning and analysis.

CIO-7g Incorporate policy guidance and model ordinance language in Citywide plans, policies, and regulations to prioritize strategies that reduce potential impacts due to sea level rise and shoreline hazards and increase the resilience of the City’s shoreline areas.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 50 Move
ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
Strategy CG: City Governance
Measure CG-1. Build staffing capacity to effectively implement the CAAP Mitigation Measures and update the CAAP triennially.

CG-1a Create a new full-time staff position to oversee CAAP implementation, monitoring, and reporting; and cross-department collaboration (i.e., Climate Coordinator work in Action CG-1).

N/A
CG-1b Identify a Climate Coordinator from each of the City’s main departments and divisions. The Climate Coordinators will meet for quarterly sustainability peer-topeer information sharing sessions to discuss challenges, brainstorm solutions, and track progress towards reaching the City’s CAAP key performance indicators.

This team will serve as the key organizers for cross-departmental collaboration needed to implement climate goals, as well as community contacts and key researchers for emerging technologies and best practices in climate action.

CG-1c Conduct an annual staff survey to determine the following:
▪ Existing staff interest in leading climate initiatives to identify internal champions.
▪ Staff capacity to implement CAAP actions, monitor progress, and report updates; and associated capacity gaps to fill.

CG-1d Include a description of Pinole’s climate goals and values in job postings, improving talent acquisition and potentially boosting retention and worker morale.

CG-1e Identify and apply for climate staffing assistance through fellowship/internship programs including the Climate Corps Fellowship, California Pacific University, and CivicSpark to increase internal staff capacity for CAAP implementation and bring in innovative ideas.

CG-1f Earmark funding for CAAP updates.

Measure CG-2. Establish reporting procedures to implement the CAAP measures and transparently communicate progress to the community.

CG-2a Join the Institute for Local Government’s Beacon Program to support transparent CAAP reporting through access to technical assistance, regional networking and education opportunities, and opportunities to recognize Pinole’s climate action achievements.

N/A
CG-2b Conduct a communitywide GHG inventory every two years and a municipal GHG inventory every five years.

CG-2c Report communitywide GHG emissions and progress on Mitigation Measures annually through public reporting tools (e.g., CAPDash) and utilize social media to post updates and results so the community can easily stay up to date.

CG-2d Regularly update Pinole’s CAAP webpage, Sustainability webpages (e.g., Community Choice Energy, EV Charging Stations, Single Use Plastic Reduction), and applicable Public Works webpages (e.g., Water, Garbage and Recycling, Trees) to provide up-to-date information on ordinance, program, and policies as they are updated through CAAP implementation.

CG-2e Explore and track the success of different ways to communicate climate progress transparently to the public (e.g., a dashboard, semi-regular social media posts, City webpages, Pinole TV). Track the number of clicks made on specific links to identify the most successful mechanisms for engagement.

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ID # Strategies and Respective Supporting Measures and Actions Anticipated GHG
Emissions
Reduction by 2030
(MT of CO2e)1
CG-2f Translate key climate outreach materials into non-English languages. Explore partnerships through nonprofits and other organizations that can assist in translation of key materials.

CG-2g Communicate Pinole’s climate and green economic development commitments through City branding and communications (beyond dedicated webpages and resources) and utilize existing City meetings and events to emphasize the importance of climate action and bring it into regular City and community discussions.

CG-2h Earmark annual funding for the CAAP update in the budget to demonstrate commitment to implementation and monitoring and to provide a consistent conduit of funding.

Note: MT of CO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent Source: Compiled by Rincon based on information contained in the Draft Pinole Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

The measures and actions shown above in Table 2, combined with existing State legislation and City initiatives, would enable Pinole to meet its GHG emissions reduction target pathway to reduce GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. Table 3 summarizes the communitywide GHG emissions forecasts under the BAU and ABAU scenarios, as well as with implementation of the Pinole CAAP, beginning from 2025 through 2045.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 52 Table 3 Pinole 2030 GHG Emissions Forecasts (MT of CO2e) GHG Emissions Pathways 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
BAU Forecast 79,501 84,515 88,764 93,183 97,772
Adjusted Forecast 69,558 68,902 67,403 68,262 69,901
Forecast with CAAP 59,697 47,273 33,147 17,810 1,155
Source: Compiled from the Pinole Climate Action and Adaptation Plan Figure 4 depicts the 2030 and 2045 GHG emissions targets for Pinole, including anticipated emissions once the measure and actions listed in Table 2 are implemented. Figure 4 also illustrates the forecasted BAU and ABAU emissions, and the target pathway to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

Figure 4 Pinole GHG Emissions Projections and Targets
Table 4 shows the Pinole climate action target emissions and the emissions reductions expected from implementing the measures and actions shown in Table 2. Table 4 also shows that Pinole would meet its 2030 GHG reduction target and make substantial progress towards the 2045 goal of carbon neutrality.

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Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 53
Table 4 Targets Versus GHG Reductions
Target/Forecast
2030 GHG Emissions
(MT of CO2e)
2045 GHG Emissions
(MT of CO2e)
Adjusted Forecast 68,902 69,901
Pinole Targets 47,389 0
GHG Reductions from Full Implementation of CAAP
Measures
21,628 68,746
GHG Emissions after Measure Reductions
(Adjusted Forecast – GHG Emissions Reductions)
47,273 1,155
Target Anticipated to be Met? Yes Substantial progress demonstrated MT of CO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
Source: Compiled from the Pinole Draft CAAP and the GHG Forecast Report The CAAP would provide substantial progress toward meeting the City’s carbon neutrality goal by 2045. However, full implementation of the Pinole CAAP would leave a gap of approximately 1,155 MT of CO2e that would still need to be addressed to achieve carbon neutrality. As such, the Pinole CAAP acknowledges that additional actions beyond those identified in the plan will be necessary to achieve carbon neutrality and, therefore, provides a mechanism for adopting CAAP updates every five years. This allows for certainty in the updated schedule, confirms that the carbon neutrality work is directly tied to the City’s financial decision making and prioritization process and allows for constant integration of learning, best practices, and new measures and technologies to further the City toward meeting its goal of carbon neutrality.

Implementation of the Pinole CAAP measures and actions identified in Table 2 could result in physical changes that could potentially have an impact on the environment. While individual projects resulting from these measures have not been identified for the purposes of this document, the types of actions that could result from realization of the measures and actions are taken into account in considering potential environmental impacts that could occur through implementation of the CAAP. For example, the use of carbon-free electricity may require the installation of new infrastructure to accommodate use and transmission of alternative and renewable fuels. Similarly, increasing the use of EVs would require the installation of EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure. Additionally, Pinole’s CAAP implementation may require the installation of new bicycle or pedestrian facilities. These types of activities would introduce physical changes, such as the temporary presence and operation of construction vehicles and equipment during installation of required facilities, and the long-term presence of new facilities such as bike and pedestrian facilities, solar arrays, and EV charging stations, which could alter pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns.

Future plans or projects requiring discretionary approval would be subject to environmental review under CEQA, and individual impact analyses may identify required plan- or project-specific mitigation measures where applicable.

Pinole CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds
In 2007, SB 97 acknowledged that climate change is an environmental issue that requires analysis in CEQA documents, and in 2010 the California Natural Resources Agency adopted amendments to the CEQA Guidelines for the feasible mitigation of GHG emissions or the effects of GHG emissions. The adopted guidelines gave lead agencies the discretion to set quantitative or qualitative thresholds for the assessment and mitigation of GHGs and climate change impacts. Specifically, Section 15183.5(b)(1)A-G of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations was amended to state that a

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 54 qualified GHG Reduction Plan, or a Climate Action Plan, may be used for tiering and streamlining the analysis of GHG emissions in subsequent CEQA project evaluation, provided that the GHG Reduction Plan or Climate Action Plan does the following:
▪ Quantifies GHG emissions both existing and projected over a specific period of time, resulting from activities within a defined geographical area.
▪ Establishes a level, based on substantial evidence, below which the contribution to greenhouse gas emissions from activities covered by the plan would not be cumulatively considerable. ▪ Identifies and analyzes the GHG emissions resulting from specific actions or categories of actions anticipated within the geographic area.
▪ Specifies measures or a group of measures, including performance standards, that substantial evidence demonstrates, if implemented on a project-by-project basis, would collectively achieve the specified emissions level.
▪ Establishes a mechanism to monitor the plan's progress toward achieving the level and to require amendment if the plan is not achieving specified levels. ▪ Be adopted in a public process following environmental review.

Therefore, the City of Pinole proposes to also adopt quantitative efficiency thresholds for use in evaluating whether a plan or project’s GHG emissions would result in a potentially significant environmental impact under CEQA for plans or projects with pre-2030 buildout or initial operation years. The CEQA GHG emissions thresholds would be applied to plans or projects that cannot tier from the environmental analysis for the Pinole Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (as contained in this Initial Study- Negative Declaration [IS-ND]) due to one of the following circumstances, which are illustrated in Figure 5:
▪ The plan or project would not be consistent with the Pinole General Plan land use and zoning designations for the project site and would result in greater GHG emissions than existing on-site development; or
▪ The plan or project would not be consistent with the CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Compliance Checklist.

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 55
Figure 5 Determining CEQA GHG Emissions Analysis Methodology These thresholds are set at the level of GHG emissions that new development would need to achieve to be consistent with the Pinole CAAP’s communitywide emissions reduction target of 47,389 MT of CO2e by 2030. The efficiency thresholds, listed below, are expressed in terms of MT of CO2e per service person23 and are applicable to plans or projects with pre-2030 buildout or initial operational years:
▪ 0.89 MT of CO2e per resident
▪ 1.53 MT of CO2e per employee
▪ 1.10 MT of CO2e per service person24
Efficiency thresholds for beyond 2030 would be established later in conjunction with subsequent CAAP amendments.
23 The service population is equal to the residential population plus half the number of jobs. 24 Pinole, City of. 2023. Draft CEQA GHG Thresholds.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 56 Plans or projects that do not tier from the Pinole CAAP IS-ND that would generate GHG emissions in excess of these thresholds would result in a potentially significant impact on the environment related to GHG emissions and climate change. Mitigation measures would be required to reduce potentially significant impacts resulting from such plans or projects. Plans or projects that are unable to reduce GHG emissions below these thresholds through implementation of identified mitigation measures would result in a significant and unavoidable environmental impact. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not have direct construction or operational impacts.

Cumulative Projects Scenario
For purposes of CEQA cumulative impacts analysis of the Pinole CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds, the cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and households’ forecasts identified in the supporting documentation for the City, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050. The cumulative projects scenario is shown in Table 6.

Table 5 Cumulative Projects Scenario
Demographic
s/
Sector
2017 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Population1 19,663 27,718 32,110 24,592 26,168 27,845
Employment2 7,970 8,963 9,645 10,379 11,168 12,018
Households2 6,901 7,431 7,783 8,151 8,536 8,940
Service
Population3
27,633 36,681 41,755 34,971 37,336 39,863

1. Demographic metrics were calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050. 3 Service population is calculated as the combined total number of employees and residents in the City.

Source: Rincon Consultants, Inc. City of Pinole Greenhouse Gas Emissions Forecasts and Provisional Target Memorandum. Updated January 2024.

Required Approvals
City of Pinole
Required approvals include:
▪ Adoption of the Pinole CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds IS-ND ▪ Adoption of the Pinole CAAP
▪ Adoption of the Pinole CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds
Although individual plans or projects may be implemented later under the umbrella of the CAAP, each individual plan or project would be subject to separate environmental review under CEQA.

Initial Study
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 57
Other Public Agencies
The City of Pinole has sole approval authority over the CAAP as well as the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds. There are no other public agencies whose approval is required.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 58 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected
This project25 would potentially affect the environmental factors checked below, involving at least one impact that is “Potentially Significant” or “Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
□ Aesthetics □ Agriculture and
Forestry Resources
□ Air Quality
□ Biological Resources □ Cultural Resources □ Energy
□ Geology and Soils □ Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
□ Hazards and Hazardous
Materials
□ Hydrology and Water
Quality
□ Land Use and Planning □ Mineral Resources
□ Noise □ Population/Housing □ Public Services
□ Recreation □ Transportation □ Tribal Cultural Resources □ Utilities/Service Systems □ Wildfire □ Mandatory Findings of Significance
Determination
Based on this initial evaluation:
■ I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
□ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions to the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
□ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
25 Note that the CAAP is a plan; however, this language and the significance criteria questions language throughout this IS-ND are taken directly from CEQA Guidelines Appendix G, which refers to a “project” generally but is applicable to either a project or plan.

Determination
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 59
□ I find that the proposed project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “less than significant with mitigation incorporated” impact on the environment, but at least one effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed. □ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potential significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.

Lead Agency Representative Signature Date
Lead Agency Representative Printed Name Title

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 60 Environmental Checklist
1 Aesthetics
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a
scenic vista? □ □ ■ □
b. Substantially damage scenic resources,
including but not limited to, trees, rock
outcroppings, and historic buildings within
a State scenic highway? □ □ ■ □
c. In non-urbanized areas, substantially
degrade the existing visual character or
quality of public views of the site and its
surroundings? (Public views are those that
are experienced from a publicly accessible
vantage point). If the project is in an
urbanized area, would the project conflict
with applicable zoning and other
regulations governing scenic quality? □ □ ■ □
d. Create a new source of substantial light or
glare that would adversely affect daytime
or nighttime views in the area? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? b. Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway? According to the Pinole General Plan and California Scenic Highway System,26 there are no scenic roadways or highways in the City of Pinole. However, the General Plan notes that the City has several important environmental visual resources, and the Community Character Element discusses built visual (scenic) resources in Pinole.27 As stated in the General Plan Natural Resources and Open 26 California Department of Transportation (CalTrans). https://dot.ca.gov/programs/design/lap-landscape-architecture-and-communitylivability/lap-liv-i-scenic-highways Accessed February 2024 27 Pinole, City of. 2010. General Plan, Introduction. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/City_of_Pinole_General_Pl an_12.2010-Chapter1.pdf (accessed January 2024)

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 61
Space Element, the City’s San Pablo Bay shoreline, creeks (particularly Pinole Creek), ridgelines, and other areas, as well as the historic qualities of Old Town, are focal points recognizable from many locations in the City. As stated further in the Community Character Element, Old Town Pinole, along San Pablo Avenue, contains a variety of architectural styles that mirror the community’s historical development and development pattern.

General Plan Goal OS6, which includes Policies OS.6.1, Scenic Resources, and OS.6.2, View Protection, as well as Policy OS.3.14, Open Space Preservation and Management, aim to protect scenic resources that help define and distinguish Pinole as a unique and desirable community and provide linkages between recreational areas and open space. This includes preserving significant knolls, stands of trees, rock outcroppings, and ridgelines within the City through scenic easements, where feasible, and ridgeline preservation measures. Additionally, Policy CC2.2 included in the Community Character Element, aims to preserve natural resources within the built environment, including trees, marshes, creeks, and hillsides. Policy OS.2.1 similarly aims to protect native vegetation, by protecting, preserving, and creating conditions that will promote the preservation of significant trees and other vegetation, particularly native to California and the region.

The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in impacts related to scenic vistas and scenic highways. As a policy document, the CAAP would not result in impacts related to scenic vistas and scenic highways.

However, implementation of some CAAP measures may promote infrastructure development and other physical changes through policies and programs. CAAP Measure BE-5 would promote installation of small-scale solar PV systems. CAAP Measure TR-1 would improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the City and Measures TR-4, TR-5, and CIO-2 encourage the installation of EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure. Additionally, CAAP Measure CS-1 would facilitate the expansion of the urban forest within Pinole. CAAP projects would generally be limited to the existing developed areas of the City and would be small-scale in nature. Additionally, expansion of the urban forest could have a positive effect on scenic vistas, adding new tree cover and enhancing existing natural landscapes.

The CAAP would promote infrastructure development and redevelopment that is complimentary to existing development and land uses. Though the implementation of the CAAP may result in future development, CAAP-related projects and actions, including those identified above, would be required to adhere to City development zoning and regulations, including the City’s applicable Design Guidelines, which establish criteria for the aesthetic qualities of development in Pinole in order to preserve and enhance the desired character of existing neighborhoods.28 Compliance with the City’s Design Guidelines would confirm that potential future infrastructure development and redevelopment related to the CAAP would be carefully integrated with the existing character of Pinole, minimizing potential aesthetic impacts. In addition, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with the Pinole General Plan policies related to scenic resources prior to approval. As such, the CAAP would not result in adverse impacts related to scenic vistas or State scenic highways within the City. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in less-than-significant impacts related to scenic vistas and scenic highways. c. Would the project in non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are 28 Pinole, City of. 2018. Design Review. https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/planning/design_review (accessed January 2024).

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 62 experienced from a publicly accessible vantage point). If the project is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality? Pinole is a primarily urbanized area with the following applicable visual character/quality policies in the Pinole General Plan Land Use and Community Character, Natural Resources, and Community Health and Quality of Life Elements. In 2023, Pinole updated the City's General Plan Housing Element29 pursuant to State law, which requires an update to the Housing Element of the General Plan every eight years. The City is currently drafting an Updated Health and Safety Element and creating a new Environmental Justice Element.

Community Character Element
▪ Policy CC.1.1. All new development and redevelopment shall adhere to the basic principles of high-quality urban design and architecture including, but not limited to, human-scaled design, pedestrian orientation, and interconnectivity of street layout, siting buildings to highlight important intersections, entryways, focal points and landmarks. ▪ Policy CC.1.2. Require all new development to incorporate high-quality site design, architecture and planning to enhance the overall quality of the built environment in Pinole and create a visually interesting and aesthetically pleasing town environment. ▪ Policy CC.1.3 To enhance a sense of arrival and create a strong appealing image that promotes community identity, the City shall develop community entry features at key gateways or city entries along Interstate 80. Entryways shall incorporate landscaping, trees, structural architectural elements, signage and public art.
▪ Policy CC.1.5 Encourage project compatibility, interdependence and support with neighboring uses, especially between commercial and mixed-use centers and the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Uses should relate to one another with pedestrian connections, transit options, shared parking, landscaping, public spaces, and the orientation and design of buildings ▪ Policy CC.2.1 Provide visual and physical connections between the natural environment and the built environment through careful site design, building placement, architectural features that allow views of Pinole’s unique environment such as ridgelines or the San Pablo Bay shoreline, public access to open space such as via the Bay Trail, and the use of native vegetation in the urban environment such as for landscape buffers for sidewalk areas and street trees.

Land Use and Economic Development Element
▪ Policy LU.1.3 Establish and implement a continuing program of civic beautification, gateway or entryway enhancement, tree planting, maintenance of homes and streets, and other measures which will promote an aesthetically desirable environment and attractive neighborhood areas. ▪ Policy LU.3.3 Require design review of commercial and industrial projects to ensure compatibility with adjacent or nearby land uses, including intensity, access, internal circulation, visual characteristics, noise, odors, fire hazards, vibrations, smoke, discharge of wastes and nighttime lighting.
▪ Policy LU.5.1 Designate any undeveloped ridgelines and hillsides as Low Density Residential, Rural, or Open Space.
29 Pinole, City of. General Plan Housing Element 2023-2031. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/Housing%20Element/2023 -2031%20Housing%20Element%20-%20Certified.pdf (accessed January 2024)

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 63
▪ POLICY LU.6.3 Provide waterfront parks, pedestrian pathways and recreation areas that are safe, accessible, and attractive for public use.

Natural Resources and Open Space Element
▪ Policy OS.1.3 Hillsides, Ridgelines, and View Corridors. Retain and protect sensitive hillside and ridgeline habitat, tree groves, and view corridors as shown on Figure 10.4. ▪ Policy OS.2.4 Riparian Areas and Creek Setbacks. Lands adjacent to riparian areas shall be protected as public or private permanent open space through dedication or easements. Riparian vegetation outside the setback should also be protected. Riparian areas within the City include but are not limited to: (1) Pinole Creek (2) Catty Creek (3) Duncan Canyon/Cole Creek; (4) Shady Draw; (5) Faria Creek and (6) Roble Creek and shall be protected from further degradation and enhanced during review of adjacent proposed development. ▪ Policy OS.3.3 Cluster Development. Encourage cluster development and other creative site planning techniques to preserve open space, trails and visual, habitat, recreation and archaeological resources.
▪ Policy OS.3.5 Buffers for Sensitive Resources. When activities close to open space resources within or outside the urban area could harm these resources, the City will require buffers between the activities and the resources. The City will actively encourage individuals, organizations and other agencies to follow this policy. Buffers associated with new development shall be on the site of the development, rather than on neighboring land containing the open space resource. Buffers provide distance in the form of setbacks, within which certain features or activities are not allowed or conditionally allowed. Buffers shall also use techniques such as planting and wildlife-compatible fencing. Buffers shall be adequate for the most sensitive species in the protected area, as determined by a qualified professional and shall complement the protected area’s habitat values.
▪ Policy OS.3.6 Minimize Environmental Impacts. Encourage development patterns which minimize impacts on the City’s biological, visual, and cultural resources, and integrate development with open space areas.
▪ Policy OS.3.7 Preserve Natural Features. Retain sensitive habitat areas in their natural state, where possible, and protect from inappropriate development and landscaping. New development shall incorporate natural features present on the site such as a creek, steep topography or natural vegetation, where feasible, unless appropriate mitigation measures can be incorporated.

The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in impacts related to aesthetics. The CAAP would promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment through policies and programs. Implementation of some CAAP measures related to renewable energy, transportation, GHG sequestration, and extreme heat may result in physical changes that could impact scenic resources. Specifically, CAAP Measure BE-5 would promote installation of local community-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at existing municipal facilities and in new or majorly renovated multi-family and commercial developments.

Likewise, implementation of Measure BE-5 would also include installation of a co-located community solar and storage facility to benefit affordable housing sites. Measure TR-1 would improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the City by creating a safe and connected active transportation network linked to Pinole Creek, and Measures TR-4, TR-5, and CIO-2 support the

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 64 installation of EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure. CAAP Measure CS-1 would facilitate the expansion of the urban forest within Pinole. Additionally, Measure EH-1 aims to reduce the impacts of extreme heat in Pinole by installing green/cool roofs and cool pavement, as well as planting vegetation and trees to reduce urban temperatures and the urban heat island effect.

Implementation of small-scale solar panels, introduction of EV charging infrastructure, expanding Pinole’s urban forest, and installing green/cool roofs and cool pavement may slightly change the scenic character. However, future CAAP-related projects would be located and designed to be complimentary to existing land uses and would be required to adhere to the City development zoning and regulations that seek to preserve the character of Pinole and minimize environmental impacts. In addition, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with the Pinole General Plan policies highlighted above and other applicable regulatory policies, such as the Zoning Ordinance and applicable Specific Plans and design guidelines, prior to approval. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality and would result in a less-than-significant impact. d. Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect daytime or nighttime views in the area?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in impacts related to light and glare. The CAAP would promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment that is complimentary to existing land uses in the City. As a policy document, the CAAP would not directly result in impacts related to light and glare. However, implementation of CAAP Measure BE-5 encourages the installation of solar panels and battery storage systems at new or majorly renovated multi-family and commercial buildings. Solar panels have the potential to result in new sources of glare within Pinole if not thoughtfully designed and located. The design and location of proposed solar infrastructure would be complimentary to existing development in Pinole, such as the addition of small-scale rooftop solar panels, to reduce potential glare impacts within the City. Furthermore, CAAP projects would be reviewed for consistency with the CCR Title 24 lighting standards (CCR Title 24 Part 6), the City’s Municipal Code (Chapter 17, Article 46 Lighting), applicable Specific Plans (e.g., the Three Corridors Specific Plan), and design guidelines, which includes a review of exterior lighting.30,31 In addition, CAAP projects or actions would be reviewed for consistency with the Pinole General Plan and other applicable regulatory land use actions prior to approval. Compliance with these regulations would minimize environmental impacts related to light and glare by complying with standard conditions of approval requiring the shielding of exterior lighting and limiting spillover lighting. Thus, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to light and glare.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

Cumulative impacts related to scenic resources, visual character, and increased light and glare 30 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2022. 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings. https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/CEC-400-2022-010_CMF.pdf (accessed January 2024). 31 Pinole, City of. Municipal Code. https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/pinole/latest/pinole_ca/0-0-0-10163 (accessed January 2024).

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 65
would generally be site-specific, and cumulative projects are not anticipated to contribute to cumulative aesthetic impacts with adherence to Pinole General Plan policies, the municipal code, and applicable Specific Plans and design guidelines. As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Because of the developed nature of Pinole, future infrastructure projects under the CAAP, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, would not adversely impact the visual character of the community. In addition, future development in the City would be required to comply with the City’s Design Review process and be reviewed against applicable Pinole General Plan policies and City’s design standards for design quality and compatibility with adjacent land uses. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to aesthetics.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 66 2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland,
or Farmland of Statewide Importance
(Farmland), as shown on maps prepared
pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and
Monitoring Program of the California
Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? □ □ □ ■
b. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural
use or a Williamson Act contract? □ □ □ ■
c. Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause
rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public
Resources Code Section 12220(g));
timberland (as defined by Public Resources
Code Section 4526); or timberland zoned
Timberland Production (as defined by
Government Code Section 51104(g))? □ □ □ ■
d. Result in the loss of forest land or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use? □ □ □ ■
e. Involve other changes in the existing
environment which, due to their location or
nature, could result in conversion of
Farmland to non-agricultural use or
conversion of forest land to non-forest use? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? b. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract? e.1. Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use? Pinole is characterized primarily by suburban development. The California Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program classifies Pinole as Urban and Built-Up Land, Grazing Land, and Other Land.

There is no Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance in Pinole. 32 32
California Department of Conservation. 2022. California Important Farmland Finder. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/CIFF/ (accessed January 2024).

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 67
Likewise, there are no parcels of non-Prime Farmland in Pinole that are enrolled in Williamson Act contracts.33
The CAAP measures focus on building electrification, active transportation, zero emission vehicles, public transit, water conservation, solid waste diversion, urban greenspace and trees, as well as community adaptation and resilience, flood control, sea level rise, extreme heat, and wildfire. CAAP measures would not involve projects or policies that would result in impacts related to conversion or loss of Farmland. Additionally, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning that could result in the loss of farmland or conflict with existing agricultural zoning. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to degradation of agricultural resources or conversion of agricultural land to nonagriculture uses, nor would there be a conflict with existing zoning or Pinole General Plan land use designations.
c. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code Section 12220(g)); timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code Section 4526); or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code Section 51104(g))?
d. Would the project result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? e.2. Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of forest land to non-forest use? Pinole contains several open space and preserved areas that include the Pinole Creek and Watershed, the shoreline along San Pablo Bay, ridgelines around Pinole, and the addition of a portion of the Bay Trail in Pinole.
34 Additionally, while Pinole contains riparian forests, it does not contain areas designated for forest land or Timberland Production. The Pinole Municipal Code Chapter includes a variety of sections that establish policies, regulations, and standards to protect trees within the City, including the Chapter 17, Article 96, Tree Removal and Chapter 12, Article 16, Street Trees, Shrubs, and Plants. In addition, the Pinole General Plan contains several goals, policies, and actions such as those mentioned above under response to criteria a, b, and e1, as well as Policy SE.7.2, which aims to support the expansion of tree planting and landscape practices that encourage the use of trees, plants, and vegetation. The CAAP aligns with the Pinole General Plan by including measures and actions such as CAAP Measure CS-1, which establishes a goal to increase carbon sequestration and prepare the urban forest for climate change, extreme heat, drought, and wildfire by adopting policies developed through the Tree Master Plan. As such, the CAAP would increase the planting of trees within the City and be consistent with the City’s regulations. The CAAP does not include actions that would result in the loss of forest land or the conversion of forest land to nonforest use, nor would it conflict with or cause the rezoning of forest, timber land, or Timberland Production areas. Likewise, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning that could result in the loss of forestland or conflict with existing zoning for forest uses. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to degradation of forestry 33 California Department of Conservation. 2022. California Williamson Act Enrollment Finder. https://gis.conservation.ca.gov/portal/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=18f7488c0a9d4d299f5e9c33b312f312 (accessed December 2023).
34 Pinole, City of. 2010. General Plan Update. October 20, 2010. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/2010%20General%20Plan %20with%202023-2031%20Housing%20Element%20Update.pdf (accessed January 2024).

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 68 resources or conversion of forest land to non-forest uses, nor would there be a conflict with existing zoning or General Plan land use designations.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. As the City’s population, employment, and housing grows and development intensifies in the future, CAAP Measure CS-1 would increase carbon sequestration and prepare the urban forest for climate change, extreme heat, drought, and wildfire by adopting policies developed through the Tree Master Plan. Additionally, Measure EH-1 aims to reduce the impacts of extreme heat in Pinole by installing green/cool roofs and cool pavement, as well as planting vegetation and trees to reduce urban temperatures and the urban heat island effect. As discussed above, the CAAP would not include any measures or actions that would significantly impact agricultural or forest resources. In addition, the CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes that could result in cumulative impacts related to conversion or loss of farmland or forest land. Therefore, implementation of CAAP would result in no cumulative impact related to agricultural and forestry resources.

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 69
3 Air Quality
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of
the applicable air quality plan? □ □ □ ■
b. Result in a cumulatively considerable net
increase of any criteria pollutant for which
the project region is non-attainment under
an applicable federal or state ambient air
quality standard? □ □ ■ □
c. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial
pollutant concentrations? □ □ ■ □
d. Result in other emissions (such as those
leading to odors) adversely affecting a
substantial number of people? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) governs air quality in the United States and is administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) at the federal level. Air quality in California is also governed by regulations under the California CAA, which is administered by CARB at the State level. At the regional and local levels, local air districts typically administer the federal and California CAA. As part of implementing the federal and California CAA, the U.S. EPA and CARB have established ambient air quality standards for major pollutants at thresholds intended to protect public health. Pinole is located within the San Francisco Bay Area Air Basin (the Air Basin), which includes the nine Bay Area counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southwestern Solano, and southern Sonoma. The Air Basin is under the jurisdiction of BAAQMD. As the local air quality management agency, BAAQMD is required to monitor air pollutant levels to ensure that State and federal air quality standards are met and, if they are not met, to develop strategies to meet the standards. Depending on whether or not the standards are met or exceeded, the Air Basin is classified as being in “attainment” or “nonattainment.” Under State law, air districts are required to prepare a plan for air quality improvement for pollutants for which the district is in non-attainment. BAAQMD is in nonattainment for the State and federal ozone standards, the State and federal PM2.5 (particulate matter up to 2.5 microns in size) standards, and the State PM10 (particulate matter up to 10 microns in size) standards and is required to prepare a plan for improvement.35 The sources, health effects, and typical controls associated with criteria pollutants are described in Appendix A. 35 Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). 2017. Air Quality Standards and Attainment Status. http://www.baaqmd.gov/research-and-data/air-quality-standards-and-attainment-status (accessed December 2023).

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 70 The Bay Area 2017 Clean Air Plan provides a plan to improve Bay Area air quality and protect public health as well as the climate. The legal impetus for the Clean Air Plan is to update the most recent ozone plan, the 2010 Clean Air Plan, to comply with State air quality planning requirements as codified in the California Health and Safety Code. Although steady progress has been made toward reducing ozone levels in the Bay Area, the region continues to be designated as non‐attainment for both the one‐hour and eight‐hour State ozone standards as noted previously. In addition, emissions of ozone precursors in the Bay Area contribute to air quality problems in neighboring air basins.

Under these circumstances, State law requires the Clean Air Plan to include all feasible measures to reduce emissions of ozone precursors and reduce transport of ozone precursors to neighboring air basins.36
The Federal Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) mandate that states submit and implement a State Implementation Plan (SIP) for areas not meeting air quality standards. The SIP includes pollution control measures to demonstrate how the standards will be met through those measures. The SIP is established by incorporating measures established during the preparation of Air Quality Management Plans (AQMP) and adopted rules and regulations by each local Air Pollution Control District (APCD) and AQMD, which are submitted for approval to CARB and the U.S. EPA.37 The goal of an AQMP is to reduce pollutant concentrations below the NAAQS through the implementation of air pollutant emissions controls.

The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would rather promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment. Likewise, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. CAAP measures and actions focus on electrification of buildings and sustainable development, increasing local renewable energy infrastructure, improving active transportation, zero emission vehicle and public transit infrastructure, and increasing urban trees. Implementation of CAAP measures, such as those aimed at reducing VMT, electrifying vehicles, and reducing natural gas use through building electrification, would have co-benefits to air quality within the Air Basin.

These measures would help BAAQMD meet applicable air quality plan goals and would generally reduce air pollutant concentrations. Although the purpose and intended effect of the CAAP is to reduce GHG emissions generated in Pinole to help reduce the effects of climate change, many of its measures would also reduce criteria pollutant emissions. CAAP Measures BE-1, BE-2, and BE-3 involve increased energy efficiency and building electrification as part of residential, non-residential, and municipal land uses. In addition, CAAP Measures TR-1, TR-2, and TR-3 seek to reduce VMT in the City by improving active transportation and public transit facilities, while Measures TR-4, TR-5, and T-6 would encourage the adoption of zero emission vehicles (ZEV) and low-emissions off-road vehicles and equipment by enhancing EV infrastructure. These energy- and transportation-related measures would reduce air pollutant emissions as well as GHG emissions. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would be consistent with the 2017 Clean Air Plan and would have no impact related to a conflict with or obstruction of the applicable air quality plan. 36 BAAQMD. 2017. Final Clean Air Plan: Spare the Air Cool the Climate: A Blueprint for Clean Air and Climate Protection in the Bay Area.

Final 2017 Clean Air Plan. https://www.baaqmd.gov/plans-and-climate/air-quality-plans/current-plans (accessed December 2023). 37 California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2022. 2022 State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-08/2022_State_SIP_Strategy.pdf (accessed December 2023).

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 71
b. Would the project result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or State ambient air quality standard (including releasing emissions that exceed quantitative thresholds for ozone precursors)?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to an increase of criteria pollutants. Likewise, the CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would instead promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment. As a policy document, the CAAP would not result in impacts related to criteria pollutants. However, implementation of the following CAAP measures may promote construction activities that would temporarily generate criteria pollutants during the construction phase.

CAAP Measures BE-2 and BE-2 promote electrification of existing buildings, Measure TR-1 would improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the City, and Measures TR-4, TR-5, and CIO-2 would expand EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure. CAAP Measure W-1 would incentivize water efficiency retrofits for existing buildings and landscaped areas. Additionally, CAAP Measure CS-1 would facilitate the expansion of the urban forest within Pinole. Construction-related air quality impacts are generally associated with fugitive dust (PM10 and PM2.5) and exhaust emissions from heavy construction vehicles and soil hauling trucks, in addition to reactive organic gases that would be released during the drying phase upon application of architectural coatings.

However, implementation of CAAP actions would not include large-scale construction within Pinole and would involve temporary and short-term criteria pollutant emissions. As such, the CAAP would result in low-level criteria pollutant emissions and negligible impacts to air quality. Through the standard review process for new development or Capital Improvement projects, CAAP projects or actions would also be reviewed for consistency with BAAQMD air quality regulations and other applicable local, State, and federal regulations. Thus, the construction associated with implementation of the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to net increase of criteria pollutants.

With respect to operational emissions, many of the CAAP actions would have the secondary benefit of reducing criteria pollutant emissions, such as measures that would increase building energy efficiency, promote EVs, reduce on-road and off-road fuel use, and reduce VMT. Implementation of the CAAP would be beneficial by helping Pinole meet applicable air quality plan goals. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to criteria pollutant emissions.
c. Would the project expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations. Implementation of the CAAP measures, as described under Response 3b, promote infrastructure development and redevelopment that may result in temporary construction activities. Construction-related air quality impacts are generally associated with fugitive dust (PM10 and PM2.5) and exhaust emissions from heavy construction vehicles and soil hauling trucks, in addition to reactive organic gases that would be released during the drying phase upon application of architectural coatings. However, implementation of CAAP measures and actions would not include large-scale construction, and construction-related

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 72 emissions would be temporary. As such, implementation of the CAAP could result in low-level toxic air contaminant emissions associated with construction.

While the CAAP could result in construction-related impacts related to toxic air contaminants and exposure to sensitive receptors, CAAP projects or actions would be reviewed for consistency with BAAQMD air quality regulations and other applicable local, State, and federal regulations through the standard development review process once project details and locations are known to confirm compliance. Thus, construction associated with implementation of the CAAP are not expected to result in substantial emissions of toxic air contaminants and exposure to sensitive receptors. No operational toxic air contaminant emissions are anticipated with implementation of the CAAP measures and actions. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would have a lessthan-significant impact related to exposure of sensitive receptors to toxic air contaminants. d. Would the project result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people?
The CARB 2005 Air Quality Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective identifies land uses associated with odor complaints which include: sewage treatment plants, landfills, recycling facilities, waste transfer stations, petroleum refineries, biomass operations, auto body shops, coating operations, fiberglass manufacturing, foundries, rendering plants, and livestock operations.38 The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would provide guidance during CEQA review and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not have construction or operational impacts related to odors. The CAAP includes Measure SW-5 that seeks to establish new programs to meet the City’s SB 1383 annual procurement target by increasing the application of compost on appropriate lands, such as natural areas and parks. As such, the CAAP could result in minor odors related to compost application. However, the location of future compost application would be selected to be complimentary to existing development in the City and would be reviewed for site specific potential odor impacts to ensure that projects implemented in accordance with the CAAP would not adversely affect a substantial number of people. Therefore, the CAAP would not facilitate development that could create adverse odors, and there would be less-than-significant impacts related to odors exposure.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Future CAAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, could result in air pollutant emissions that exceed applicable BAAQMD thresholds or be inconsistent with the 2017 Clean Air Plan. However, implementation of the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would have a less-than-significant contribution related to potential cumulative air quality impacts within the Air Basin and on sensitive receptors within Pinole, given that the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in community-wide reduction of GHG emissions, energy use, single38 California Air Resources Control Board (CARB). 2005. Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective. Available:
https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/ceqa/handbook/california-air-resources-board-air-quality-and-land-use-handbook-acommunity-health-perspective.pdf (accessed December 2023).

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 73
occupancy vehicle travel, and associated air pollutant emissions. As such, implementation of the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in adverse impacts related to contribution of criteria pollutants to the Air Basin and exposure of sensitive receptors to toxic air contaminants and could result in co-benefits to air quality within the Air Basin for the reasons outlined in Response 3a, above. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to air quality.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 74 4 Biological Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either
directly or through habitat modifications,
on any species identified as a candidate,
sensitive, or special status species in local
or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or
by the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? □ □ ■ □
b. Have a substantial adverse effect on any
riparian habitat or other sensitive natural
community identified in local or regional
plans, policies, or regulations, or by the
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? □ □ ■ □
c. Have a substantial adverse effect on state or
federally protected wetlands (including, but
not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal,
etc.) through direct removal, filling,
hydrological interruption, or other means? □ □ ■ □
d. Interfere substantially with the movement
of any native resident or migratory fish or
wildlife species or with established native
resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or
impede the use of native wildlife nursery
sites? □ □ ■ □
e. Conflict with any local policies or
ordinances protecting biological resources,
such as a tree preservation policy or
ordinance? □ □ □ ■
f. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted
Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural
Community Conservation Plan, or other
approved local, regional, or State habitat
conservation plan? □ □ □ ■

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 75
a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as candidate, sensitive, or special status in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
Pinole is a primarily urbanized community with parks, recreational, and open spaces incorporated throughout the City. However, the ridgelines in Pinole and the San Pablo Bay area adjacent to the Pinole shoreline contain grasslands, saline emergent wetlands, coastal oak woodlands, coastal scrub, estuarine (tidal flats), open water, perennial creeks, and riparian forests which could provide habitat for special-status species.39 In addition, migratory and nesting birds protected by Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3513 of the California Fish and Game Code (CFGC) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) may utilize trees, landscaping, and structures throughout Pinole for nesting habitat. The General Plan Natural Resources and Open Space Element incorporates policies to protect biological resources, such as plants, trees, wildlife habitats, shoreline, and the species that utilize these habitats.

The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not have construction or operational impacts related to special status species and their habitats. The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes and would instead promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment. The CAAP measures would not conflict with the policies of the Pinole General Plan related to wildlife but would rather be consistent with and promote those policies. CAAP measures and actions would generally apply to the urbanized areas of the City, with little application to parks, open space areas, or the undeveloped portions of the City where sensitive habitat and related species may be present. In addition, CAAP Measure CS1 facilitates the increase of carbon sequestration and preparation of the urban forest for climate change, extreme heat, drought, and wildfire by adopting policies developed through the Tree Master Plan. Likewise, Measure EH-1 aims to reduce the impacts of extreme heat in Pinole by installing green/cool roofs and cool pavement, as well as planting vegetation and trees to reduce urban temperatures and the urban heat island effect. Development of new or enhanced existing natural areas throughout Pinole could serve as additional habitat for special status species and migratory and nesting birds. As such, the CAAP would not have a substantial adverse effect on candidate, threatened, or endangered wildlife species either directly through individual take or indirectly through species habitat modification.

As a policy document, the CAAP would not directly result in impacts related to wildlife species of special status. However, implementation of some CAAP actions may promote infrastructure development within the urbanized portions of the City and could result in impacts to species through construction activities. CAAP Measures BE-2 and BE-3 would promote electrification of existing buildings; Measure TR-1 would improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the City; and Measures T-4, T-5, and CIO-2 would expand EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure. CAAP Measure W-1 would incentivize water efficiency retrofits to existing buildings and landscaped areas. These actions have the potential to disturb nesting habitat for birds and raptors protected under Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3513 of the CFGC and under the MBTA.

However, construction activities for future CAAP projects would be required to comply with the provisions of the MBTA and CFGC Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3513 to avoid impacts to protected 39 Pinole, City of. 2010. General Plan Update. October 20, 2010. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/2010%20General%20Plan %20with%202023-2031%20Housing%20Element%20Update.pdf (accessed January 2024).

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 76 birds and would be reviewed for consistency with City, State, and federal policies related to protected species. As such, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not have a substantial adverse effect on special-status wildlife species. Therefore, the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to special-status wildlife species. b. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? c. Have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means?
As stated in Response 4a, Pinole contains wetlands and riparian habitat. Figure 1.1 in the City’s General Plan details the habitat throughout Pinole, which includes the following breakdown of land types:40
□ Annual Grassland – 719 acres
□ Saline Emergent Wetlands (e.g., Salt Marsh) 10 acres
□ Coastal Oak Woodland – 499 acres
□ Coastal Scrub – 10 acres
□ Estuarine (e.g., Tidal Flats) – 58 acres
□ Open Water – 4,097 acres
□ Perennial Creek – 32 acres
□ Riparian Forest – 41 acres
□ Urban – 1,965 acres
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not have construction or operational impacts related to riparian, wetland, or other sensitive habitats. The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would instead promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment within urbanized areas of the City. The CAAP measures would generally apply to the urbanized areas of the City, with little application to parks, open space areas, or other locations where riparian and wetland habitat is located. Additionally, CAAP Measure CS-1 would facilitate the expansion of the urban forest within Pinole, while Measure EH-1 aims to reduce the impacts of extreme heat in Pinole by installing green/cool roofs and cool pavement, as well as planting vegetation and trees to reduce urban temperatures and the urban heat island effect. The Pinole Municipal Code Chapter includes a variety of sections that establish policies, regulations, and standards to protect trees within the City, including the Chapter 17, Article 96, Tree Removal and Chapter 12, Article 16, Street Trees, Shrubs, and Plants. In addition, the Pinole General Plan contains several goals, policies, and actions such as those mentioned above under response to criteria a, as well as Policy SE.7.2, which aims to support the expansion of tree planting and landscape practices that encourage the use of trees, plants, and vegetation. Future CAAP-related projects would be required to adhere to City development regulations, Pinole General Plan policies, and the PMC. In addition, the location, and details of 40 Pinole, City of. 2010. General Plan Update. October 20, 2010. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/2010%20General%20Plan %20with%202023-2031%20Housing%20Element%20Update.pdf (accessed January 2024).

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 77
future CAAP projects would be reviewed for consistency with applicable local, regional, and State regulations related to sensitive habitat prior to approval. As such, the CAAP would not have a substantial adverse effect on riparian habitat or a sensitive natural community, such as wetlands.

Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would have a less-than-significant impact related to sensitive natural plant communities.
d. Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not have construction or operational impacts related to interference with species movement or wildlife nurseries. The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would instead promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment within urbanized portions of the City. As a policy document, the CAAP would not result in direct impacts related to interference with species movement or use of wildlife nursery sites. Future CAAP projects would be required to adhere to City development regulations, the Pinole General Plan, and the PMC, including Chapter 17, Article 96, Tree Removal and Chapter 12, Article 16, Street Trees, Shrubs, and Plants. In addition, the Pinole General Plan contains several goals, policies, and actions such as those mentioned above under response to criteria a, b, and c. In addition, Measure CS-1 would facilitate the expansion of the urban forest within Pinole. Additionally, Measure EH-1 aims to reduce the impacts of extreme heat in Pinole by installing green/cool roofs and cool pavement, as well as planting vegetation and trees to reduce urban temperatures and the urban heat island effect.

Furthermore, the CAAP actions would generally apply to the urbanized areas of Pinole with little application to parks, open spaces, or other locations where wildlife corridors or native wildlife nursery sites may be present. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to interference with species movement or wildlife nursery use.
e. Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
As mentioned above, Pinole is a primarily urbanized community with parks, recreational, and open spaces incorporated throughout the City. The General Plan Natural Resources and Open Space Element incorporates policies to protect biological resources, such as plants, trees, wildlife habitats, shoreline, and the species that utilize these habitats. In addition, the PMC includes local policies and ordinances to protect trees. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance. The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment within the urbanized portion of the City. The purpose and intended effect of the CAAP is to reduce GHG emissions generated in the City to help reduce the effects of climate change and increase the City’s ability to adapt to the changing climate. Implementation of proposed CAAP actions would be beneficial by helping Pinole meet applicable local policies and ordinances for protecting biological resources, including the PMC Chapter 17, Article 96, Tree Removal and Chapter 12, Article 16, Street Trees, Shrubs, and Plants. Specifically, CAAP Measure CS-1 provides for the planting of new and maintenance of existing trees. As such, the CAAP would not conflict with or

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 78 obstruct implementation of the applicable policies for preserving biological resources and would not affect the City’s ability to attain goals and policies that protect biological resources. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to consistency with local biological resources protection policies.
f. Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or State habitat conservation plan?
No portion of Pinole is currently subject to a Habitat Conservation Plan or Natural Community Conservation Plan.41 Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would have no impact related to consistency with an adopted habitat or natural community conservation plan.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Implementation of future CAAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, could result in impacts to biological resources during infrastructure and building construction. However, as described in Responses 4a through 4f, above, infrastructure development or redevelopment resulting from implementation of the CAAP would be required to comply with applicable Pinole General Plan policies and State and federal regulatory requirements regarding avoidance of special wildlife species and habitat. In addition, the CAAP would not result in new building construction and contains actions that prioritize the preservation of trees and improvements to existing habitat. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in a lessthan-significant cumulative impact related to biological resources. 41 California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). 2019. Natural Community Conservation Plans. https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=68626&inline (accessed January 2024).

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 79
5 Cultural Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource
pursuant to §15064.5? □ □ ■ □
b. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to §15064.5? □ □ ■ □
c. Disturb any human remains, including
those interred outside of formal
cemeteries? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to §15064.5?
The Pinole General Plan Community Character Element notes that Pinole has a variety of cultural and historic resources, including Native American sites, historic period sites and buildings, artifacts, and memorabilia, associated with locally historic events. While only a few sites and buildings in the City meet the criteria for designation as a State Historic Resource or a State Historic Landmark, many others have historic value to the community. These structures include the Bank of Pinole, Bernardo Fernandez House, the Downer Home, and Pinole Waterfront at the base of Tennent Avenue. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to historical resources. The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would promote infrastructure development and redevelopment that would be complimentary to existing development. CAAP projects would be required to comply with Pinole General Plan Community Character and Land Use and Economic Development Element goals and policies related to the preservation of historic resources, including Goal CC.1 which aims to maintain Pinole’s unique qualities and sense of place to preserve the established historic and small-town character of the City as well as Goal LU.3, which aims to preserve historic resources and ensure high-quality site planning and design. CAAP projects would be reviewed for compliance with applicable local, regional, and State regulations regarding cultural resources and the Pinole General Plan Community Character and Land Use and Economic Development Elements to avoid adverse impacts related to historic resources. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-thansignificant impact related to historical resources. b. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to §15064.5?

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 80 The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in impacts related to archaeological resources. There is a possibility for archaeological sites not previously recorded to be present in areas where CAAP projects could occur. CAAP Measures BE-5, TR-1, TR-4, TR-5, EH-1, and CIO-2 would result in small-scale construction that may expose previously undiscovered archaeological resources during ground disturbing activities. The CAAP projects would be located and designed strategically to reduce ground disturbance to the maximum extent possible. In addition, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with applicable local, regional, and State archeological regulations prior to final siting and construction. As such, archeological resources would be protected prior to and/or upon discovery and, thus, impacts would be reduced to a minimal level. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to archaeological resources.
c. Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not have impacts related to human remains. There is a possibility of encountering unknown buried human remains throughout the City where future CAAP projects could occur. CAAP Measures BE-5, TR-1, TR-4, TR-5, EH-1, and CIO-2 would result in small-scale construction that may expose unknown human burial sites during ground disturbing activities. CAAP projects and actions would be required to comply with California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 and California Public Resources Code Section 5097.98 regulations related to burial findings, including notification, assessment, and treatment of burial sites. Therefore, the CAAP would result in a less-thansignificant impact related to human remains.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5). As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts.

Implementation of future CAAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, would include infrastructure that could have an impact on cultural resources during construction.

Additionally, there is a possibility of encountering buried archaeological deposits and human remains throughout the City. Impacts to historic and archaeological resources and human remains are generally site-specific. Accordingly, potential impacts associated with cumulative developments would be addressed on a case-by-case basis. In addition, future projects in the City, including those associated with implementation of the CAAP, would be required to comply with the City’s policies and programs that require the identification and protection of sites and structures of architectural, historical, archaeological, and cultural significance in order to avoid impacts related to cultural resources. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to cultural resources.

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 81
6 Energy
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Result in a potentially significant
environmental impact due to wasteful,
inefficient, or unnecessary consumption
of energy resources, during project
construction or operation? □ □ □ ■
b. Conflict with or obstruct a state or local
plan for renewable energy or energy
efficiency? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project result in a potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation?
California is one of the lowest per-capita energy users in the United States, ranked 48th in the nation, due to its energy efficiency programs and mild climate.42 California consumed 287,826 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in 2022 and 11,710 million therms of natural gas in 2022.43,44 The single largest end-use sector for energy consumption in California is transportation (41.2 percent), followed by industrial (23.6 percent), residential (18.2 percent) and commercial (17.1 percent).45 The City of Pinole has demonstrated its commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy through many efforts, as described in the Error! Reference source not found. section above. T he City completed a communitywide GHG emissions inventory for 2017, which is summarized in Error! Reference source not found.. Transportation (specifically passenger on-road and commercial o n-road) and building energy use (specifically residential and commercial/industrial natural gas use) were responsible for the most GHG emissions within Pinole in 2017. Residential, non-residential, and other electricity use in Pinole totaled 83,718,338 kWh in 2017. Residential and non-residential natural gas use in Pinole totaled 3,670,203 therms in 2017.46 Passenger and commercial vehicles in Pinole accounted for 59,505,776 VMT in 2017. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning.

Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to wasteful consumption of energy resources. The CAAP is a policy 42 United States Energy Information Administration (USEIA). 2023. California - Profile Overview. April 20, 2023. https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=CA (accessed December 2023). 43 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2023. Electricity Consumption by County. http://www.ecdms.energy.ca.gov/elecbycounty.aspx (accessed December 2023).
44 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2023. Gas Consumption by County. http://www.ecdms.energy.ca.gov/gasbycounty.aspx (accessed December 2023).
45 United States Energy Information Administration (USEIA). 2023. California - Profile Overview. April 20, 2023. https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=CA (accessed December 2023). 46 Pinole, City of. 2024. Draft Climate Action Plan Appendix C.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 82 document containing climate action measures to reduce communitywide GHG emissions. The CAAP would encourage energy efficiency in the City’s existing building stock through new policies and educational campaigns as well as new requirements for proposed new and existing buildings through CAAP Measures BE-1, BE-2, and BE-3. The CAAP would also promote increased renewable energy production within the City through Measure BE-5. Additionally, the CAAP attempts to reduce transportation-related energy consumption by increasing active transportation and public transit use and reducing VMT through Measures TR-1, TR-2, and TR-3.

Implementation of some CAAP measures would require small-scale construction. However, energy use for the construction of such projects would be temporary in nature, and construction equipment used would be typical of similar-sized construction projects in the region. In addition, construction contractors would be required to comply with the provisions of CCR Title 13 Sections 2449 and 2485, which would minimize unnecessary fuel consumption. Construction equipment would be subject to the U.S. EPA Construction Equipment Fuel Efficiency Standard, which would also minimize inefficient, wasteful, or unnecessary fuel consumption. Furthermore, per applicable regulatory requirements such as the 2022 CALGreen, future infrastructure projects would comply with construction waste management practices to divert a minimum of 65 percent of construction and demolition debris. These practices would result in efficient use of energy necessary to construct CAAP-related projects. Upon completion of construction for any CAAP-related infrastructure development and redevelopment, non-renewable energy use would be reduced by increasing renewable energy production and storage and reducing VMT and energy use within the City.

The purpose and intended effect of the CAAP is to reduce GHG emissions generated within Pinole to minimize the effects of climate change, including those emissions generated by energy demand and supply. The CAAP would not result in the use of non-renewable resources in a wasteful or inefficient manner; rather, it would assist in reducing use of non-renewable energy resources and increasing the production of local renewable energy. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy.
b. Would the project conflict with or obstruct a State or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency?
Relevant plans and policies that aim to increase energy efficiency and the production of renewable energy include SB 1020, the 2022 CALGreen (Title 24 Part 11), and the 2022 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24 Part 6). SB 1020 supports the reduction of GHG emissions from the electricity sector by accelerating the State’s RPS Program and requires electricity providers to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources to 90 percent of total retail sales by 2035, 95 percent by 2040, and 100 percent by 2045. CALGreen (Title 24 Part 11) institutes mandatory minimum environmental performance standards for all ground-up new construction of non-residential and residential structures. In addition, the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24 Part 6) establishes energy-efficiency standards for residential and non-residential buildings in order to reduce California’s energy demand. CCR Title 24 (Parts 6 and 11) is updated periodically to incorporate and consider new energy-efficiency technologies and methodologies as they become available. New construction and major renovations must demonstrate their compliance with the current Building Energy Efficiency Standards through submission and approval of a Title 24 Compliance Report to the local building permit review authority and the CEC.

Pinole is part of the Marin Clean Energy (MCE) community choice aggregate, which provides electricity primarily from clean, renewable sources. Pinole would continue to reduce its use of

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 83
nonrenewable energy resources as the electricity generated by renewable resources provided by MCE continues to increase to comply with State requirements through SB 1020. The CAAP includes measures and actions to reduce electricity use and increase production of renewable energy, as discussed further below, and would, therefore, align with the overall intent of SB 1020.

In addition, construction and operation associated with infrastructure projects stemming from the CAAP would be designed to comply with the energy source standards of the CALGreen and the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards. Future CAAP projects would be required to demonstrate compliance with the CALGreen and the California Building Energy Efficiency by implementing sustainability and energy efficiency measures such as high-efficiency lighting and HVAC systems, low-flow water fixtures, dual-paned windows, and water efficient landscaping and irrigation systems. Compliance with these regulations would minimize potential conflicts with adopted energy conservation plans.

The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds provide guidance during CEQA review and do not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in conflicts with renewable energy plans. As discussed under Response 6a, above, Measures BE-1, BE-2, and BE-3 seek to decrease natural gas and energy consumption in new and existing buildings by requiring electrification, while Measure BE-5 encourages the production and use of local renewable energy. These actions are consistent with the goals and policies established by SB 1020, CALGreen, and the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

Thus, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not conflict with adopted renewable energy or energy conservation plans and there would be no impact.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Implementation of the CAAP would result in reduced use of non-renewable energy resources across the community, in particular, with requirements for retrofitted and new buildings and new infrastructure. Implementation of the CAAP would also increase the production of renewable energy within the City by incentivizing the inclusion of small-scale solar projects in new or majorly renovated multi-family and commercial developments and on existing municipal facilities. Additionally, the CAAP includes measures to increase the use of active transportation (TR1) and public transit (TR-2) and reduce VMT within the City, which would reduce transportation fuel use. As the City’s population grows and development intensifies in the future, actions contained within the CAAP would ensure that planned new development is constructed to strict energy efficiency standards and that VMT is reduced. As the CAAP would result in decreased nonrenewable energy use within the City and would align with existing plans and policies related to renewable energy and energy efficiency, implementation of the CAAP would result in no cumulative impact related to energy.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 84 7 Geology and Soils
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Expose people or structures to potentially
substantial adverse effects, including the
risk of loss, injury, or death involving:

Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent AlquistPriolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the
area or based on other substantial
evidence of a known fault? □ □ □ ■
Strong seismic ground shaking? □ □ □ ■
Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction? □ □ □ ■
Landslides? □ □ □ ■
b. Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss
of topsoil? □ □ ■ □
c. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as
a result of the project, and potentially
result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral
spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or
collapse? □ □ ■ □
d. Be located on expansive soil, as defined in
Table 1-B of the Uniform Building Code
(1994), creating substantial direct or
indirect risks to life or property? □ □ ■ □
e. Have soils incapable of adequately
supporting the use of septic tanks or
alternative wastewater disposal systems
where sewers are not available for the
disposal of wastewater? □ □ □ ■
f. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature? □ □ ■ □

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 85
a. Expose people or structures to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:
i. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault?
ii. Strong seismic ground shaking?
iii. Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? iv. Landslides?
As outlined in the General Plan, Pinole is located approximately 1.5–3.9 miles northeast of the Hayward fault and the Rodgers Creek/Healdsburg fault zone underneath San Pablo Bay and is also located about 18 to 20 miles northeast of the San Andreas fault zone. The Green Valley-Concord fault trend is located approximately 12 miles east of Pinole. Given its proximity to Pinole, the Hayward fault poses the greatest seismic threat to the City. Ground movement, soil liquefaction, and landslides in susceptible areas can be expected to result in damage during a seismic event. The City’s 1995 General Plan identifies the primary geologic and geotechnical concerns in Pinole as slope stability, earthquake ground shaking, and fault ground rupture. Although Pinole is at risk of earthquake-induced ground shaking and associated hazards, the CAAP is a policy document containing measures and supporting actions to reduce GHG emissions. The CAAP does not propose habitable development or policies that could result in exposure of people to potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, strong seismic ground shaking, seismic-related ground failure including liquefaction, or landslides. Likewise, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to risk of loss, injury, or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, strong seismic ground shaking, seismic-related ground failure including liquefaction, or landslides. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to seismic- and landslide-related hazards.
b. Would the project result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to substantial loss of topsoil. The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment. As a policy document, the CAAP would not directly require ground-disturbing activities. However, implementation of several CAAP measures, such as CAAP Measures BE-5, TR-1, TR-2, TR-4, TR-5, CIO-2, EH-1, and CS-1 may result in small-scale construction activities that could cause soil erosion or the loss of topsoil during construction.

CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with Pinole General Plan and PMC and other local and State erosion and grading regulations prior to final siting and construction. The potential for CAAP project construction activities involving soil disturbance to result in increased erosion and sediment transport by stormwater to surface waters would be minimized through compliance with PMC Chapter 15, Article 36, which includes erosion and sediment control standards, and/or the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit provided by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. These regulations require

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 86 best management practices (BMPs) such as the covering of graded slopes and stockpiled materials, storm drain protection, and use of fiber rolls and silt fences to reduce erosion and topsoil loss from stormwater runoff. Compliance with these regulations would ensure that BMPs are implemented during construction and that soil erosion and the loss of topsoil are minimized. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to soil erosion and loss of topsoil.
c. Would the project be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable, or that would become unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse?
d. Would the project be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating substantial direct or indirect risks to life or property? Figure 9.1 in the Health and Safety Element of the General Plan shows the liquefaction susceptibility, which includes a very high, moderate, and low ranking. The figure also shows landslide distributions in the City. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to project location on an unstable geologic unit or soil. The CAAP is a policy document containing programs that are consistent with the Pinole General Plan. Some of the proposed policies in the CAAP would support small-scale construction projects, such as EV charging stations. However, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with local and state geotechnical regulations prior to final siting and construction. New structures would be required to comply with the CBC, including measures to address unstable soil conditions. Therefore, the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to risks associated with location on unstable geologic unit or soil or on expansive soils.
e. Would the project have soils incapable of adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems where sewers are not available for the disposal of wastewater?
The CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not involve the development of habitable structures and, thus, no use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater disposal systems. Therefore, no impact would occur related to soil capability support of alternative wastewater disposal systems. f. Would the project directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to paleontological resources. The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes that would encourage new development but would instead promote sustainable development and redevelopment. As a policy document, the CAAP would not directly result in impacts related to paleontological resources or unique geologic features. CAAP policies that would involve construction activities, such as the policies related to building energy-efficiency, renewable energy production, and EV charging infrastructure, would involve work within existing, previously graded, and disturbed areas where the likelihood of encountering intact and previously undiscovered paleontological resources would be minimal.

Nonetheless, there is a possibility that these small-scale construction projects may expose

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 87
paleontological resources during ground disturbing activities. To reduce such risks, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with geotechnical and paleontological regulations prior to final siting and construction. In addition, the CAAP projects would be located and designed strategically to reduce ground disturbance to the maximum extent possible. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to paleontological resources and unique geologic features.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Future CAAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, could expose additional people and property to the seismic and geologic hazards that are present in the region.

The magnitude of geologic hazards for individual projects, including those associated with implementation of the CAAP, would depend upon the location, type, and size of development and the specific hazards associated with individual sites. Specific geologic hazards associated with individual project sites would be limited to those sites without affecting other areas. Similarly, potential impacts to paleontological resources associated with each individual site would be limited to that site without affecting other areas, and impacts related to these resources would be minimized on a case-by-case basis. Compliance with existing regulations, including CBC requirements, City-issued permit requirements, and the General Plan, would minimize potential cumulative seismic and geologic impacts. Seismic and geologic hazards and paleontological resources impacts would be addressed on a case-by-case basis and would not result in cumulative impacts. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to geology and soils.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 88 8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either
directly or indirectly, that may have a
significant impact on the environment? □ □ ■ □
b. Conflict with any applicable plan, policy, or
regulation adopted to reduce the emissions
of greenhouse gases? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project generate GHG emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant impact on the environment?
The greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence that helps regulate the temperature of the Earth. The majority of radiation from the sun hits Earth’s surface and warms it. The surface in turn radiates heat back towards the atmosphere, known as infrared radiation. Gases and clouds in the atmosphere trap and prevent some of this heat from escaping into space and re-radiate it in all directions. This process is essential to support life on Earth because it warms the planet by approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Emissions from human activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution (approximately 270 years ago) have been adding to the natural greenhouse effect by resulting in increased gases in the atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to an average increase in Earth’s temperature. Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface, and climate change is the resultant change in wind patterns, precipitation, and storms over an extended period.

GHGs produced by human activities include CO2, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorinated compound, and sulfur hexafluoride.47 Combustion of fossil fuels (gasoline, natural gas, and coal), deforestation, and decomposition of waste release carbon into the atmosphere that had been locked underground and stored in oil, gas, and other hydrocarbon deposits or in the biomass of surface vegetation. Since 1750, estimated concentrations of CO2, CH4, and N2O in the atmosphere have increased by over 36 percent, 148 percent, and 18 percent respectively, primarily due to human activity. Emissions of GHGs affect the atmosphere directly by changing its chemical composition.

Changes to the land surface also indirectly affect the atmosphere by changing the way in which Earth absorbs gases from the atmosphere. Potential impacts in California due to climate change include sea level rise, more extreme-heat days and high-ozone days, larger and more frequent 47 The CAAP only considers emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O, because these are the GHGs most relevant to local government policymaking.

These gases comprise a large majority of GHG emissions at the community level. The remaining gases are emitted primarily in private sector manufacturing and electricity transmission and are the subject of regulation at the State level. Therefore, these gases were omitted from the CAP.

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 89
forest fires, and more frequent and severe drought years.48Although GHG emissions do not typically cause direct health impacts at a local level, GHG emissions can result in indirect health impacts by contributing to climate change, which can have public health implications. The primary public health impacts of climate change include the following: 49
▪ Increased incidences of hospitalization and deaths due to increased incidences of extreme heat events;
▪ Increased incidences of health impacts related to ground-level ozone pollution due to increased average temperatures that facilitate ozone formation;
▪ Increased incidences of respiratory illnesses from wildfire smoke due to increased incidences of wildfires;
▪ Increased vector-borne diseases due to the growing extent of warm climates; and ▪ Increased stress and mental trauma due to extreme events and disasters, economic disruptions, and residential displacement.

Pinole has completed a communitywide GHG emissions inventory for 2017, which is summarized in Error! Reference source not found.. The combined energy sector (natural gas and electricity) was t he second largest contributor to Pinole’s GHG emissions, following the transportation (on- and offroad) sector. Figure 4 summarizes the communitywide GHG emissions forecast under three scenarios: 1) BAU, 2) BAU projections with state measures, and 3) the City of Pinole target reduction path along with State measures. Pinole is committed to an emissions reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (SB 32 target year) and reaching carbon neutrality by 2045 (AB 1279 target year). This 2030 GHG emissions goal is selected to be consistent with SB 32 State emissions targets and CEQA Guidelines § 15183.5 for a qualified GHG emissions reduction strategy as well as to be achievable by City-supported measures identified in the CAAP. The CAAP includes a BAU and adjusted forecast of GHG emissions that will enable the City to estimate the amount of emissions reductions needed to meet its goal. The measures included in the CAAP combined with statewide legislation and initiatives and regional transportation programs will enable the City to meet its emissions reduction by 2030 (SB 32 target year). Table 4 shows the contribution of the statewide initiatives along with the measures and actions. The City needs to achieve a target of 47,389 MT CO2e of GHG emissions by 2030 to meet its goal. The estimated GHG reductions accounted for in the CAAP would total 21,628 MT CO2e by 2030, which would bring the total emissions to 47,273 MT CO2e.

The CAAP includes measures intended to reduce communitywide GHG emissions. Implementation of the CAAP would result in the reduction of communitywide and per capita operational GHG emissions, while only generating temporary GHG emissions during construction of infrastructure such as EV charging stations and building energy and water efficiency upgrades. Additionally, the CAAP would serve as a pathway to reduce GHG emissions and introduce other beneficial environmental and sustainability effects. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning and, thus, would not result in construction or operational impacts related to GHG emissions. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would establish GHG emissions targets and analysis methodologies consistent with the goals established by the CAAP that are enforced during CEQA review with the intention of 48 CARB and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). 2009. Environmental Health and Equity Impacts from Climate Change and Mitigation Policies in California: A Review of the Literature. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.386.4605&rep=rep1&type=pdf (accessed December 2023). 49 California Natural Resources Agency. 2018. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment Statewide Summary Report. http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/state/ (accessed December 2023).

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 90 reducing GHG emissions associated with construction and operation of future projects and plans in Pinole. These benefits include reduction in building energy consumption, vehicle miles traveled (and thus air pollution), and solid waste generation. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to generation of GHG emissions. b. Would the project conflict with any applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases?
The CARB 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan outlines a pathway to achieving the 2045 goal codified by AB 1279. The CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds are policy-level documents that establish measures and actions to reduce GHG emissions within Pinole to comply with State regulations. As discussed under Response 8a above, the CAAP includes measures that would reduce GHG emissions from forecasted BAU levels to approximately 0.89 MT of CO2e per resident, 1.53 MT of CO2e per employee, and 1.10 MT of CO2e per service person by 2030. The purpose of the CAAP is to meet Pinole’s proportionate fair share of the statewide GHG emissions reduction target set by SB 32 and work toward the state’s longer-term target of carbon neutrality identified by the 2022 Scoping Plan and codified by AB 1279.

The CAAP would not conflict with any applicable GHG reduction plans, including the CARB 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan. The CAAP identifies how Pinole would achieve consistency with the statewide GHG emissions reduction goals. The CAAP would serve as a pathway to reduce GHG emissions and introduce other beneficial environmental and sustainability initiatives. These benefits include reduction in building energy consumption, VMT (and thus air pollution), and solid waste generation. Likewise, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would establish GHG emissions targets and analysis methodologies consistent with the CAAP and would be enforced during CEQA review with the intention of reducing GHG emissions associated with construction and operation of future projects and plans in Pinole. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a no impact related to consistency with applicable GHG emissions reduction plans, policies, and regulations.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Analyses of GHG emissions and climate change are cumulative in nature, as they affect the accumulation of GHG emissions in the atmosphere. Cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth and that exceed the proposed CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would have a significant impact related to GHG emissions and climate change, both individually and cumulatively. The CAAP creates a GHG emissions reduction strategy (consistent with Section 15183.5 of the CEQA Guidelines) for Pinole. The CAAP also includes a series of actions that are intended to reduce per capita GHG emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels) by 2030, which provides substantial progress toward Pinole meeting State goals. The City’s GHG targets were developed relative to the 2017 Community GHG emissions by back-casting to 1990. This back-cast utilized the change in statewide GHG emissions between 2017 and 1990 as a proxy for change in Pinole during the same period.As such, the CAAP would result in the reduction of GHG emissions rather than generating GHG emissions. Some GHG emissions would occur during future construction of CAAP-related infrastructure projects; however, these emissions would be

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 91
temporary and minor in nature. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in a less-thansignificant cumulative impact related to GHG emissions.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 92 9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through the routine
transport, use, or disposal of hazardous
materials? □ □ ■ □
b. Create a significant hazard to the public or
the environment through reasonably
foreseeable upset and accident conditions
involving the release of hazardous
materials into the environment? □ □ ■ □
c. Emit hazardous emissions or handle
hazardous or acutely hazardous materials,
substances, or waste within 0.25 mile of an
existing or proposed school? □ □ ■ □
d. Be located on a site that is included on a list
of hazardous material sites compiled
pursuant to Government Code Section
65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a
significant hazard to the public or the
environment? □ □ ■ □
e. For a project located in an airport land use
plan or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the
project result in a safety hazard or
excessive noise for people residing or
working in the project area? □ □ □ ■
f. Impair implementation of or physically
interfere with an adopted emergency
response plan or emergency evacuation
plan? □ □ □ ■
g. Expose people or structures, either directly or
indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury,
or death involving wildland fires? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials?

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 93
b. Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to hazardous materials. The CAAP is a policy document containing measures and actions to reduce GHG emissions. The CAAP does not involve identified site-specific development and, for the most part, it would not facilitate new development that would involve the routine use of hazardous materials. Implementation of some of the CAAP actions, such as energy and water efficiency retrofits and installation of EV charging stations, would require construction activities. Construction would involve the temporary use of hazardous materials such as vehicle fuels and fluids that could be released should an accidental leak or spill occur. However, these types of materials are not considered acutely hazardous, and storage, handling, and disposal of these materials are regulated by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, the U.S. EPA, and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration. In addition, standard construction BMPs for the use and handling of such materials would avoid or reduce the potential for such conditions to occur. Any use of potentially hazardous materials during construction of projects would comply with all local, State, and federal regulations regarding the handling of potentially hazardous materials, including Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations and Title 22, Division 4.5 of the CCR. Risk of spills would cease after construction is completed.

Therefore, construction activities related to CAAP actions would not be anticipated to create upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials, and operation of the majority of CAAP actions would not involve the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials during operation.

CAAP Measure BE-5 emphasizes increasing local renewable energy production and storage within the City by encouraging new and majorly renovated multi-family and commercial developments to include small-scale solar systems and battery storage in their design. Lithium-ion batteries, the typical battery technology used in battery storage systems, may pose a risk of upset and accidental release of hazardous chemicals contained within the batteries (e.g., in the event of a fire). Lithiumion technology is a common battery storage medium and is considered one of the safest and most efficient methods of energy storage on the market. During normal operation, lithium-ion batteries do not represent a risk to off-site receptors, and safety standards applicable to energy storage facilities and safety certification tests established by independent bodies, such as Underwriters Laboratories, National Fire Protection Association, and International Electrotechnical Commission would prevent any reasonable possibility of a substantial adverse effect on the environment related to the lithium-ion batteries. However, in the unlikely event of a fire, there is a risk of the accidental release of hazardous materials associated with renewable energy systems. Any future proposed renewable energy systems would, therefore, be carefully reviewed for appropriate locations, safety measures, and consistency with the Pinole General Plan, PMC, and applicable local, State, and federal regulations. Thus, establishment of such production and storage facilities would be subject to site specific review and approval by the Pinole Fire Department, Hazardous Materials Division, and Building Division and would be required to comply with all applicable safety standards.

Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to creating a significant hazard through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials and reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials.

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 94 c. Would the project emit hazardous emissions or handle hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, or waste within 0.25 mile of an existing or proposed school? The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to handling hazardous materials in the vicinity of schools. The CAAP is a policy document containing measures to reduce GHG emissions. The CAAP does not include site-specific proposals and development. Implementing some CAAP actions may require future development or improvements, such as EV charging stations and building improvements related to energy efficiency. However, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed to establish the appropriate location of projects in relation to existing development in the City and would be reviewed for consistency with the Pinole General Plan, PMC, and applicable local, State, and federal regulations. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to handling of hazardous materials in proximity to schools.
d. Would the project be located on a site included on a list of hazardous material sites compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 and, as a result, would it create a significant hazard to the public or the environment?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to project site location on a site included on a hazardous material site list. The CAAP is a policy document containing measures and supporting actions to reduce GHG emissions and increase community resilience. The CAAP does not include site-specific proposals and development, but CAAP measures could result in projects that could be located on listed hazardous materials sites. However, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with the Pinole General Plan, PMC, and would be required to comply with applicable local, State, and federal regulations related to hazardous materials sites. Therefore, the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to location on a listed hazardous materials site.
e. For a project located in an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project result in a safety hazard or excessive noise for people residing or working in the project area? There are no airports within the City of Pinole. The closest airports to Pinole are Oakland International Airport, which is 27 miles away, and San Francisco International Airport, which is 34 miles away. Buchanan Field is a local airport that does not currently support commercial airline service and is in Concord, approximately 15 miles east of Pinole. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to airport hazards. Furthermore, the CAAP is a policy document that would not increase airport activity or result in additional habitable development or commercial development that could increase potential exposure of residents and employees to aircraft-related hazards. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a no impact related to risks associated with location proximate to a public airport.

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 95
f. Would the project impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
The CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds are policy documents intended to reduce GHG emissions. The proposed CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds do not involve site-specific development, nor would they facilitate new development that would interfere with adopted emergency plans. Implementation of some CAAP measures may involve construction within the local right-of-way. Construction activities have the potential to require lane closures and may impact traffic and vehicle speeds on the affected roadways; however, these impacts would be temporary and access to roadways would be maintained throughout project construction.

Furthermore, future projects involving work in the public right-of-way would be required to coordinate with the City through the encroachment permit review and permitting process to confirm appropriate construction staging and adequate vehicular and pedestrian access on adjacent roadways and that emergency evacuation routes would not be substantially impacted. In addition, CAAP Measure BE-5 would expand renewable energy and battery storage of local community-scale renewable energy. Action CAR-3c also aims to establish a partnership between the City and Police and Fire Departments to collaboratively identify hazards, analyze risk, coordinate emergency response, and complete public outreach efforts, to develop a comprehensive and effective LHMP that enhances community resilience and minimizes the impact of potential disasters by 2028. This would improve the City’s ability to respond to emergency events. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to impairment or interference with implementation of an emergency response or evacuation plan. g. Would the project expose people or structures, either directly or indirectly, to a significant risk of loss, injury, or death involving wildland fires?
According to the Pinole General Plan Health and Safety Element, wildfire poses a high risk to the Sobrante Ridge boundary of the City from Duncan Canyon south through the slopes above Pinole Valley Park. 50 The CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds do not propose specific development or new residential or commercial land uses that could be subject to wildland fire, nor would they result other physical changes to the environment that could increase the risk of a wildland fire.

Furthermore, CAAP Measure WF-1 aims to enforce defensible space and home hardening standards to mitigate structure ignitions and protect the community from wildfires. In addition, the CAAP does not propose specific development or new residential or commercial land uses that could be exposed to wildland fire. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to risks associated with exposure to wildland fires.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Hazards and hazardous materials impacts are typically site-specific in nature. Future CAAPrelated projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, are not anticipated to contribute to 50 Pinole, City of. 2010. Pinole General Plan Health and Safety Element. 2010. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/City_of_Pinole_General_Pl an_12.2010-Chapter9.pdf (accessed December 2023)

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 96 cumulative hazards and hazardous materials impacts with adherence to applicable General Plan policies and federal, State, and local regulatory requirements. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to hazards and hazardous materials.

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 97
10 Hydrology and Water Quality
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Violate any water quality standards or
waste discharge requirements or otherwise
substantially degrade surface or
groundwater quality? □ □ ■ □
b. Substantially decrease groundwater
supplies or interfere substantially with
groundwater recharge such that the
project may impede sustainable
groundwater management of the basin? □ □ □ ■
c. Substantially alter the existing drainage
pattern of the site or area, including
through the alteration of the course of a
stream or river or through the addition of
impervious surfaces, in a manner which
would: □ □ □ ■
(i) Result in substantial erosion or siltation
on- or off-site; □ □ □ ■
(ii) Substantially increase the rate or
amount of surface runoff in a manner
which would result in flooding on- or
off-site; □ □ □ ■
(iii) Create or contribute runoff water
which would exceed the capacity of
existing or planned stormwater
drainage systems or provide
substantial additional sources of
polluted runoff; or □ □ □ ■
(iv) Impede or redirect flood flows? □ □ □ ■
d. In flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones,
risk release of pollutants due to project
inundation? □ □ ■ □
e. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of
a water quality control plan or sustainable
groundwater management plan? □ □ □ ■

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 98 a. Would the project violate any water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or groundwater quality? The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to water quality standards. The CAAP is a policy document containing actions intended to reduce GHG emissions within Pinole.

CAAP Measures BE-2 and BE-3 promote electrification of existing buildings, Measure TR-1 would improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the City, and Measures TR-4, TR-5, and CIO-2 would expand EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure. CAAP Measure W-1 would incentivize water efficiency retrofits to existing buildings and landscaped areas. These actions may result in small scale construction activities in the future that could result in temporary water quality impacts due to soil erosion and ground disturbance, as further discussed under Response 10c in Section 7, Geology and Soils.

However, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with local and State regulations, including the NPDES permitting program that requires implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), as applicable, and the PMC Chapter 15, Article 36, Section 240 that includes erosion and sediment control standards. Additionally, PMC Chapter 15, Article 36, Section 190 requires that an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan be prepared by a registered civil engineer, unless specific conditions, as outlined in the code, are met. These regulations require BMPs to reduce water quality impacts from construction activities. Compliance with the PMC and/or NPDES permitting program would ensure that BMPs are implemented during construction to minimize potential impacts to surface and groundwater quality. As such, the CAAP’s related infrastructure and retrofit projects would not result in new or different wastewater discharge that would violate water quality standards, waste discharge requirements, or otherwise degrade surface or groundwater quality. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in less-than-significant impacts related to surface or groundwater water quality in Pinole. b. Would the project substantially decrease groundwater supplies or interfere substantially with groundwater recharge such that the project may impede sustainable groundwater management of the basin?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to groundwater supplies. The CAAP is a policy document containing measures intended to reduce GHG emissions and increase adaptive capacity. Additionally, water in the City comes from EBMUD, which utilizes surface water, and no groundwater is used (EBMUD 2024). Nonetheless, CAAP Measure W-1 seeks to decrease community water use by 10 percent from 2017 levels in 2030. Reduced water use within the City would aid in maintaining groundwater supplies. CAAP Measure CS-1 would facilitate the expansion of the urban forest and greenspaces and development of new and enhanced natural areas within Pinole.

Increased greenspace and natural areas would increase pervious surfaces in Pinole for improved groundwater recharge. Implementation of other CAAP measures, such as improved EV charging infrastructure and building energy efficiency retrofits, would not substantially degrade groundwater quality or recharge or result in increased groundwater demand. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to impedance of sustainable groundwater management.

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 99
c. Would the project substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, including through the alteration of the course of a stream or river or through the addition of impervious surfaces, in a manner which would:
▪ Result in substantial erosion or siltation on- or off-site? ▪ Substantially increase the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner which would result in flooding on- or off-site?
▪ Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity of existing or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantial additional sources of polluted runoff? ▪ Impede or redirect flood flows?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to alterations in drainage patterns and impervious surfaces. Implementation of several CAAP measures may promote infrastructure development and small-scale construction activities within Pinole. CAAP Measures BE-2 and BE-3 promote electrification of existing buildings, Measure TR-1 would improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the City, and Measures T-4, T-5, and CIO-2 would expand EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure, CAAP Measure W-1 would incentivize water efficiency retrofits to existing buildings and landscaped areas. Implementation of these CAAP actions would primarily occur within previously developed areas and would not result in substantial alterations to Pinole’s existing drainage patterns and amount of impervious surface. Construction of CAAP projects could result in erosion as discussed in Section 7, Geology and Soils. However, impacts to drainage and water quality during construction would be minimized through the implementation of BMPs as required by PMC Chapter 15, Article 36, which includes erosion and sediment control standards and/or NPDES Construction General Permit program. In addition, CAAP projects would be developed in accordance with the City’s General Plan, which includes goals and policies for the protection and preservation of ridgelines, creek corridors, trees, open space areas, and the bayfront.
51 Furthermore, CAAP Measure CS-1 would increase permeable surfaces in Pinole, which would improve drainage and water quality. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a no impact related to the alteration of existing drainage patterns. d. Would the project result in flood hazard, tsunami, or seiche zones, risk release of pollutants due to project inundation?
According to the General Plan, Pinole is not located within designated seiche or landslide hazard zone.52 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Hazard Map has identified areas in Pinole that are subject to flooding, which are almost entirely located at the San Pablo Bay shoreline and along Pinole Creek- the two surface water features in the City. Therefore, areas of Pinole are at risk of flooding. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to flooding and the risk of the release of pollutants. As described under Response 10c, CAAP projects 51 Pinole, City of. 2010. General Plan Update. October 20, 2010. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/2010%20General%20Plan %20with%202023-2031%20Housing%20Element%20Update.pdf (accessed January 2024). 52 Pinole, City of. 2010. General Plan Update. October 20, 2010. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/2010%20General%20Plan %20with%202023-2031%20Housing%20Element%20Update.pdf (accessed January 2024).

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 100
would not impede or redirect flood flows, and as discussed under Responses 9a and b in Section 9, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, CAAP projects would generally not involve the regular use or storage of hazardous materials with the exception of renewable energy systems that include the storage of lithium-ion batteries. Future CAAP projects, such as renewable energy systems, would be reviewed for compliance with the applicable local and State regulations related to flooding and hazardous materials use and storage, including CBC standards for construction. Furthermore, any projects associated with implementation of the CAAP located in flood-prone areas must comply with HMC Chapter 15, Article 5, which provides requirements to mitigate potential flood risks, including general construction standards. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to flooding and inundation resulting in release of pollutants.
e. Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to obstruction of a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan. The CAAP measures would not include activities that would result in the extraction of groundwater. Rather, the CAAP encourages reduced water consumption and expanded pervious surfaces within Pinole, which would aid in groundwater conservation and recharge and reduced surface water runoff and related water quality issues. The CAAP would not interfere with or obstruct implementation of water quality standards or waste discharge requirements or otherwise substantially degrade surface or ground water quality.

Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to consistency with a water quality control plan or sustainable groundwater management plan.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in any development or land use changes that could result in cumulative impacts related to hydrology and water quality.

Future CAAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, are not anticipated to contribute to cumulative hydrology and water quality impacts with adherence to applicable General Plan policies and local, State, and federal regulatory requirements.

Implementation of the CAAP would not contribute to an increase in growth and development in Pinole but could result in small-scale infrastructure development and building retrofit projects, including new EV charging infrastructure and energy and water efficiency upgrades. As such, implementation of the CAAP and other cumulative projects could have incremental impacts related to hydrology and water quality, such as erosion and sedimentation due to construction activities.

However, the CAAP’s contribution to such impacts would be minor and temporary, and the CAAP would have the long-term effect of reducing water use and improving sustainable stormwater management. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to hydrology and water quality.

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 101
11 Land Use and Planning
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Physically divide an established
community? □ □ □ ■
b. 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? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project physically divide an established community? The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to division of an established community. The CAAP is a policy document containing measures that are consistent with the Pinole General Plan and does not include actions or specific development projects that would divide an established community. CAAP Measures TR-1, TR-2, and TR-3 facilitate the installation of active transportation infrastructure and amenities, improved public transit connectivity, and enhanced safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. Such actions would help to increase connectivity within Pinole.

Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to division of an established community.
b. Would the project 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?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning and, thus, would not result in a construction or operational conflict with land use plans and policies. Rather, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would establish GHG emissions targets and analysis methodologies consistent with the goals established by the CAAP that are enforced during CEQA review with the intention of reducing GHG emissions associated with construction and operation of future projects and plans in the City.

The CAAP is a policy document containing measures that are consistent with Pinole’s General Plan and that are designed to reduce adverse environmental impacts associated with climate change.

Nonetheless, implementing the CAAP could require some modification of existing policies, including developing and implementing new programs, and projects, or modifying existing ones. For example, CAAP Measures BE-1, BE-2, and BE-3 would establish new building ordinances or updates to the existing municipal code to require building electrification in residential developments and decarbonization of commercial developments. To implement these measures, the PMC, Pinole General Plan, and other applicable City documents may need to be amended to reflect new or

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 102
modified requirements. However, where modifications of existing policies are needed, the CAAP measures would result in greater avoidance or reduction of environmental effects. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to consistency with current land use plans or policies.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

The CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds are policy documents containing measures that are consistent with the Pinole General Plan. Nonetheless, implementation of the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, would require some modification of existing land use policies, including amending the General Plan and developing and implementing new programs, and projects, or modifying existing ones. The proposed policy changes in the CAAP are consistent with the intent of the goals and policies established within the General Plan and PMC and would not cumulatively contribute to population growth or the loss of housing.

Cumulative projects, including the CAAP, would be required to adhere to City development regulations and General Plan policies to retain land use character and minimize environmental impacts. Future CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with the General Plan and other applicable regulatory land use actions prior to approval. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to land use.

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 103
12 Mineral Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Result in the loss of availability of a known
mineral resource that would be of value to
the region and the residents of the state? □ □ □ ■
b. Result in the loss of availability of a locally
important mineral resource recovery site
delineated on a local general plan, specific
plan, or other land use plan? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state?
b. Would the project result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan, or other land use plan? No mineral resources are identified in the City of Pinole General Plan.53 Likewise, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not facilitate additional urban growth or infrastructure development projects within the City that could result in the loss of availability of known mineral resources. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to mineral resources.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Therefore, CAAP-related projects and the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, are not anticipated to contribute to cumulative impacts to mineral resources. Thus, implementation of the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no cumulative impact related to mineral resources. 53 Pinole, City of. 2010. General Plan Update. October 20, 2010. https://cdnsm5- hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_10946972/File/City%20Government/Planning/General%20Plan/2010%20General%20Plan %20with%202023-2031%20Housing%20Element%20Update.pdf (accessed January 2024).

City of Pinole
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 104
13 Noise
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project result in:
a. Generation of a substantial temporary or
permanent increase in ambient noise levels
in the vicinity of the project in excess of
standards established in the local general
plan or noise ordinance, or applicable
standards of other agencies? □ □ ■ □
b. Generation of excessive groundborne
vibration or groundborne noise levels? □ □ ■ □
c. For a project located within the vicinity of a
private airstrip or an airport land use plan
or, where such a plan has not been
adopted, within two miles of a public
airport or public use airport, would the
project expose people residing or working
in the project area to excessive noise
levels? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project result in exposure of persons to or generation of noise levels in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies?
Noise is unwanted sound that disturbs human activity. Environmental noise levels typically fluctuate over time, and different types of noise descriptors are used to account for this variability. Noise level measurements include intensity, frequency, and duration, as well as time of occurrence. Noise level (or volume) is generally measured in decibels (dB) using the A-weighted sound pressure level (dBA). Because of the way the human ear works, a sound must be about 10 dBA greater than the reference sound to be judged as twice as loud. In general, a 3 dBA change in community noise levels is noticeable, while 1-2 dBA changes generally are not perceived. Quiet suburban areas typically have noise levels in the range of 40-50 dBA, while arterial streets are in the 50-60+ dBA range.

Normal conversational levels are in the 60-65 dBA range, and ambient noise levels greater than 65 dBA can interrupt conversations.

Noise levels typically attenuate (or drop off) at a rate of 6 dBA per doubling of distance from point sources (such as construction equipment). Noise from lightly traveled roads typically attenuates at a rate of about 4.5 dBA per doubling of distance. Noise from heavily traveled roads typically attenuates at about 3 dBA per doubling of distance, while noise from a point source typically attenuates at about 6 dBA per doubling of distance. Noise levels may also be reduced by the introduction of intervening structures. For example, a single row of buildings between the receptor

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 105
and the noise source reduces the noise level by about 5 dBA, while a solid wall or berm that breaks the line-of-sight reduces noise levels by 5 to 10 dBA.

The Health and Safety Element of the Pinole General Plan aims to identify the major sources of noise in the City and ensure that comfortable and safe noise levels are retained throughout the community. Noise in Pinole is primarily generated by vehicular and rail. Noise generated by vehicular traffic in Pinole is greatest along I 80 and San Pablo Avenue. Two rail lines traverse the City, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, and the Union Pacific. There are no significant sources of aircraft or industrial noise in the City of Pinole. The ambient noise environment in Pinole is defined primarily by traffic on I 80, which runs northeast to southwest through the City. As stated in the General Plan, at locations removed from I 80 and the railroads, the ambient noise environment tends to be defined by local traffic and typical neighborhood noise sources. No significant noise-producing commercial or industrial activities are identified in the City of Pinole. From a land use planning perspective, there are two goals for controlling fixed-source noise: to prevent the introduction of new noise-producing uses in noise-sensitive areas and to prevent encroachment of noise-sensitive uses upon existing noise-producing facilities. The first goal can be achieved by applying noise performance standards to proposed new noise-producing uses. The second goal can be met by requiring that new noise-sensitive uses in proximity to noise-producing facilities include mitigation measures to ensure compliance with those noise performance standards.

The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to excessive noise levels. The CAAP is a policy document containing programs that are consistent with the City’s General Plan. Some of the CAAP measures would support small-scale construction projects that could result in temporary noise. CAAP Measures BE-2 and BE-3 promote electrification of existing buildings, Measure T-1 would improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the City, Measures T-4, T-5, and CIO-2 would expand EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure, and CAAP Measure W-1 would incentivize water efficiency retrofits to existing buildings and landscaped areas. However, CAAP projects would be reviewed for consistency with the General Plan and PMC, and construction activities would be required to comply with the provisions of the PMC Section 8.35.030. Therefore, the CAAP would not result in significant construction noise related impacts.

The CAAP does not include future projects that would result in substantial operational noise. Rather, the CAAP encompasses a suite of GHG-reduction opportunities that affect the transportation sector and its associated noise. For example, CAAP Measures TR-4, TR-5, TR-6, CIO-2, and CIO-3 encourage adoption of EVs and electric off-road equipment, which are quieter than gas-powered alternatives.

Additionally, Measures TR-1 and TR-2 aim to facilitate improvements to bicycle and public transit circulation to increase active transportation and transit ridership and decrease VMT. These measures would reduce VMT and traffic-related noise in Pinole. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not generate excessive operational noise levels and would result in a less-than-significant impact related to noise exposure. b. Would the project result in exposure of persons to or generation of excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels?
While people have varying sensitivities to vibrations at different frequencies, in general they are most sensitive to low-frequency vibration. Vibration in buildings, such as from nearby construction activities, may cause windows, items on shelves, and pictures on walls to rattle. Vibration of building components can also take the form of an audible low-frequency rumbling noise, referred to as

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groundbourne noise.54 Although groundbourne vibration is sometimes noticeable in outdoor environments, it is almost never annoying to people who are outdoors. The primary concern of vibration is that it can be intrusive and annoying to building occupants and vibration-sensitive land uses.

Vibration amplitudes are usually expressed in peak particle velocity (PPV) or Root Mean Square (RMS) vibration velocity. The PPV and RMS velocity are normally described in inches per second (in/sec). PPV is defined as the maximum instantaneous positive or negative peak of a vibration signal. PPV is often used in monitoring of blasting vibration because it is related to the stresses that are experienced by buildings.55 Vibration significance ranges from approximately 50 vibration decibels (VdB), which is the typical background vibration-velocity level, to 100 VdB, the general threshold where minor damage can occur in fragile buildings. The general human response to different levels of groundborne vibration velocity levels is described in Table 6. 56 Table 6 Human Response to Different Levels of Groundborne Vibration Vibration Velocity Level Human Reaction
65 VdB Approximate threshold of perception for many people. 75 VdB Approximate dividing line between barely perceptible and distinctly perceptible. Many people find that transportation-related vibration at this level is unacceptable. 85 VdB Vibration acceptable only if there are an infrequent number of events per day.

VdB = vibration decibels
Source: Federal Transit Administration 2018
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to groundborne vibration. The CAAP is a policy document containing programs that are consistent with the City’s General Plan. Some of the CAAP actions would support small-scale construction projects, such as EV charging station construction and building energy and water efficiency retrofits that may result in a temporary, minor increase in groundborne vibration. However, CAAP projects would be reviewed for consistency with the General Plan and PMC, and construction activities would be required to comply with applicable local, State, and federal regulations to ensure that temporary construction impacts related to groundborne vibration would be minimized. Furthermore, CAAP projects would not include operational sources of groundborne vibration. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to groundborne vibration.
c. For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip or an airport land use plan or, where such a plan has not been adopted, within two miles of a public airport or public use airport, would the project expose people residing or working in the project area to excessive noise levels? 54 California Department of Transportation. 2020. Transportation and Construction Vibration Guidance Manual (CT-HWANP-RT-13- 069.25.3). https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/environmental-analysis/documents/env/tcvgm-apr2020-a11y.pdf (accessed December 2023).
55 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). 2006. FHWA Highway Construction Noise Handbook. (FHWAHEP-06-015; DOT-VNTSC-FHWA06-02). https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Environment/noise/construction_noise/handbook/handbook00.cfm (accessed December 2023). 56 Federal Transit Administration. 2018. Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Manual. https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/research-innovation/118131/transit-noise-and-vibration-impact-assessmentmanual-fta-report-no-0123_0.pdf (accessed December 2023).

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There are no airports located within the City of Pinole. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to airport noise. Furthermore, the CAAP is a policy document that would not increase airport activity or result in additional habitable development or commercial development that could increase potential exposure of residents and employees to airport noise.

Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to aviation-related noise exposure.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. The CAAP is a policy document containing programs that are consistent with the General Plan, including the Health and Safety Element. Nonetheless, CAAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, would support construction projects, such as EV charging station construction that may result in a temporary increase in groundborne vibration or noise levels.

However, cumulative projects, including future CAAP projects, would be subject to review by the City for compliance with the General Plan and PMC and would be required to comply with applicable State and federal regulations governing construction noise and vibration. Additionally, the CAAP encompasses a suite of GHG-reduction opportunities that would decrease traffic and traffic-related noise. As such, implementation of the CAAP would not generate permanent, excessive groundborne vibration or noise levels. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to noise.

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14 Population and Housing
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Induce substantial unplanned population
growth in an area, either directly (for
example, by proposing new homes and
businesses) or indirectly (for example,
through extension of roads or other
infrastructure)? □ □ □ ■
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing
people or housing, necessitating the
construction of replacement housing
elsewhere? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project induce substantial unplanned population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure)?
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to substantial unplanned population growth or the displacement of existing people or housing. The CAAP does not include measures, policies, or programs that would result in new housing or jobs or that would displace existing residents or housing. In addition, the CAAP does not propose new infrastructure, such as roadways or utilities, which could indirectly lead to new population growth or development. Therefore, the CAAP would not directly increase the population, indirectly induce additional unplanned population growth, or displace people or housing. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to population and housing.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Future CAAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, are not anticipated to displace people or housing nor induce substantial unplanned population growth within Pinole. Specifically, the CAAP would not contribute to person or housing displacement in Pinole nor result in population growth beyond that already assumed and planned for in the General

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Plan. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no cumulative impact related to population and housing.

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15 Public Services
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
a. Would the project result in substantial
adverse physical impacts associated with
the provision of new or physically altered
governmental facilities, or the need for
new or physically altered governmental
facilities, the construction of which could
cause significant environmental impacts, in
order to maintain acceptable service ratios,
response times or other performance
objectives for any of the public services:

Fire protection? □ □ □ ■
Police protection? □ □ □ ■
Schools? □ □ □ ■
Parks? □ □ □ ■
Other public facilities? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered governmental facilities, or the need for new or physically altered governmental facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios, response times or other performance objectives for any of the public services:
▪ Fire protection?
▪ Police protection?
▪ Schools?
▪ Parks?
▪ Other public facilities?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to public services. The CAAP is a policy document containing programs that are consistent with the City’s General Plan.

Implementation of the CAAP and its proposed measures and actions would not result in increases in population or new employment opportunities that could induce population growth, as further discussed in Section 14, Population and Housing. As such, the CAAP would not require the construction of new or physically altered governmental facilities to serve an additional population,

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the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts. CAAP Measure WF-1 would help enforce defensible space and home hardening standards to mitigate structure ignitions from wind blow embers, thereby reducing the burden on local public services related to such natural disasters. Furthermore, future CAAP-related projects would be reviewed for consistency with the General Plan and other applicable local and State regulations related to public services.

Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to public services in terms of need for the construction of new or altered governmental facilities.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Implementation of future CAAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, would not result in increases in population or induce additional population growth beyond that assumed under the General Plan. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would not result in substantial cumulative need to expand public services facilities. Rather, the CAAP includes measures to improve community resilience and reduce the potential impacts of climate change in the City, thereby reducing the burden on local public services related to climate change-induced disasters.

Therefore, the CAAP would result in a no cumulative impact related to public services.

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16 Recreation
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Increase the use of existing neighborhood
and regional parks or other recreational
facilities such that substantial physical
deterioration of the facility would occur or
be accelerated? □ □ □ ■
b. Include recreational facilities or require the
construction or expansion of recreational
facilities which might have an adverse
physical effect on the environment? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project increase the use of existing neighborhood and regional parks or other recreational facilities such that substantial physical deterioration of the facility would occur or be accelerated?
b. Would the project include recreational facilities or require the construction or expansion of recreational facilities which might have an adverse physical effect on the environment? According to the General Plan, Pinole has approximately 358 acres of land that are occupied by thirteen parks, including one regional park, four community parks, and five neighborhood parks. The City also has six school sites with park areas totaling an additional 16.5 acres, as summarized in the Community Services and Facilities Element. Additionally, the Growth Management Element includes an action to establish 3.0 acres of neighborhood or regional parks, or 5.0 acres of dedicated open space per 1,000 residents. Multiple General Plan Elements include goals and actions aimed to protect open space and recreational resources, including the Land Use and Economic Development, Community Services and Facilities, and Natural Resources and Open Space Elements. The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to parks or recreational facilities. The CAAP is a policy document containing programs that are consistent with the General Plan, including the recreation and open space policies established in the Land Use and Economic Development, Community Services and Facilities, and Natural Resources and Open Space Elements. CAAP MeasureTR-1 includes an action that aims to connect open spaces currently disconnected from active transportation routes. Additionally, Measure SLR-2 includes an action that aims to identify replacement opportunities or otherwise plan for how to replace recreational areas and accessways that will be lost due to inundation or damage associated with sea level rise. Furthermore, as described in Section 14, Population and Housing, the CAAP would not result in substantial population growth or direct land use changes. As such, implementation of the CAAP would not result in a substantial physical deterioration of parks or other recreational facilities or result in the need to expand recreational facilities. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds

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would result in no impact related to the need for construction of new or altered recreational facilities.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Implementation of CAAP projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, would not result in increases in population or induce additional population growth beyond that assumed under the General Plan. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would not result in increased demand for parks or substantial cumulative physical deterioration of parks or other recreational facilities or result in the cumulative need to expand recreational facilities. In addition, the CAAP includes measures to increase greenspace, natural areas, and parks within the community, which aligns with the General Plan recreation goals. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in no cumulative impact related to recreation.

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17 Transportation
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or
policy addressing the circulation system,
including transit, roadway, bicycle and
pedestrian facilities? □ □ □ ■
b. Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA
Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision
(b)? □ □ □ ■
c. Substantially increase hazards due to a
geometric design feature (e.g., sharp
curves or dangerous intersections) or
incompatible use (e.g., farm equipment)? □ □ ■ □
d. Result in inadequate emergency access? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project conflict with a program, plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities? b. Would the project conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b)?
The General Plan Circulation Element includes the following goals:
▪ Goal CE.1: Reduce vehicle miles traveled and encourage the use of public transit. ▪ Goal CE.2: Achieve a coordinated regional and local transportation system that minimizes traffic congestion and efficiently serves users.
▪ Goal CE.3: Provide timely input and effective means (as appropriate) of programming street and highway improvements to maintain the objective peak hour level of service without detrimentally impacting community character or commercial activity. ▪ Goal CE.4: Establish programs to support sidewalk, trail and street enhancements, where feasible.
▪ Goal CE.5: Provide adequate parking and loading facilities while encouraging alternative means of transportation.
▪ Goal CE.6: Reduce the amount of peak hour automobile congestion on city streets, as appropriate.
▪ Goal CE.7: Support bicycle use as a mode of transportation by enhancing infrastructure to accommodate bicycles and riders.
▪ Goal CE.8: Provide a safe network of well-maintained pedestrian walkways throughout Pinole that encourages walking as a form of non-motorized transportation.

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Additionally, the City is preparing an Active Transportation Plan ([ATP] Walk & Roll Pinole 2024) to establish a vision for improving walking and bicycling within Pinole for people of all ages and abilities. When complete, it is anticipated that the City’s ATP will provide recommendations that seek to increase safety, accessibility, and comfort for pedestrians and bicyclists; enhance connectivity between existing transportation networks and key destinations; and help the City address regional goals to reduce VMT.57
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts that would conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy addressing the transportation circulation system. The CAAP is a policy document containing measures and policies that are consistent with the General Plan Circulation Element. CAAP Measure TR-1 aims to create a safe and connected active transportation network linked to Pinole Creek to increase active transportation mode share, and Measure T-2 would implement public and shared transit improvements and programs to achieve an increase public transit mode share. Additionally, CAAP Measure TR-3 aims to develop programs and policies to discourage driving single passenger vehicles and to support the active transportation and public transit mode share goals of Measures TR-1 and TR-2. These CAAP measures would advance active transportation and public transit within Pinole and decrease VMT and associated air pollutants and GHG emissions. These CAAP measures would be consistent with the General Plan Circulation Element goals related to improving multi-modal facilities, reducing VMT and single-occupancy vehicles, encouraging active transportation, and reducing vehicle congestion within Pinole.

Furthermore, the CAAP would seek to reduce VMT within the City, consistent with CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b). Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to consistency with plans addressing the transportation circulation system and CEQA Guidelines section 15064.3, subdivision (b). c. Would the project substantially increase hazards due to a design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible use (e.g., farm equipment)? d. Would the project result in inadequate emergency access? The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to risk associated with transportation design, incompatible use, or emergency access. The CAAP is a policy document containing measures that are consistent with the General Plan and would not facilitate development beyond that allowed under the General Plan. Implementation of some CAAP measures may involve construction within the local right-of-way. Construction activities have the potential to require lane closures and may impact traffic and vehicle speeds on the affected roadways; however, these impacts would be temporary and access to roadways would generally be maintained throughout project construction. Furthermore, future projects involving work in the public right-of-way would be required to coordinate with the City through the encroachment permit process to ensure appropriate construction staging and adequate vehicular and pedestrian access on adjacent roadways. Coordination with the City would ensure that significant impacts to the circulation system design, including safety impacts and emergency access, would not occur. As such, construction of future CAAP-related projects would not create transportation design hazards or result in inadequate 57 Pinole, City of. 2024. Walk & Roll Pinole 2024: A Plan for People of All Ages and Abilities. https://ghd.mysocialpinpoint.com/pinole_atp (Accessed February 2024)

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emergency access. Furthermore, the CAAP would facilitate increased active transportation and public transit use and decreased VMT within Pinole, which in turn would reduce potential transportation hazards and congestion conditions that can hinder emergency response. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to transportation hazards and emergency access.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth could result in increases in VMT or changes affecting traffic design safety and emergency access. However, the CAAP is a policy document containing programs that are consistent with the General Plan and other applicable transportation policies and does not propose new development that would increase VMT, result in design hazard, or affect emergency access.

Rather, the CAAP measures and actions would promote alternative modes of transportation and reduction of VMT throughout Pinole, consistent with goals contained in the Circulation Element.

Therefore, the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to transportation.

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18 Tribal Cultural Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code Section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
a. Listed or eligible for listing in the California
Register of Historical Resources, or in a
local register of historical resources as
defined in Public Resources Code section
5020.1(k), or □ □ ■ □
b. A resource determined by the lead agency, in
its discretion and supported by substantial
evidence, to be significant pursuant to
criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public
Resources Code Section 2024.1. In applying
the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of
Public Resources Code Section 5024.1, the
lead agency shall consider the significant of
the resource to a California Native American
tribe? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in a Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe and that is listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code § 5020.1 (k)? b. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in a Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe and that is a resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 2024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significant of the resource to a California Native American tribe?
On January 26, 2024, 14 Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)-identified local Native American tribal representatives from 12 Native American Tribal groups were formally notified that the City initiated environmental review of the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds and were invited to consult on the plan. On February 1, 2024, the NAHC provided an updated list with six

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additional representatives for local Native American Tribal groups, and these additional representatives were formally notified of the project on February 1, 2024. The Native American Tribal groups that were notified for the plan include the following:
▪ Amah Mutsun Tribal Band of Mission San Juan Bautista
▪ Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians
▪ Guidiville Indian Rancheria
▪ Indian Canyon Mutsun Band of Costanoan
▪ Muwekma Ohlone Indian Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area ▪ Nashville Enterprise Miwok-Maidu-Nishinam Tribe
▪ North Valley Yokuts Tribe
▪ The Ohlone Indian Tribe
▪ The Confederate Villages of Lisjan
▪ Tule River Indian Tribe
▪ Wilton Rancheria
▪ Wuksache Indian Tribe/Eshom Valley Band
On January 30, 2024, a representative from the Confederate Villages of Lisjan responded requesting a consultation. On April 17, 2024, City staff met with representatives from the Confederate Villages of Lisjan to initiate the consultation. During the meeting, the proposed project was discussed.

Additionally, the specific conditions, measures, or protocols that are being considered to address concerns of local tribes as part of the proposed project, and areas where Tribes can work with the City to implement the CAAP were discussed. No mitigation measures were requested, and no tribal cultural resources were identified that could be impacted by the plan. Therefore AB 52 compliance requirements have been met.

The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to tribal cultural resources. The CAAP would not involve land use or zoning changes that would increase development within the City but would instead promote sustainable infrastructure development within the urbanized area of the City. As a policy document, the CAAP would also not directly entail ground disturbing activities; however, implementation of various CAAP actions related to existing building energy, active transportation facilities, EV charging infrastructure, and tree planting may include minor construction activities in the future.

Implementation of these CAAP actions could impact unknown tribal cultural resources during construction that involves below-grade activities in previously undisturbed soils. However, the CAAP projects would be located and designed strategically to reduce ground disturbance to the maximum extent possible. In addition, CAAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with applicable local, regional, and state tribal cultural and archaeological regulations prior to final siting and construction and would be required to implement BMPs in accordance with the Community Character Element of the General Plan, which requires a cultural resources study to be complete for all applicable discretionary projects by a professional archaeologist or architectural historian that meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards in archaeology (Action CC.4.2.4). Additionally, Action CC.4.2.5 states that, “should any cultural resources such as structural features, unusual amounts of bone or shell, artifacts, or architectural remains be encountered

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during development activities, work shall be suspended within 50 feet of the discovery and the City of Pinole Community Development Department shall be immediately notified…” As such, tribal cultural resources would be protected prior to and/or upon discovery and, thus, impacts would be reduced to a minimal level. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to tribal cultural resources.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. CAAP projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, could increase the potential for adverse effects to unknown tribal cultural resources in Pinole. However, impacts to tribal cultural resources are site-specific; accordingly, as required under applicable laws and regulations, potential impacts associated with cumulative developments would be addressed on a case-by-case basis as cumulative project details and locations become known. CAAP projects and other cumulative projects would be required to comply with the actions outlined in the Community Conservation Element related to a cultural resource study be complete, and if unanticipated items be found, the City would be contacted immediately, and work would be halted within 50 feet of the discovery.

Therefore, the CAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to tribal cultural resources.

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19 Utilities and Service Systems
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Require or result in the relocation or
construction of new or expanded water,
wastewater treatment or storm water
drainage, electric power, natural gas, or
telecommunications facilities, the
construction or relocation of which could
cause significant environmental effects? □ □ ■ □
b. Have sufficient water supplies available to
serve the project and reasonably
foreseeable future development during
normal, dry and multiple dry years? □ □ □ ■
c. Result in a determination by the
wastewater treatment provider which
serves or may serve the project that it has
adequate capacity to serve the project’s
projected demand in addition to the
provider’s existing commitments? □ □ □ ■
d. Generate solid waste in excess of State or
local standards, or in excess of the capacity
of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair
the attainment of solid waste reduction
goals? □ □ □ ■
e. Comply with federal, State, and local
management and reduction statutes and
regulations related to solid waste? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water, wastewater treatment or storm water drainage, electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects?
The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not have direct construction or operational impacts related to utilities and service systems.

The CAAP is a policy document aimed at reducing solid waste production and energy and water consumption, amongst other issues, and the related GHG emissions throughout Pinole and does not include site-specific infrastructure designs or project proposals. Implementing the CAAP would not

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result in an increase in population or housing nor would it facilitate growth beyond that anticipated by the General Plan. As such, implementation of the CAAP would not create new demand related to water, wastewater, stormwater drainage, electric power, natural gas power, or telecommunications utilities. However, projects resulting from implementation of the CAAP could include redevelopment and/or restructuring of electricity and natural gas power facilities and infrastructure, as well as new local renewable energy generation and storage and green stormwater infrastructure projects. Potential impacts related to these measures are discussed further below.

Water Supply Facilities/Infrastructure
The City of Pinole receives water from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). The EBMUD supplies water and provides wastewater treatment for a large part of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. According to the EBMUD Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), the EBMUD water supply system collects, transmits, treats, and distributes water from its primary water source, the Mokelumne River, to its customers in the San Francisco East Bay Area.58 The Mokelumne Aqueducts convey the Mokelumne River supply from Pardee Reservoir, located upstream of Camanche Dam, across the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (Delta) to local storage and treatment facilities in the East Bay. After treatment, water is distributed to the incorporated cities and unincorporated communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties that EBMUD serves. Based on the historical average, approximately 90 percent of the raw water entering EBMUD’s system originates from the Mokelumne River watershed, and approximately 10 percent originates as runoff from the protected watershed lands in the East Bay Area.

CAAP Measure W-1 seeks to decrease community water use by adopting a Water Conservation and Water Shortage Contingency Program Ordinance to establish drought thresholds that trigger varying water use reduction strategies with a focus on domestic water use, health and sanitation, and fire protection. Additionally, implementation of this measure would include a variety of educational campaigns that focus on water conservation, removing non-functional or decorative turf, and waterwise landscaping and watering practices. Likewise, CAAP Measure W-2 aims to increase the community’s use, supply, and access to recycled water. This would be achieved through completion of a feasibility study with EBMUD to identify opportunities for increase supply of recycled water in the City, pursuit of funding for recycled water infrastructure, and development of a Recycled Water Infrastructure Enhancement Plan that outlines the potential for system expansion, identifies opportunities, as applicable, to integrate recycled water sources into non-potable water networks for irrigation, and the promotion of educational campaigns that raise awareness on what recycled water is and how it is used. Additionally, CAAP Measure CS-1 aims to increase carbon sequestration and prepare the urban forest for climate change, extreme heat, drought, and wildfire, which includes an action to amend the municipal code to include street tree requirements for all zoning districts, increase shade tree requirements for new developments, and include increased permeable surface requirements for new development or substantial redevelopment, improving water infiltration and groundwater recharge. Furthermore, the CAAP would not result in new land uses, such as increased residential or commercial development, which would contribute to an increase in water use compared to existing conditions or that would require relocation or construction of new water infrastructure. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would have no impact related to the need for construction or expansion of water supply facilities and infrastructure.
58 EBMUD. Urban Water Management Plan 2020. June 2021. https://www.ebmud.com/water/about-your-water/water-supply/urbanwater-management-plan (accessed January 2024).

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 122
Wastewater Treatment Facilities/Infrastructure
The City of Pinole has a sewer collection system serving most of the City of Pinole, however, some areas in the southwest portion of the City are served by West County Wastewater District. The City of Pinole owns and operates the Pinole-Hercules Water Pollution Control Plant that provides secondary treatment of domestic, commercial, and industrial wastewater, serving a population of about 40,000, with an average daily flow of 3.5 million gallons. 59 The wastewater collection system
includes approximately 49 miles of City-owned gravity sanitary sewers, 565 manholes, two lift stations, less than a mile of pressure force mains, and about 5,340 laterals.60 The CAAP would not result in new land uses that would generate sanitary wastewater or otherwise contribute to an increase in wastewater treatment requirements. The amount of wastewater treated at the Water Pollution Control Plan would not change compared to existing conditions with implementation of the CAAP. The CAAP would not require relocation or construction of new wastewater treatment infrastructure. However, CAAP Measure SW-4 aims to analyze the opportunities to enhance the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant to divert organic waste from the landfill and increase organics recovery. This analysis would include a feasibility study to identify local partners, analyze the potential volume of waste, and assess facility upgrades needed to complete a pilot project at the WWTP and would not include direct construction or expansion of wastewater treatment facilities. Therefore, no impact related to construction or expansion of wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure would occur.

Stormwater Drainage Facilities/Infrastructure
The City maintains a system of storm drains, gutters, and ditches to convey stormwater generated during rain events. As discussed in Section 10, Hydrology and Water Quality, implementation of CAAP measures related to building electrification and energy and water efficiency upgrades, renewable energy production and storage, transportation, and urban trees may promote infrastructure development that would involve small-scale construction. Construction of projects implemented in accordance with the CAAP could result in erosion and potential changes to drainage patterns. However, as described in Section 7, Geology and Soils, and Section 10, Hydrology and Water Quality, CAAP projects would be required to comply with local, State, and federal requirements during construction that would control stormwater runoff, erosion, and potential impacts to the stormwater drainage system. In addition, CAAP Measure CS-1 would support the planting of urban trees and development of new greenspace and natural areas, which would increase permeable surfaces throughout the City, improving water infiltration and stormwater management. Therefore, no impact related to construction or expansion of stormwater drainage facilities and infrastructure would occur.

Electric Power Facilities/Infrastructure
Electric power service in the City is provided by MCE using transmission infrastructure operated and maintained by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). CAAP Measures BE-1, BE-2, and BE-3 promote building electrification of new and existing buildings, energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings, and energy efficient buildings for future development. CAAP Measure BE-5 aims to increase the use of 59 Pinole, City of. 2018. Wastewater Treatment Plant.
https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/public_works/wastewater_treatment_plant#:~:text=In%201972%20the%20plant%20was,fl ow%20of%203.5%20million%20gallons. (Accessed February 2024) 60 Pinole, City of. 2018. Wastewater Collection. https://www.ci.pinole.ca.us/city_government/public_works/wastewater_collection (Accessed February 2024)

Environmental Checklist
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 123
renewable energy in the City, while Measure BE-6 supports installation of small-scale renewable energy systems and battery storage to provide greener renewable electricity within the City. In addition, CAAP Measures TR-4 and TR-5 encourage new EV infrastructure throughout the City.

These CAAP measures may slightly alter electricity demand within Pinole. However, the CAAP would serve as a pathway to reduce GHG emissions, including emissions related to energy consumption, and other beneficial environmental and sustainability effects. These benefits include a reduction in energy consumption and increase in renewable energy production. Therefore, the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to construction, expansion, or relocation of electric power facilities and infrastructure.

Natural Gas Power Facilities/Infrastructure
PG&E provides natural gas services to the City. The CAAP would not involve new land uses that require new or additional natural gas services that could require the construction of new or expanded natural gas facilities. CAAP Measures BE-1, BE-2, and BE-3 would encourage building electrification in new and existing buildings to reduce natural gas consumption within the City.

Implementation of these measures could involve minor alterations to existing natural gas infrastructure as natural gas use is reduced. However, the CAAP would serve as a pathway to reduce GHG emissions, including emissions related to natural gas consumption, and other beneficial environmental and sustainability effects. These benefits include a reduction in natural gas consumption. Therefore, the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to construction, expansion, or relocation of natural gas facilities and infrastructure.

Telecommunications Facilities/Infrastructure
The City is served by existing telecommunications companies such as AT&T and Xfinity. The CAAP would not alter existing telecommunications facilities and infrastructure and would not involve new land uses or development that would require new telecommunications infrastructure. Therefore, the CAAP would result in no impact related to the need for construction or expansion of telecommunication facilities and infrastructure.
b. Would the project have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry and multiple dry years? c. Would the project result in a determination by the wastewater treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments?
Water supply is addressed in the EBMUD UWMP, which is a long-range planning document used to assess current and projected water usage, water supply planning, and conservation and recycling efforts. According to the UWMP, EBMUD has analyzed four different hydrological conditions to determine the reliability of water supplies: normal water year, single dry year, second dry year, and third dry year. The UWMP indicates that water supplies under the average/normal year conditions will be sufficient to meet demand through 2040. In addition, the UWMP includes a Water Shortage Contingency Plan.61 The CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is a guidance document and does not propose development or changes to land use and zoning. Thus, implementation of the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in construction or operational impacts related to water supplies or wastewater. The CAAP is a policy-level document that does not include site-specific 61 EBMUD. Water Shortage Contingency Plan 2020. https://www.ebmud.com/water/about-your-water/water-supply/urban-watermanagement-plan (accessed January 2024)

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 124
infrastructure designs or project proposals, nor does it grant entitlements for development that would have the potential to increase demand for water supply or wastewater treatment. Rather the CAAP contains measures and actions to reduce water use, such as Measure W-1, which encourages a reduction of water consumption of 10 percent by 2030, that would reduce water demand and wastewater production. Thus, the CAAP would result in no impact related to water supply and wastewater treatment.
d. Would the project generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals?
e. Would the project comply with federal, State, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste?
Republic Services provides solid waste services within the City. Municipal solid waste generated in Pinole is primarily disposed of at the Keller Canyon Landfill In Bay Point. The Keller Canyon Landfill has a maximum permitted throughput of 3,5000 tons per day of solid waste per day and has a remaining capacity of 63,408,410 cubic yards.62
The CAAP focuses on sustainable infrastructure development and does not include land use or other policy changes that would result in increased residential, commercial, or other development that would increase solid waste generation within the City. CAAP Measures SW-1, SW-2, and SW-3 seek to reduce the amount of waste produced within the City by reducing consumption and implementing sustainable waste programs. These CAAP measures align with federal, State, and local regulations aimed at reducing solid waste disposal and increasing organic waste diversion, such as SB 1383. Additionally, because the CAAP is a policy document that would not facilitate growth beyond that anticipated by the 2040 General Plan, it would not generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards. Therefore, the CAAP would result in no impact related to solid waste.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Pinole’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth could result in increases in population and additional use of or need for utilities and service systems. However, implementation of the CAAP and related infrastructure projects would not contribute to increases in population or induce additional population growth that would require additional use of existing City utilities or service systems.

Rather, implementation of the CAAP would result in reduced energy and water consumption and solid waste and wastewater production. Therefore, implementation of the CAAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to utilities and service systems. 62 California Department of Resources Recovery and Recycling (CalRecycle). 2023. SWIS Facility/Site Activity Details: Keller Canyon Landfill. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/SolidWaste/SiteActivity/Details/4407?siteID=228 (accessed February 2024).

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Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 125
20 Wildfire
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact No Impact
If located in or near state responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project:
a. Substantially impair an adopted
emergency response plan or emergency
evacuation plan? □ □ □ ■
b. Due to slope, prevailing winds, and other
factors, exacerbate wildfire risks and
thereby expose project occupants to
pollutant concentrations from a wildfire
or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire? □ □ □ ■
c. Require the installation or maintenance
of associated infrastructure (such as
roads, fuel breaks, emergency water
sources, power lines or other utilities)
that may exacerbate fire risk or that may
result in temporary or ongoing impacts
to the environment? □ □ □ ■
d. Expose people or structures to significant
risks, including downslopes or
downstream flooding or landslides, as a
result of runoff, post-fire slope instability,
or drainage changes? □ □ □ ■
a. If located in or near State responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project substantially impair an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan?
b. If located in or near State responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project due to slope, prevailing winds, and other factors, exacerbate wildfire risks and thereby expose project occupants to pollutant concentrations from a wildfire or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire?
c. If located in or near State responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project require the installation or maintenance of associated infrastructure (such as roads, fuel breaks, emergency water sources, power lines or other utilities) that may exacerbate fire risk or that may result in temporary or ongoing impacts to the environment?

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 126
d. If located in or near State responsibility areas or lands classified as very high fire hazard severity zones, would the project expose people or structures to significant risks, including downslopes or downstream flooding or landslides, as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes?
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the portion of the City that has the greatest fire risk is on the periphery of the eastern side and the fire hazard severity zones are located south of Pinole Valley Road in the open space area. 63 ,
64Though there are areas in Pinole
that are at risk of wildfires, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds are policy-level documents that do not propose new residential, commercial, or institutional development that could be at risk from wildfire, nor do they grant entitlements for development that would have the potential to directly cause wildfire. The CAAP actions would generally apply to the urbanized areas of Pinole with little application to parks, open space areas, or other locations where wildland fire risk exists. Additionally, CAAP Measure WF-1 would help to reduce community vulnerability to wildfires by enforcing defensible space and home hardening standards to mitigate structure ignitions from wind blow embers. Specifically, Measure WF-1 includes actions to conduct a feasibility study and if recommended, amend the Pinole Building Code to require best-practice Ignition Resistant Construction methods for new construction and substantial redevelopment in the wildfire hazard zone. Measure WF-1 also includes an action to prepare, adopt, and fully implement a Vegetation Management Plan for high-fire risk areas. Thus, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in no impact related to wildfire.

Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, and housing forecasts identified in the CAAP, calculated using Pinole-specific values from Plan Bay Area 2040 for 2015 and applying local and regional growth expected between 2015-2050 from Plan Bay Area 2050 (refer to Table 5).

As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. The CAAP does not include new habitable development that could be at risk from wildfire, nor does it grant entitlements for development that would have the potential to cause wildfire.

Rather, implementation of the CAAP measures would reduce and mitigate the effects of climate change, including wildfire. Therefore, the CAAP would result in no cumulative impact related to wildfire.
63 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 2023. State Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones. https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/-/media/OSFM%20Website/What%20We%20Do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazardseverity-zones/fire-hazard-severity-zones-map-2022/fire-hazard-severity-zones-maps-2022- Files/fhsz_county_sra_11x17_2022_contracosta_2 (accessed January 2024). 64 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 2008. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in LRA. https://34c031f8-c9fd-4018- 8c5a-4159cdff6b0d-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/osfm-website/what-we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-andmitigation/fire-hazard-severity-zones/fire-hazard-severity-zones-map/upload-4/pinole.pdf (accessed February 2024).

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Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 127
21 Mandatory Findings of Significance
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less-thanSignificant
Impact
No
Impact
Does the project:
a. Have the potential to substantially degrade
the quality of the environment,
substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or
wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife
population to drop below self-sustaining
levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or
animal community, substantially reduce
the number or restrict the range of a rare
or endangered plant or animal or eliminate
important examples of the major periods
of California history or prehistory? □ □ ■ □
b. Have impacts that are individually limited,
but cumulatively considerable?
(“Cumulatively considerable” means that
the incremental effects of a project are
considerable when viewed in connection
with the effects of past projects, the effects
of other current projects, and the effects of
probable future projects)? □ □ ■ □
c. Have environmental effects which will
cause substantial adverse effects on
human beings, either directly or indirectly? □ □ ■ □
a. Does the project have the potential to substantially degrade the quality of the environment, substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drop below self-sustaining levels, threaten to eliminate a plant or animal community, substantially reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare or endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of the major periods of California history or prehistory? The intent of the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds is to reduce GHG emissions from community operations while increasing community resilience to climate change through implementation of measures and actions related to energy use, water consumption, waste reduction, transportation, solid waste, carbon sequestration, community adaptation and resilience, flood control, sea level rise, extreme heat, wildfire, and municipal operations. The CAAP measures and actions are consistent with the General Plan and encourage residents, businesses, and the municipal facilities to reduce energy and water use, fuel use, VMT, and solid waste generation and the associated GHG emissions. The CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not facilitate development that would eliminate or threaten wildlife habitats or eliminate important examples of

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Climate Action and Adaptation Plan and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds 128
the major periods of California history or prehistory. Therefore, as discussed in more detail in Section 4, Biological Resources, Section 5, Cultural Resources, and Section 18, Tribal Cultural Resources, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to biological and cultural resources.
b. Does the project have impacts that are individually limited, but cumulatively considerable? (“Cumulatively considerable” means that the incremental effects of a project are considerable when viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects)?
As a guidance document, the CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result in cumulative impacts. Implementation of the CAAP would result in a cumulatively beneficial reduction of GHG and air pollutant emissions across the City. In addition, as discussed throughout the respective cumulative impacts discussions within this document, the CAAP would not result in significant cumulative impacts. Rather, implementation of the CAAP would be consistent with Pinole’s General Plan policies aimed at reducing GHGs emissions and air pollutants, reducing VMT, reducing energy and water supply demands on utilities, and decreasing solid waste generation. Therefore, the CAAP would result in an overall less-than-significant cumulative impact related to all CEQA topics addressed within this document.
c. Does the project have environmental effects which will cause substantial adverse effects on human beings, either directly or indirectly?
In general, impacts to human beings are associated with air quality, GHG emissions and climate change, hazards and hazardous materials, noise, transportation, and wildfire impacts. As detailed in the preceding sections, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would not result, either directly or indirectly, in substantial adverse effects related to air quality, GHG emissions, hazards, noise, transportation, or wildfire. As discussed in more detail in Section 3, Air Quality, Section 13, Noise, and Section 17, Transportation, the CAAP could cause temporary construction impacts related to transportation, air quality, and noise that could, in turn, affect human beings but would not result in substantial adverse effects. In addition, as discussed throughout this document, the CAAP would serve as a pathway to reduce operational GHG emissions and would result in other positive environmental and sustainability effects. These benefits include reduction in building energy and water consumption, VMT and traffic noise, and solid waste generation, as well as improved air quality and resilience to the effects of climate change and natural disasters. Therefore, the CAAP and CEQA GHG Emissions Thresholds would result in a less-than-significant impact related to potential for adverse effects on human beings.

References
Final Initial Study– Negative Declaration 129
References
Association of Bay Area Governments and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (ABAG-MTC). 2021. Plan Bay Area 2050. https://www.planbayarea.org/finalplan2050 (accessed November 2023).

Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). 2022. CEQA Thresholds for Evaluating the Significance of Climate Impacts from Land Use Projects and Plans. https://www.baaqmd.gov/~/media/files/planning-and-research/ceqa/ceqa-guidelines2022/appendix-b-thresholds-for-evaluating-significance-of-climate-impacts_finalpdf.pdf?la=en (accessed November 2023). ______. 2017. Air Quality Standards and Attainment Status. http://www.baaqmd.gov/research-anddata/air-quality-standards-and-attainment-status (accessed December 2023). ______. 2017. Final Clean Air Plan: Spare the Air Cool the Climate: A Blueprint for Clean Air and Climate Protection in the Bay Area. Final 2017 Clean Air Plan. https://www.baaqmd.gov/plans-and-climate/air-quality-plans/current-plans (accessed December 2023).

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California Air Resources Board and California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). 2009.

Environmental Health and Equity Impacts from Climate Change and Mitigation Policies in California: A Review of the Literature.
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California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2023. SB 375 Regional Plan Climate Targets. Available:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/sustainable-communities-program/regionalplan-targets (accessed November 2023).