City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Safety. The purpose of safety compatibility policies is to minimize risks to the public in the event of an aircraft accident or emergency landing outside airport boundaries. Strategies to minimize risk include the following:
• Reduce concentrations of land use by limiting residential densities and non-residential intensities that attract people in locations most susceptible to an off-airport aircraft accident
• Prohibit certain risk-sensitives uses, such as schools and hospitals, and aboveground storage of flammable or hazardous materials regardless of the number of people involved Airspace Protection. The purpose of airspace protection compatibility policies is to ensure that structures and other uses of the land do not cause hazards to aircraft in flight within the airport vicinity. Strategies to minimize risk include the following:
• Comply with standards set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations Part 77 and determination from the FAA that the object would not be hazard • Comply with the minimum separation criteria for land use practices that have the potential to attract wildlife that could be hazardous to aircraft in the vicinity of airports • Minimize land use characteristics that create visual or electronic interference (i.e., lights, glare/night smoke, dust, steam) with aircraft navigation or communication Overflight. The purpose of overflight compatibility policies is to help notify people about the presence of overflights near airports so that they can make informed decisions regarding acquisition or leasing property in the affected areas. Noise, vibration, fuel vapors, and particulate deposits from aircraft overflights, especially by comparatively low-altitude aircraft, can be intrusive and annoying in locations beyond the limits of the mapped noise contours. Strategies to address overflight annoyance include the following:
• An overflight notice indicating that the property is within an area that is routinely subject to overflights by aircraft using Gillespie Field and residents may experience inconvenience, annoyance, or discomfort arising from such operations.
• California state law requires that, as part of many residential estate transactions, information be disclosed regarding whether the property is situated within an Airport Influence Area.
4.8 Disaster Preparedness
The role of government in a disaster—whether it is local, regional, state or federal government— is the preservation of life and property. The following programs and plans are developed to assist with emergency operations and to reduce the risk from natural and human-made hazards.
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
Gov. Code, Section 8607(a), directs Cal OES to prepare a SEMS program, which sets forth measures by which a jurisdiction should handle emergency disasters. The program is intended to effectively manage multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies in California. SEMS consists of five Safety. The purpose of safety compatibility policies is to minimize risks to the public in the event of an aircraft accident or emergency landing outside airport boundaries. Strategies to minimize risk include the following:
e Reduce concentrations of land use by limiting residential densities and non-residential intensities that attract people in locations most susceptible to an off-airport aircraft accident
e Prohibit certain risk-sensitives uses, such as schools and hospitals, and aboveground storage of flammable or hazardous materials regardless of the number of people involved Airspace Protection. The purpose of airspace protection compatibility policies is to ensure that structures and other uses of the land do not cause hazards to aircraft in flight within the airport vicinity. Strategies to minimize risk include the following:
e Comply with standards set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations Part 77 and determination from the FAA that the object would not be hazard e Comply with the minimum separation criteria for land use practices that have the potential to attract wildlife that could be hazardous to aircraft in the vicinity of airports e Minimize land use characteristics that create visual or electronic interference (i.e., lights, glare/night smoke, dust, steam) with aircraft navigation or communication Overflight. The purpose of overflight compatibility policies is to help notify people about the presence of overflights near airports so that they can make informed decisions regarding acquisition or leasing property in the affected areas. Noise, vibration, fuel vapors, and particulate deposits from aircraft overflights, especially by comparatively low-altitude aircraft, can be intrusive and annoying in locations beyond the limits of the mapped noise contours. Strategies to address overflight annoyance include the following:
e An overflight notice indicating that the property is within an area that is routinely subject to overflights by aircraft using Gillespie Field and residents may experience inconvenience, annoyance, or discomfort arising from such operations.
e California state law requires that, as part of many residential estate transactions, information be disclosed regarding whether the property is situated within an Airport Influence Area.
4.8 Disaster Preparedness
The role of government in a disaster—whether it is local, regional, state or federal government— is the preservation of life and property. The following programs and plans are developed to assist with emergency operations and to reduce the risk from natural and human-made hazards.
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
Gov. Code, Section 8607(a), directs Cal OES to prepare a SEMS program, which sets forth measures by which a jurisdiction should handle emergency disasters. The program is intended to effectively manage multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional emergencies in California. SEMS consists of five
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
organizational levels, which are activated as necessary: (1) field response, (2) local government, (3) operational area, (4) regional, and (5) state. Local governments must use the SEMS to be eligible for funding of their response-related personnel costs under state disaster assistance programs. The City has adopted an Emergency Operation Plan consistent with the SEMS. The plan addresses the planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural and human-caused disasters and describes the overall responsibilities of government entities, as well as the Santee Emergency Management Organization for protecting life and property in Santee.
County of San Diego Office of Disaster Preparedness and Recovery The County of San Diego Office of Disaster Preparednessis the liaison between incorporated cities, Cal OES, and FEMA, as well as non-governmental agencies such as the American Red Cross. The Office of Disaster Preparedness ensures the preparation and execution of emergency plans in the event of a major emergency or disaster within the San Diego County area. It is important to note that the Office of Disaster Preparedness is not a response agency but rather serves to ensure coordination of efforts among County departments, cities, special districts, and other agencies in San Diego County, as well with the state and federal agencies.
Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization Santee is one of 20 jurisdictions that support and participate in the Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization. The Emergency Services Organization, which is composed of the 18 incorporated cities in the county, the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, provides coordination of disaster response and recovery activities. The organization operates under a Joint Powers Agreement that provides for cooperation and coordination between member jurisdictions.
County of San Diego 2023 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan The purpose of the County’s 2023 MJHMP is to identify the county’s hazards, review and assess past disaster occurrences, estimate the probability of future occurrences, and set goals to mitigate potential risks to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural and human-made hazards. An important component of the County’s 2023 MJHMP is the CERT, which educates community members about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. The City is a participating jurisdiction in the County’s 2023 MJHMP and helped the County prepare the City’s chapter of the MJHMP.
County of San Diego Emergency Operations Plan
The County’s Emergency Operations Plan describes a comprehensive emergency management system that provides for a planned response to disaster situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, terrorism, and nuclear-related incidents. It delineates operational concepts relating to various emergency situations, identifies components of the Emergency Management Organization, and describes the overall responsibilities for protecting life organizational levels, which are activated as necessary: (1) field response, (2) local government, (3) operational area, (4) regional, and (5) state. Local governments must use the SEMS to be eligible for funding of their response-related personnel costs under state disaster assistance programs. The City has adopted an Emergency Operation Plan consistent with the SEMS. The plan addresses the planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural and human-caused disasters and describes the overall responsibilities of government entities, as well as the Santee Emergency Management Organization for protecting life and property in Santee.
County of San Diego Office of Disaster Preparedness and Recovery The County of San Diego Office of Disaster Preparedness is the liaison between incorporated cities, Cal OES, and FEMA, as well as non-governmental agencies such as the American Red Cross. The Office of Disaster Preparedness ensures the preparation and execution of emergency plans in the event of a major emergency or disaster within the San Diego County area. It is important to note that the Office of Disaster Preparedness is not a response agency but rather serves to ensure coordination of efforts among County departments, cities, special districts, and other agencies in San Diego County, as well with the state and federal agencies.
Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization Santee is one of 20 jurisdictions that support and participate in the Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization. The Emergency Services Organization, which is composed of the 18 incorporated cities in the county, the County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services, and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, provides coordination of disaster response and recovery activities. The organization operates under a Joint Powers Agreement that provides for cooperation and coordination between member jurisdictions.
County of San Diego 2023 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan The purpose of the County’s 2023 MJHMP is to identify the county’s hazards, review and assess past disaster occurrences, estimate the probability of future occurrences, and set goals to mitigate potential risks to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural and human-made hazards. An important component of the County’s 2023 MJHMP is the CERT, which educates community members about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations. The City is a participating jurisdiction in the County’s 2023 MJHMP and helped the County prepare the City’s chapter of the MJHMP.
County of San Diego Emergency Operations Plan
The County’s Emergency Operations Plan describes a comprehensive emergency management system that provides for a planned response to disaster situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, terrorism, and nuclear-related incidents. It delineates operational concepts relating to various emergency situations, identifies components of the Emergency Management Organization, and describes the overall responsibilities for protecting life
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
and property and ensuring the overall well-being of the population. The plan also identifies the sources of outside support that might be provided (through mutual aid and specific statutory authorities) by other jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, and the private sector.
First responders are responsible for determining initial protective actions before the EOC, and emergency management personnel have an opportunity to convene and gain situational awareness. Initial protective actions are shared and communicated to local EOCs and necessary support agencies as soon as possible to ensure an effective, coordinated evacuation. During an evacuation effort, the designated County Evacuation Coordinator is the County Sheriff, who is also the Law Enforcement Coordinator. The County Evacuation Coordinator would be assisted by other law enforcement and support agencies.
Santee Emergency Operations Plan
The Santee Emergency Operations Plan was adopted in June 2010 and developed from the 2010 San Diego County Operational Area Emergency Plan. This plan was prepared to ensure the most effective and economic allocation of resources for the maximum benefit and protection of the community in time of emergency. The objective of the plan is to incorporate and coordinate City facilities and personnel into an efficient organization capable of responding to any emergency.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The City of Santee EOC is at Santee City Hall and is integral in the coordination of successful response and recovery operations. The EOC serves in support of the incident commander and field responders.
With centralized decision-making, personnel and other resources can be use more effectively.
Coordination of activities through the EOC ensures that all tasks are accomplished with little or no duplication of effort and with the highest probability of success. Day-to-day operations are conducted by departments and agencies throughout Santee. When a major emergency or disaster occurs, the EOC provides the centralized management needed to facilitate a coordinated response.
Summary of Needs to Address Disaster Preparedness
The update of the Santee Emergency Operations Plan is an ongoing process by which the City maintains an adequate level of public safety. The City also has implemented procedures to initiate a coordinated EOC in the event of a significant natural or human-induced disaster. The City should continue to provide annual training to critical personnel to improve effectiveness in the event of an actual disaster.
4.9 Hazardous Materials
A hazardous material is any liquid or solid substance that poses a threat to human health and safety or to the environment if improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of. Hazardous materials that are commonly used in households and businesses include but are not limited to lawncare and gardening products, antifreeze, batteries, gasoline, motor oil, electronic devices, household cleaners, and paint. These materials may be disposed at the Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility operated by Waste Management in the City of El Cajon at no cost. and property and ensuring the overall well-being of the population. The plan also identifies the sources of outside support that might be provided (through mutual aid and specific statutory authorities) by other jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, and the private sector.
First responders are responsible for determining initial protective actions before the EOC, and emergency management personnel have an opportunity to convene and gain situational awareness. Initial protective actions are shared and communicated to local EOCs and necessary support agencies as soon as possible to ensure an effective, coordinated evacuation. During an evacuation effort, the designated County Evacuation Coordinator is the County Sheriff, who is also the Law Enforcement Coordinator. The County Evacuation Coordinator would be assisted by other law enforcement and support agencies.
Santee Emergency Operations Plan
The Santee Emergency Operations Plan was adopted in June 2010 and developed from the 2010 San Diego County Operational Area Emergency Plan. This plan was prepared to ensure the most effective and economic allocation of resources for the maximum benefit and protection of the community in time of emergency. The objective of the plan is to incorporate and coordinate City facilities and personnel into an efficient organization capable of responding to any emergency.
Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The City of Santee EOC is at Santee City Hall and is integral in the coordination of successful response and recovery operations. The EOC serves in support of the incident commander and field responders.
With centralized decision-making, personnel and other resources can be use more effectively.
Coordination of activities through the EOC ensures that all tasks are accomplished with little or no duplication of effort and with the highest probability of success. Day-to-day operations are conducted by departments and agencies throughout Santee. When a major emergency or disaster occurs, the EOC provides the centralized management needed to facilitate a coordinated response.
Summary of Needs to Address Disaster Preparedness
The update of the Santee Emergency Operations Plan is an ongoing process by which the City maintains an adequate level of public safety. The City also has implemented procedures to initiate a coordinated EOC in the event of a significant natural or human-induced disaster. The City should continue to provide annual training to critical personnel to improve effectiveness in the event of an actual disaster.
4.9 Hazardous Materials
A hazardous material is any liquid or solid substance that poses a threat to human health and safety or to the environment if improperly treated, stored, transported, or disposed of. Hazardous materials that are commonly used in households and businesses include but are not limited to lawncare and gardening products, antifreeze, batteries, gasoline, motor oil, electronic devices, household cleaners, and paint. These materials may be disposed at the Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection facility operated by Waste Management in the City of El Cajon at no cost.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Hazardous material incident management is the responsibility of the Santee Fire Department. The City also belongs to the San Diego County Joint Powers Authority Hazardous Materials Response Team, which responds to assist with major incidents.
Hazardous materials sites in Santee include EnviroStor cleanup sites as identified and regulated by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) shown in Table 4.4, City of Santee EnviroStor Cleanup Sites.
Table 4.4. City of Santee EnviroStor Cleanup Sites
Facility Name Address Program Type Status
Coneen Property 8656 Cuyamaca Street Evaluation Refer: 1248 Local Agency
Dave’s Auto Service 10438 Mission Gorge
Road
State
Response
Certified
El Capitan Quarry/El Cajon
Mtn Mill Site
16820 El Monte Road State
Response
Certified
Ketema Process Equipment
Co., C/O Baker Process
9484 Mission Park Place Tiered Permit No Action Required Marine Parachute School La
Mesa
In El Cajon, about 12
miles northeast of
Downtown San Diego
Military
Evaluation
No Further Action
Montes Metal Finishing 10039 Prospect Avenue,
K
Tiered Permit No Further Action
Quiroz Recycling 8514 Mast Avenue,
Suite B
Inspection No Action
Santee Army Camp — Military
Evaluation
Inactive – Needs
Evaluation
Federal, state, and local laws are designed to regulate the production, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials (refer to Section 3). These laws and the agencies that enforce hazardous materials compliance are described below.
Federal
Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act (7 CFR 331; 9 CFR 121) The Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act requires that entities that possess, use, or transfer agents or toxins deemed a severe threat to animal or plant health or products must notify and register with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has been designated by the Secretary as the agency for implementing the provisions of the law for the USDA. Anyone using these agents on the project site are required to register with the USDA.
Hazardous material incident management is the responsibility of the Santee Fire Department. The City also belongs to the San Diego County Joint Powers Authority Hazardous Materials Response Team, which responds to assist with major incidents.
Hazardous materials sites in Santee include EnviroStor cleanup sites as identified and regulated by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) shown in Table 4.4, City of Santee EnviroStor Cleanup Sites.
Table 4.4. City of Santee EnviroStor Cleanup Sites
Facility Name Address Program Type | Status
Coneen Property 8656 Cuyamaca Street Evaluation Refer: 1248 Local Agency
Dave’s Auto Service 10438 Mission Gorge State Certified Road Response
El Capitan Quarry/El Cajon | 16820 El Monte Road State Certified Mtn Mill Site Response
Ketema Process Equipment
Co., C/O Baker Process
9484 Mission Park Place Tiered Permit No Action Required Marine Parachute School La
Mesa
In El Cajon, about 12
miles northeast of
Downtown San Diego
Military
Evaluation
No Further Action
Montes Metal Finishing 10039 Prospect Avenue,
K
Tiered Permit No Further Action
Quiroz Recycling 8514 Mast Avenue, Inspection No Action Suite B
Santee Army Camp _ Military Inactive — Needs
Evaluation Evaluation
Federal, state, and local laws are designed to regulate the production, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials (refer to Section 3). These laws and the agencies that enforce hazardous materials compliance are described below.
Federal
Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act (7 CFR 331; 9 CFR 121) The Agricultural Bioterrorism Protection Act requires that entities that possess, use, or transfer agents or toxins deemed a severe threat to animal or plant health or products must notify and register with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has been designated by the Secretary as the agency for implementing the provisions of the law for the USDA. Anyone using these agents on the project site are required to register with the USDA.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (40 CFR 152–186) The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act provided the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) with authority of pesticide labeling and establishing standards for certification of restricted pesticide application. The USEPA also has the authority to delegate pesticide enforcement authority to states by entering into cooperative agreements with state pesticide programs. Since 1975, California has had primary authority over pesticide enforcement in the state.
The USEPA uses its authority under the act to regulate the distribution, sale, use, and testing of plants and microbes producing pesticidal substances. The act’s regulations would apply to any pesticide use by farm workers or handlers.
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 USC 5101–5127) The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act was enacted to protect against the risks to life, property, and the environment that are inherent in the transportation of hazardous material in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce. The U.S. Department of Transportation receives the authority to regulate the transportation of hazardous materials from the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (40 CFR 239–282) Enacted in 1976, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the primary federal law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste in the United States. The RCRA was amended and strengthened by Congress in 1984 with the passing of the federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments. These amendments to the RCRA required phasing out land disposal of hazardous waste. The RCRA has been amended on two occasions since the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments were passed: in 1992, with the passage of federal Facility Compliance Act, which strengthened enforcement of the RCRA at federal facilities, and in 1996, with the passage of the Land Disposal Program Flexibility Act, which provided regulatory flexibility for land disposal of certain wastes. Under the RCRA, individual states may implement their own hazardous waste programs in lieu of the RCRA if the state program is at least as stringent as the federal RCRA requirements and is approved by the USEPA. The preferred land use plan with schools includes the potential that a school could be within the boundaries of a project site that could generate hazardous materials waste.
State
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
The USEPA enacts laws covering minimum pesticide requirements that are enforced at the state level through cooperative agreements. Over the years, the California Legislature has passed more stringent laws covering pesticide registration, licensing, the sale and use of pesticides, and worker protection. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is responsible for regulating pesticide use in California. The best way to solve a pesticide-related problem often combines regulatory action Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (40 CFR 152-186) The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act provided the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) with authority of pesticide labeling and establishing standards for certification of restricted pesticide application. The USEPA also has the authority to delegate pesticide enforcement authority to states by entering into cooperative agreements with state pesticide programs. Since 1975, California has had primary authority over pesticide enforcement in the state.
The USEPA uses its authority under the act to regulate the distribution, sale, use, and testing of plants and microbes producing pesticidal substances. The act’s regulations would apply to any pesticide use by farm workers or handlers.
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 USC 5101-5127) The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act was enacted to protect against the risks to life, property, and the environment that are inherent in the transportation of hazardous material in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce. The U.S. Department of Transportation receives the authority to regulate the transportation of hazardous materials from the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (40 CFR 239-282) Enacted in 1976, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the primary federal law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste in the United States. The RCRA was amended and strengthened by Congress in 1984 with the passing of the federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments. These amendments to the RCRA required phasing out land disposal of hazardous waste. The RCRA has been amended on two occasions since the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments were passed: in 1992, with the passage of federal Facility Compliance Act, which strengthened enforcement of the RCRA at federal facilities, and in 1996, with the passage of the Land Disposal Program Flexibility Act, which provided regulatory flexibility for land disposal of certain wastes. Under the RCRA, individual states may implement their own hazardous waste programs in lieu of the RCRA if the state program is at least as stringent as the federal RCRA requirements and is approved by the USEPA. The preferred land use plan with schools includes the potential that a school could be within the boundaries of a project site that could generate hazardous materials waste.
State
California Department of Pesticide Regulation
The USEPA enacts laws covering minimum pesticide requirements that are enforced at the state level through cooperative agreements. Over the years, the California Legislature has passed more stringent laws covering pesticide registration, licensing, the sale and use of pesticides, and worker protection. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is responsible for regulating pesticide use in California. The best way to solve a pesticide-related problem often combines regulatory action
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
and voluntary adoption of improved pest management methods. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has a legal mandate to encourage the use of environmentally sound pest management, including integrated pest management. Many California Department of Pesticide Regulation programs stress a least-toxic approach to pest management and promote risk reduction through information, encouragement, incentives, and community-based problem solving.
California Fire Code (24 CCR 9)
The California Fire Code contains regulations consistent with nationally recognized accepted practices for safeguarding, to a reasonable degree, life and property from the hazards of the following: fire and explosion, hazardous conditions in the use or occupancy of buildings or premises, and dangerous conditions arising from the storage, handling, and use of hazardous materials and devices. It also contains provisions to assist emergency response personnel. The California Fire Code and the CBC use a hazard classification system to determine what protective measures are required to protect fire and life safety. These measures may include construction standards, separations from property lines, and specialized equipment.
Environmental Health Standards for the Management of Hazardous Waste Law (22 CCR 66261.20–24)
The Environmental Health Standards for the Management of Hazardous Waste Law contains technical descriptions of characteristics that would classify wasted material, including soil, as hazardous waste. Specifically, a waste is considered hazardous if it is toxic (causes human health effects), ignitable (can burn), corrosive (causes severe burns or damage to materials), or reactive (causes explosions or generates toxic gases) in accordance with the criteria established in Article
3. Article 4 lists specific hazardous wastes, and Article 5 identifies specific waste categories, including RCRA hazardous wastes, non-RCRA hazardous wastes, extremely hazardous wastes, and special wastes. When excavated, soils with concentrations of contaminants higher than certain acceptable levels must be handled and disposed of as hazardous waste. When demolished, structural features containing lead-based paint also can be considered hazardous waste, depending on concentrations, and must be handled and disposed of as hazardous waste.
General Industry Safety Orders – Control of Hazardous Substances Law (CCR Title 8, Subchapter 7, Group 16, Article 109, Sections 5160–5199) The Control of Hazardous Substances Law establishes minimum standards for the use, handling, and storage of hazardous materials in all places of employment. Article 109 describes requirements including but not limited to emergency equipment in the workplace, measures to protect those engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals, cleanup operations or hazardous substance removal work, and processes for safety management practices. School site employees working with regulated chemicals and/or hazardous materials within laboratories and other facilities defined in Article 109 are subject to compliance with California Code of Regulations. Title 8. and voluntary adoption of improved pest management methods. The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has a legal mandate to encourage the use of environmentally sound pest management, including integrated pest management. Many California Department of Pesticide Regulation programs stress a least-toxic approach to pest management and promote risk reduction through information, encouragement, incentives, and community-based problem solving.
California Fire Code (24 CCR 9)
The California Fire Code contains regulations consistent with nationally recognized accepted practices for safeguarding, to a reasonable degree, life and property from the hazards of the following: fire and explosion, hazardous conditions in the use or occupancy of buildings or premises, and dangerous conditions arising from the storage, handling, and use of hazardous materials and devices. It also contains provisions to assist emergency response personnel. The California Fire Code and the CBC use a hazard classification system to determine what protective measures are required to protect fire and life safety. These measures may include construction standards, separations from property lines, and specialized equipment.
Environmental Health Standards for the Management of Hazardous Waste Law (22 CCR 66261.20-24)
The Environmental Health Standards for the Management of Hazardous Waste Law contains technical descriptions of characteristics that would classify wasted material, including soil, as hazardous waste. Specifically, a waste is considered hazardous if it is toxic (causes human health effects), ignitable (can burn), corrosive (causes severe burns or damage to materials), or reactive (causes explosions or generates toxic gases) in accordance with the criteria established in Article
3. Article 4 lists specific hazardous wastes, and Article 5 identifies specific waste categories, including RCRA hazardous wastes, non-RCRA hazardous wastes, extremely hazardous wastes, and special wastes. When excavated, soils with concentrations of contaminants higher than certain acceptable levels must be handled and disposed of as hazardous waste. When demolished, structural features containing lead-based paint also can be considered hazardous waste, depending on concentrations, and must be handled and disposed of as hazardous waste.
General Industry Safety Orders — Control of Hazardous Substances Law (CCR Title 8, Subchapter 7, Group 16, Article 109, Sections 5160-5199) The Control of Hazardous Substances Law establishes minimum standards for the use, handling, and storage of hazardous materials in all places of employment. Article 109 describes requirements including but not limited to emergency equipment in the workplace, measures to protect those engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals, cleanup operations or hazardous substance removal work, and processes for safety management practices. School site employees working with regulated chemicals and/or hazardous materials within laboratories and other facilities defined in Article 109 are subject to compliance with California Code of Regulations. Title 8.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory Act (Chapter 6.95, Section 25503.5, of the California Health and Safety Code) The Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory Act requires facilities that use, produce, store, generate, or have a change in business inventory of hazardous substances in quantities above certain limits to establish and implement a Hazardous Materials Management Plan or Business Plan. Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBPs) provide threshold quantities for regulated hazardous substances. When the indicated quantities are exceeded, an HMBP or Risk Management Program is required pursuant to the regulation. The Risk Management Program must disclose the type, quantity, and storage location of materials. The law also requires a sitespecific Emergency Response Plan, employee training, and designation of emergency contact personnel. Any facility on the project site that exceed threshold quantities would be subject to these requirements.
Hazardous Materials Transportation (CCR Title 13, Division 2, Chapter 6) The State of California adopted the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for the movement of hazardous materials by motor vehicle. In addition, the State of California regulates the transportation of hazardous waste originating in the state and passing through the state (California Code of Regulations, Title 26). Both regulatory programs apply in California. The state agency with primary responsibility for enforcing state hazardous materials transportation regulations and responding to hazardous materials transportation emergencies is the California Highway Patrol.
Underground Storage Tank Act (Chapter 6.7 of the California Health and Safety Code and CCR Title 23)
The Underground Storage Tank Monitoring and Response Program was developed to ensure that the facilities meet regulatory requirements for monitoring, maintenance, and emergency response in operating underground storage tanks. The County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality is the local administering agency for this program.
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
The DTSC is a public agency whose mission is to protect California’s people and environment from harmful effects of toxic substances by restoring contaminated resources, enforcing hazardous waste laws, reducing hazardous waste generation, and encouraging the manufacture of chemically safer products. The Hazardous Waste Tracking System is the DTSC’s data repository for hazardous waste manifest and ID number information. The DTSC relies on the Hazardous Waste Tracking System for issuing and tracking ID numbers, registering transporters, and providing information to analyze hazardous waste activities for policy purposes and enforcement. The system generates reports from 1993 to the present on hazardous waste shipments for generators, transporters, and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Additionally, EnviroStor is the DTSC’s online data management system for tracking cleanup, permitting, enforcement, and investigation efforts at hazardous waste facilities and sites with known or suspected contamination issues (Table 4.4).
Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory Act (Chapter 6.95, Section 25503.5, of the California Health and Safety Code) The Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory Act requires facilities that use, produce, store, generate, or have a change in business inventory of hazardous substances in quantities above certain limits to establish and implement a Hazardous Materials Management Plan or Business Plan. Hazardous Materials Business Plans (HMBPs) provide threshold quantities for regulated hazardous substances. When the indicated quantities are exceeded, an HMBP or Risk Management Program is required pursuant to the regulation. The Risk Management Program must disclose the type, quantity, and storage location of materials. The law also requires a sitespecific Emergency Response Plan, employee training, and designation of emergency contact personnel. Any facility on the project site that exceed threshold quantities would be subject to these requirements.
Hazardous Materials Transportation (CCR Title 13, Division 2, Chapter 6) The State of California adopted the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for the movement of hazardous materials by motor vehicle. In addition, the State of California regulates the transportation of hazardous waste originating in the state and passing through the state (California Code of Regulations, Title 26). Both regulatory programs apply in California. The state agency with primary responsibility for enforcing state hazardous materials transportation regulations and responding to hazardous materials transportation emergencies is the California Highway Patrol.
Underground Storage Tank Act (Chapter 6.7 of the California Health and Safety Code and CCR Title 23)
The Underground Storage Tank Monitoring and Response Program was developed to ensure that the facilities meet regulatory requirements for monitoring, maintenance, and emergency response in operating underground storage tanks. The County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality is the local administering agency for this program.
California Department of Toxic Substances Control
The DTSC is a public agency whose mission is to protect California’s people and environment from harmful effects of toxic substances by restoring contaminated resources, enforcing hazardous waste laws, reducing hazardous waste generation, and encouraging the manufacture of chemically safer products. The Hazardous Waste Tracking System is the DTSC’s data repository for hazardous waste manifest and ID number information. The DTSC relies on the Hazardous Waste Tracking System for issuing and tracking ID numbers, registering transporters, and providing information to analyze hazardous waste activities for policy purposes and enforcement. The system generates reports from 1993 to the present on hazardous waste shipments for generators, transporters, and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. Additionally, EnviroStor is the DTSC’s online data management system for tracking cleanup, permitting, enforcement, and investigation efforts at hazardous waste facilities and sites with known or suspected contamination issues (Table 4.4).
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
CalEPA was created in 1991 by Governor Pete Wilson by Executive Order W-5-91 to create a cabinet-level voice for the protection of human health and the environment and to ensure the coordinated deployment of state resources. The mission of CalEPA is to restore, protect, and enhance the environment to ensure public health, environmental quality, and economic vitality.
CalEPA and the State Water Resources Control Board establish rules governing the use of hazardous materials and the management of hazardous waste.
Also, as required by Gov. Code, Section 65962.5, CalEPA develops an annual update to the Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites (Cortese List), which is a planning document used by the state, local agencies, and developers to comply with California Environmental Quality Act requirements in providing information about the location of hazardous materials release sites. The DTSC is responsible for a portion of the information contained in the Cortese List. Other state and local government agencies are required to provide additional hazardous material release information for the Cortese List.
Regional
San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality The County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality Hazardous Materials Division is the Certified Unified Program Agency for Santee. The Unified Program’s goal is to achieve consistency, consolidation, and coordination in the regulation of six state-regulated environmental programs through education, community and industry outreach, inspections, and enforcement. A Certified Unified Program Agency is the agency responsible for the implementation and regulation of the Unified Program. All inspectors in the Certified Unified Program Agency program are trained environmental health specialists who take part in a continuous education program to ensure consistency and uniformity during inspections.
The Hazardous Materials Division of the County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality protects the health and safety of the public and the environment by ensuring that hazardous materials, hazardous waste, medical waste, and underground storage tanks are properly handled and stored. The Hazardous Materials Division assists regulated businesses in Santee in developing their business plans and developing an area plan for hazardous material emergency response coordination in Santee and San Diego County.
The County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality Health Hazardous Incident Response Team consists of 10 California State certified hazardous material specialists and is funded by a Joint Powers Agreement. The Hazardous Incident Response Team and the San Diego Fire and Life Safety Services Department investigate and mitigate chemically related emergencies or complaints. Emergency response activities include mitigation, containment, and control actions as well as hazard identification, evaluating the threat to local populations of the environment.
Santee falls under the jurisdiction of the San Diego County Hazardous Waste Management Plan,which is the primary planning document providing overall policy on hazardous waste management in the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
CalEPA was created in 1991 by Governor Pete Wilson by Executive Order W-5-91 to create a cabinet-level voice for the protection of human health and the environment and to ensure the coordinated deployment of state resources. The mission of CalEPA is to restore, protect, and enhance the environment to ensure public health, environmental quality, and economic vitality.
CalEPA and the State Water Resources Control Board establish rules governing the use of hazardous materials and the management of hazardous waste.
Also, as required by Gov. Code, Section 65962.5, CalEPA develops an annual update to the Hazardous Waste and Substances Sites (Cortese List), which is a planning document used by the state, local agencies, and developers to comply with California Environmental Quality Act requirements in providing information about the location of hazardous materials release sites. The DTSC is responsible for a portion of the information contained in the Cortese List. Other state and local government agencies are required to provide additional hazardous material release information for the Cortese List.
Regional!
San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and Quality The County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality Hazardous Materials Division is the Certified Unified Program Agency for Santee. The Unified Program’s goal is to achieve consistency, consolidation, and coordination in the regulation of six state-regulated environmental programs through education, community and industry outreach, inspections, and enforcement. A Certified Unified Program Agency is the agency responsible for the implementation and regulation of the Unified Program. All inspectors in the Certified Unified Program Agency program are trained environmental health specialists who take part in a continuous education program to ensure consistency and uniformity during inspections.
The Hazardous Materials Division of the County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality protects the health and safety of the public and the environment by ensuring that hazardous materials, hazardous waste, medical waste, and underground storage tanks are properly handled and stored. The Hazardous Materials Division assists regulated businesses in Santee in developing their business plans and developing an area plan for hazardous material emergency response coordination in Santee and San Diego County.
The County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality Health Hazardous Incident Response Team consists of 10 California State certified hazardous material specialists and is funded by a Joint Powers Agreement. The Hazardous Incident Response Team and the San Diego Fire and Life Safety Services Department investigate and mitigate chemically related emergencies or complaints. Emergency response activities include mitigation, containment, and control actions as well as hazard identification, evaluating the threat to local populations of the environment.
Santee falls under the jurisdiction of the San Diego County Hazardous Waste Management Plan, which is the primary planning document providing overall policy on hazardous waste management in the
City of Santee
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City of Santee
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county. The plan describes how San Diego County’s hazardous waste stream can be safely managed, and serves as the guide for local decisions regarding the management of hazardous wastes.
Santee also falls under the jurisdiction of the San Diego County HMBP. The purpose of the HMBP is to prevent or minimize damage to public health, safety, and the environment from a release or threatened release of a hazardous material at regulated facilities. The HMBP also provides emergency personnel with adequate information to help prepare and respond to chemical related incidents.
Summary of Needs to Address Hazardous Materials
As shown in Table 4.4, very few hazardous materials cleanup sites are in Santee and the majority of them do not require further action. The City should continue to provide residential curbside pick-up of waste automotive oil and filters and participate in the Household Hazardous Waste Program.
4.10 Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis
A variety of hazard scenarios could require an evacuation in parts of Santee. These emergency situations could be caused by either natural or human-made events, such as wildfires, floods, or geologic or seismic hazards. An Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis (Appendix B) was prepared to identify evacuation capacity and network connectivity in Santee in addition to meeting the requirements associated with the following legislative updates:
• AB 747 (2019) requires the City to update the Safety Element of its General Plan to identify evacuation routes and assess the capacity, safety, and viability of those routes under a range of emergency scenarios.
• SB 99 (2019) requires the City to identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (i.e., neighborhoods or households within a hazard area that have limited accessibility).
• AB 1409 (2021) requires the City to identify evacuation locations.
Evacuation route viability is largely determined by the location of the hazard. Three types of analysis (wildfire, flood, and earthquake) were done in the Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis.
Because Santee is surrounded by Very High FHSZs to the northeast, northwest, and southwest, the City considered three wildfire scenarios (a fire originating in the northeast, a fire originating in the northwest, and a fire originating in the southwest). Because there are flood zones in Santee, evacuation route viability is assessed for flood hazards. Lastly, due to the proximity of Earthquake Fault Zones to Santee, evacuation route viability is assessed for an earthquake event.
The results of the analysis indicate that residents closest to the northern region of the City center are most vulnerable to wildfire and flooding hazards given the distance they would need to travel to access an outbound road for evacuation. The analysis identified that residents closest to the southern and southwestern regions of Santee are most vulnerable to evacuation from earthquake hazards given the bridges they would need to traverse to access an outbound road (Appendix B).
The Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis identified potential vulnerabilities in Santee according to a GIS assessment that evaluates whether all residential parcels have at least two points of egress. Under the earthquake hazard scenario, which conservatively assumes bridges in Santee county. The plan describes how San Diego County’s hazardous waste stream can be safely managed, and serves as the guide for local decisions regarding the management of hazardous wastes.
Santee also falls under the jurisdiction of the San Diego County HMBP. The purpose of the HMBP is to prevent or minimize damage to public health, safety, and the environment from a release or threatened release of a hazardous material at regulated facilities. The HMBP also provides emergency personnel with adequate information to help prepare and respond to chemical related incidents.
Summary of Needs to Address Hazardous Materials
As shown in Table 4.4, very few hazardous materials cleanup sites are in Santee and the majority of them do not require further action. The City should continue to provide residential curbside pick-up of waste automotive oil and filters and participate in the Household Hazardous Waste Program.
4.10 Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis
A variety of hazard scenarios could require an evacuation in parts of Santee. These emergency situations could be caused by either natural or human-made events, such as wildfires, floods, or geologic or seismic hazards. An Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis (Appendix B) was prepared to identify evacuation capacity and network connectivity in Santee in addition to meeting the requirements associated with the following legislative updates:
e AB 747 (2019) requires the City to update the Safety Element of its General Plan to identify evacuation routes and assess the capacity, safety, and viability of those routes under a range of emergency scenarios.
e SB 99 (2019) requires the City to identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (i.e., neighborhoods or households within a hazard area that have limited accessibility).
e AB 1409 (2021) requires the City to identify evacuation locations.
Evacuation route viability is largely determined by the location of the hazard. Three types of analysis (wildfire, flood, and earthquake) were done in the Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis.
Because Santee is surrounded by Very High FHSZs to the northeast, northwest, and southwest, the City considered three wildfire scenarios (a fire originating in the northeast, a fire originating in the northwest, and a fire originating in the southwest). Because there are flood zones in Santee, evacuation route viability is assessed for flood hazards. Lastly, due to the proximity of Earthquake Fault Zones to Santee, evacuation route viability is assessed for an earthquake event.
The results of the analysis indicate that residents closest to the northern region of the City center are most vulnerable to wildfire and flooding hazards given the distance they would need to travel to access an outbound road for evacuation. The analysis identified that residents closest to the southern and southwestern regions of Santee are most vulnerable to evacuation from earthquake hazards given the bridges they would need to traverse to access an outbound road (Appendix B).
The Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis identified potential vulnerabilities in Santee according to a GIS assessment that evaluates whether all residential parcels have at least two points of egress. Under the earthquake hazard scenario, which conservatively assumes bridges in Santee
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City of Santee
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are not viable, residential parcels in the southern region of Santee do not have any viable evacuation routes and residential parcels in the southwestern region of Santee only have one viable evacuation route (Mission Gorge Road) (Appendix B).
Evacuation locations for Santee residents would be dependent on the type and location of hazardous event affecting Santee and would be determined by first responders on site during emergency situations. For example, if a wildfire occurs north of Santee, residents would be directed to evacuate to community centers and City buildings in the southern portion of Santee, such as the City of Santee Operations Center, or to areas south of Santee, such as El Cajon.
Evacuation locations would consist of places in Santee that residents are familiar with, such as parks, community centers, schools, libraries, City department buildings, or churches.
Section 5. Climate Adaptation and Resilience
In accordance with SB 379, the Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes a set of goals, policies, and objectives based on a Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A) identifying the risks that climate change poses to Santee and the specific assets (i.e., critical facilities) and populations at risk from climate change impacts.
5.1 What is Climate Adaptation and Resilience?
One of the most significant policy challenges of our time is to change how we plan, build, and sustain our societal and physical systems to become more resilient to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. As GHG emissions continue to rise, climate change effects will continue to accelerate. Even if global GHG emissions were to stop today, the climate would continue to change for some time as Earth’s system responds to the emissions already in the atmosphere. Climate adaptation planning involves anticipating the effects of climate change and proactively planning and shifting current practices now to minimize future economic and social risks.
Climate resilience is the ability and capacity to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to trends and events caused by climate change. Improving climate resilience involves assessing how climate change will create new or alter current climate-related risks and taking steps to better cope with these risks. These include severe weather, ocean warming and acidification, extended periods of drought and extreme temperatures, wildfire, and other increasingly unavoidable deleterious effects of climate change. More frequent and apparent extreme weather events have shown that resilience is an essential component of any comprehensive climate action program.
There is a robust and ever-growing movement fueled by local and national agencies and organizations alike geared toward building and improving climate resilience. From local community action to global treaties, addressing climate resilience is becoming a priority to avert the worst impacts of climate change. Climate resilience efforts encompass social, economic, technological, and political strategies that are being implemented in all facets of society, including public and private sectors.
The good news is that addressing these risks allows us to not only protect people and property, but also generate economic activity that will create domestic jobs and drive prosperity. Businesses prepare for risks every day and can factor climate change-related hazards into existing risk are not viable, residential parcels in the southern region of Santee do not have any viable evacuation routes and residential parcels in the southwestern region of Santee only have one viable evacuation route (Mission Gorge Road) (Appendix B).
Evacuation locations for Santee residents would be dependent on the type and location of hazardous event affecting Santee and would be determined by first responders on site during emergency situations. For example, if a wildfire occurs north of Santee, residents would be directed to evacuate to community centers and City buildings in the southern portion of Santee, such as the City of Santee Operations Center, or to areas south of Santee, such as El Cajon.
Evacuation locations would consist of places in Santee that residents are familiar with, such as parks, community centers, schools, libraries, City department buildings, or churches.
Section 5. Climate Adaptation and Resilience
In accordance with SB 379, the Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes a set of goals, policies, and objectives based on a Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A) identifying the risks that climate change poses to Santee and the specific assets (i.e., critical facilities) and populations at risk from climate change impacts.
5.1 What is Climate Adaptation and Resilience?
One of the most significant policy challenges of our time is to change how we plan, build, and sustain our societal and physical systems to become more resilient to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. As GHG emissions continue to rise, climate change effects will continue to accelerate. Even if global GHG emissions were to stop today, the climate would continue to change for some time as Earth’s system responds to the emissions already in the atmosphere. Climate adaptation planning involves anticipating the effects of climate change and proactively planning and shifting current practices now to minimize future economic and social risks.
Climate resilience is the ability and capacity to prepare for, recover from, and adapt to trends and events caused by climate change. Improving climate resilience involves assessing how climate change will create new or alter current climate-related risks and taking steps to better cope with these risks. These include severe weather, ocean warming and acidification, extended periods of drought and extreme temperatures, wildfire, and other increasingly unavoidable deleterious effects of climate change. More frequent and apparent extreme weather events have shown that resilience is an essential component of any comprehensive climate action program.
There is a robust and ever-growing movement fueled by local and national agencies and organizations alike geared toward building and improving climate resilience. From local community action to global treaties, addressing climate resilience is becoming a priority to avert the worst impacts of climate change. Climate resilience efforts encompass social, economic, technological, and political strategies that are being implemented in all facets of society, including public and private sectors.
The good news is that addressing these risks allows us to not only protect people and property, but also generate economic activity that will create domestic jobs and drive prosperity. Businesses prepare for risks every day and can factor climate change-related hazards into existing risk
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
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management frameworks to become more climate-resilient. Businesses and governments alike are planning now for the environment and economy they will face in the future.
5.2 What Is Climate Vulnerability?
Climate vulnerability describes the ways in which a person or a community is susceptible to sustaining harm or damage (impact) as a result of climate change. Climate vulnerability is a function of (1) climate-related changes in conditions that are experienced by a community and (2) the community’s sensitivity to experiencing impacts because of those changing conditions.
Climate vulnerability is related to physical factors, such as whether a community is likely to experience increases in the frequency of dangerously high-heat events or to be flooded during more frequent/intense storms, as well as social and economic factors, such as inequities in access to and benefits of education, economic investment, and government services.
Climate vulnerability is experienced by urban, suburban, and rural communities, but communities may be vulnerable in different ways. An individual or community may be vulnerable with respect to multiple factors of vulnerability at once. The cumulative impacts of these disparities and inequities may contribute to heightened vulnerability among certain groups, which are often referred to as “vulnerable communities” or “sensitive populations” (see the Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations discussion in Section 5.3).
5.3 Climate Adaptation Planning
The purpose of climate adaptation planning is to reduce vulnerability and increase the local capacity to adapt to projected climate change effects and build resilience through adoption of goals and policies. A climate-resilient city is one that is prepared for the effects of climate change and can provide essential services during and after hazard events. To plan for climate-related hazards in Santee that may affect people and assets, the City prepared a Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A) in accordance with the process outlined in the California Adaptation Planning Guide.
The Cal OES developed the California Adaptation Planning Guide to provide guidance to local governments on local adaptation and resiliency planning by presenting an updated, step-by-step process that communities can use to plan for climate change. Appendix A includes a full description of the four phases of the adaptation planning process. Phase 1 of the climate adaptation planning process, which includes identifying the potential climate change effects and important physical, social, and natural assets in the community, concluded that the primary hazards of concern for Santee are extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought.
Phase 2 of the climate adaptation planning process includes determining climate vulnerability of populations, natural resources, and assets in the community by analyzing potential impacts and the community’s capacity to adapt. The City’s Vulnerability Assessment follows the process outlined in Phase 2 of the California Adaptation Planning Guide.
Emissions Scenarios
The Vulnerability Assessment uses Cal-Adapt modeling and supplemental analysis to project the impacts of these climate change hazards. Cal-Adapt provides local climate projections for management frameworks to become more climate-resilient. Businesses and governments alike are planning now for the environment and economy they will face in the future.
5.2 What Is Climate Vulnerability?
Climate vulnerability describes the ways in which a person or a community is susceptible to sustaining harm or damage (impact) as a result of climate change. Climate vulnerability is a function of (1) climate-related changes in conditions that are experienced by a community and (2) the community’s sensitivity to experiencing impacts because of those changing conditions.
Climate vulnerability is related to physical factors, such as whether a community is likely to experience increases in the frequency of dangerously high-heat events or to be flooded during more frequent/intense storms, as well as social and economic factors, such as inequities in access to and benefits of education, economic investment, and government services.
Climate vulnerability is experienced by urban, suburban, and rural communities, but communities may be vulnerable in different ways. An individual or community may be vulnerable with respect to multiple factors of vulnerability at once. The cumulative impacts of these disparities and inequities may contribute to heightened vulnerability among certain groups, which are often referred to as “vulnerable communities” or “sensitive populations” (see the Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations discussion in Section 5.3).
5.3 Climate Adaptation Planning
The purpose of climate adaptation planning is to reduce vulnerability and increase the local capacity to adapt to projected climate change effects and build resilience through adoption of goals and policies. A climate-resilient city is one that is prepared for the effects of climate change and can provide essential services during and after hazard events. To plan for climate-related hazards in Santee that may affect people and assets, the City prepared a Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A) in accordance with the process outlined in the California Adaptation Planning Guide.
The Cal OES developed the California Adaptation Planning Guide to provide guidance to local governments on local adaptation and resiliency planning by presenting an updated, step-by-step process that communities can use to plan for climate change. Appendix A includes a full description of the four phases of the adaptation planning process. Phase 1 of the climate adaptation planning process, which includes identifying the potential climate change effects and important physical, social, and natural assets in the community, concluded that the primary hazards of concern for Santee are extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought.
Phase 2 of the climate adaptation planning process includes determining climate vulnerability of populations, natural resources, and assets in the community by analyzing potential impacts and the community's capacity to adapt. The City’s Vulnerability Assessment follows the process outlined in Phase 2 of the California Adaptation Planning Guide.
Emissions Scenarios
The Vulnerability Assessment uses Cal-Adapt modeling and supplemental analysis to project the impacts of these climate change hazards. Cal-Adapt provides local climate projections for
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City of Santee
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jurisdictions in California using climate scenarios. Climate projections from Cal-Adapt and other sources rely on climate models, which are computer simulations that forecast future climate conditions under the various climate scenarios, described further below. While no model can project future conditions perfectly, current models are heavily reviewed by climate scientists and can accurately reproduce observed climate conditions.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an organization that represents the global scientific consensus about climate change, has identified four climate scenarios, which are referred to as Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), that can be used to project future climate conditions. RCPs are different scenarios that measure the future severity of climate change. RCP scenarios are defined by assumptions for the growth of GHG emissions and an identified point at which GHG emissions are expected to begin declining (assuming various GHG reduction policies or socioeconomic conditions). The four RCP scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP
6.0, and RCP 8.5) are labeled with different numbers that refer to the increase in the amount of energy that reaches each square meter of Earth’s surface under that scenario. The greater the number, the more severe future climate change conditions could be. For example, RCP 8.5 is the “business as usual” projection, which assumes that GHG emissions will continue to rise until at least the end of the twenty-first century. Below is a summary of the four emissions scenarios:
• RCP 2.6: Global GHG emissions peak around 2020 and then begin to decline substantially (low-emissions scenario).
• RCP 4.5: Global GHG emissions peak around 2040 and then begin to decline. • RCP 6.0: Global emissions continue to rise until the middle of the century (2050). • RCP 8.5: Global emissions continue to increase at least until the end of the century (2100) (high-emissions scenario).
Cal-Adapt’s models represent the range of expected climate changes (e.g., annual average maximum temperature) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5.
Hazards
The Vulnerability Assessment addresses the climate change-related hazards most pressing to the City, including extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought.
Extreme Heat
The observed historical annual average temperature in Santee is 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Average temperatures are projected to increase between 3.8°F and 4.7°F by mid-century (2035– 2064) and between 4.9°F and 8.1°F by end of century (2070–2099), depending on the emissions scenario. In addition, the number of extreme heat days is projected to increase from a historical average of 3 days per year to between 12 and 15 days by mid-century and 16 to 32 days by end of century. Warmer days will also be accompanied by an increasing number of warmer nights. jurisdictions in California using climate scenarios. Climate projections from Cal-Adapt and other sources rely on climate models, which are computer simulations that forecast future climate conditions under the various climate scenarios, described further below. While no model can project future conditions perfectly, current models are heavily reviewed by climate scientists and can accurately reproduce observed climate conditions.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an organization that represents the global scientific consensus about climate change, has identified four climate scenarios, which are referred to as Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), that can be used to project future climate conditions. RCPs are different scenarios that measure the future severity of climate change. RCP scenarios are defined by assumptions for the growth of GHG emissions and an identified point at which GHG emissions are expected to begin declining (assuming various GHG reduction policies or socioeconomic conditions). The four RCP scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP
6.0, and RCP 8.5) are labeled with different numbers that refer to the increase in the amount of energy that reaches each square meter of Earth’s surface under that scenario. The greater the number, the more severe future climate change conditions could be. For example, RCP 8.5 is the “business as usual” projection, which assumes that GHG emissions will continue to rise until at least the end of the twenty-first century. Below is a summary of the four emissions scenarios:
e RCP 2.6: Global GHG emissions peak around 2020 and then begin to decline substantially (low-emissions scenario).
e RCP 4.5: Global GHG emissions peak around 2040 and then begin to decline. e RCP 6.0: Global emissions continue to rise until the middle of the century (2050). e RCP 8.5: Global emissions continue to increase at least until the end of the century (2100) (high-emissions scenario).
Cal-Adapt’s models represent the range of expected climate changes (e.g., annual average maximum temperature) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5.
Hazards
The Vulnerability Assessment addresses the climate change-related hazards most pressing to the City, including extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought.
Extreme Heat
The observed historical annual average temperature in Santee is 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).
Average temperatures are projected to increase between 3.8°F and 4.7°F by mid-century (2035— 2064) and between 4.9°F and 8.1°F by end of century (2070-2099), depending on the emissions scenario. In addition, the number of extreme heat days is projected to increase from a historical average of 3 days per year to between 12 and 15 days by mid-century and 16 to 32 days by end of century. Warmer days will also be accompanied by an increasing number of warmer nights.
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City of Santee
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Wildfire
Climate change can exacerbate wildfire risk. Wildfire risk is expected to continue to increase as a result of warmer temperatures, more frequent drought, changes in precipitation, and expanding WUI. According to the state’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, wildfire risk will continue to increase as the climate warms. Santa Ana winds, which are hot, strong, and gusty winds that produce extreme dryness, have fueled—and will continue to fuel—the most catastrophic wildfires in the county. According to local climate projections, conditions that are optimal for the spread of wildfire— (1) changes in precipitation (measurable precipitation becoming less frequent), (2) changes in water availability (drought becoming more common), and (3) changes in weather (air becoming drier, temperatures becoming hotter, winds becoming stronger)—will become more prevalent. The county is expected to experience an increase in wildfire risk, especially during “peak season” in December and January, as a result of climate change.
Extreme Precipitation
Severe weather, such as atmospheric rivers, powerful rainstorms, and subsequent flooding, will occur more frequently throughout California as a result of climate change due to warmer weather and more moisture in storm systems. Climate change is expected to result in fewer but more intense rainstorms in which rainfall is rapid during a short amount of time. This could result in damages from floods. These heavy precipitation incidents could result in additional flows into the City’s primary waterways—San Diego River, Forester Creek, Sycamore Creek, and intermittent creeks paralleling Big Rock Road and Fanita Drive. Severe storms can result in overtopping or other types of dam failure, street flooding, or mudslides and debris flows (refer to the Debris Flow Deposits discussion in Section 4.2, Geologic/Seismic Hazards), which can ensue on an annual basis.
Drought
Regionally, droughts are projected to become more frequent and intense in San Diego County and throughout Southern California by mid-century. Historically, Santee has averaged a 126-day dry spell for each year between 1961 and 1991. Dry spells are projected to increase by 4 to 8 days by mid-century and 6 to 14 days by end of century, depending on the emissions pathway. Drought episodes effectively lower fuel moisture conditions to create longer fire seasons. Drought’s toll on community water sources creates food and water security concerns in addition to economic considerations that showcase the importance of proper preparedness.
Critical Facilities
The Vulnerability Assessment evaluated the vulnerability of Santee’s critical facilities. The Vulnerability Assessment incorporated and supplemented the list of critical facilities identified for Santee in the County’s 2023 MJHMP. This list includes the following types of critical facilities:
• City Operations
• Public Safety Facilities
• Public Health Facilities
Wildfire
Climate change can exacerbate wildfire risk. Wildfire risk is expected to continue to increase as a result of warmer temperatures, more frequent drought, changes in precipitation, and expanding WUI. According to the state’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, wildfire risk will continue to increase as the climate warms. Santa Ana winds, which are hot, strong, and gusty winds that produce extreme dryness, have fueled—and will continue to fuel—the most catastrophic wildfires in the county. According to local climate projections, conditions that are optimal for the spread of wildfire— (1) changes in precipitation (measurable precipitation becoming less frequent), (2) changes in water availability (drought becoming more common), and (3) changes in weather (air becoming drier, temperatures becoming hotter, winds becoming stronger)—will become more prevalent. The county is expected to experience an increase in wildfire risk, especially during “peak season” in December and January, as a result of climate change.
Extreme Precipitation
Severe weather, such as atmospheric rivers, powerful rainstorms, and subsequent flooding, will occur more frequently throughout California as a result of climate change due to warmer weather and more moisture in storm systems. Climate change is expected to result in fewer but more intense rainstorms in which rainfall is rapid during a short amount of time. This could result in damages from floods. These heavy precipitation incidents could result in additional flows into the City’s primary waterways—San Diego River, Forester Creek, Sycamore Creek, and intermittent creeks paralleling Big Rock Road and Fanita Drive. Severe storms can result in overtopping or other types of dam failure, street flooding, or mudslides and debris flows (refer to the Debris Flow Deposits discussion in Section 4.2, Geologic/Seismic Hazards), which can ensue on an annual basis.
Drought
Regionally, droughts are projected to become more frequent and intense in San Diego County and throughout Southern California by mid-century. Historically, Santee has averaged a 126-day dry spell for each year between 1961 and 1991. Dry spells are projected to increase by 4 to 8 days by mid-century and 6 to 14 days by end of century, depending on the emissions pathway. Drought episodes effectively lower fuel moisture conditions to create longer fire seasons. Drought’s toll on community water sources creates food and water security concerns in addition to economic considerations that showcase the importance of proper preparedness.
Critical Facilities
The Vulnerability Assessment evaluated the vulnerability of Santee’s critical facilities. The Vulnerability Assessment incorporated and supplemented the list of critical facilities identified for Santee in the County’s 2023 MJHMP. This list includes the following types of critical facilities:
e City Operations
e Public Safety Facilities
e Public Health Facilities
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City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
• Community Centers
• Utility Facilities
• Critical Transportation
• Schools
Critical transportation facilities were determined to be the type of critical facility most impacted by, or vulnerable to, extreme heat. Public health facilities, schools, and critical transportation were determined to be vulnerable to wildfire. Public health facilities and schools in Santee are vulnerable to extreme precipitation and associated flooding damages. Utility facilities are the only critical facility type considered to be highly vulnerable to the effects of drought. See the Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A) for a full discussion of the impacts of these climate change hazards on critical facilities in Santee.
The Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes several goals, objectives, and policies to address the potential for climate change-related impacts to critical facilities in Section 7.
Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations
The Vulnerability Assessment also analyzed climate change-related impacts on the types of populations that are most sensitive or vulnerable to these effects. These populations include the following:
• People with access and functional needs (AFNs): People in multi-lingual communities, families with infants and children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness.
• People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions: People with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric illnesses, and respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma). • People with Low Incomes: People with incomes that are between 50 percent and 80 percent of the area median income. See Section 6.2, Mapping Disadvantaged Communities, for a detailed discussion of low-income areas in Santee. • People Experiencing Homelessness: People who are living in a place that is not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelters, or in transitional housing or exiting an institution where a person temporarily resided.
• Outdoor Workers: People who spend most of their workday outside (e.g., gardeners, landscapers, and park/recreation staff).
• Older Adults: People who are 65 years of age or older. • Children: People who are 17 years of age or younger.
• People without Life-Supporting Resources: People who lack adequate housing or ways to cool living space, are renters/tenants, or are food-insecure.
The populations that were determined to be most vulnerable to extreme heat include people with AFNs, people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, and people without life-supporting resources. The identified sensitive populations, except for people with existing chronic health e Community Centers
e Utility Facilities
e Critical Transportation
e Schools
Critical transportation facilities were determined to be the type of critical facility most impacted by, or vulnerable to, extreme heat. Public health facilities, schools, and critical transportation were determined to be vulnerable to wildfire. Public health facilities and schools in Santee are vulnerable to extreme precipitation and associated flooding damages. Utility facilities are the only critical facility type considered to be highly vulnerable to the effects of drought. See the Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A) for a full discussion of the impacts of these climate change hazards on critical facilities in Santee.
The Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes several goals, objectives, and policies to address the potential for climate change-related impacts to critical facilities in Section 7.
Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations
The Vulnerability Assessment also analyzed climate change-related impacts on the types of populations that are most sensitive or vulnerable to these effects. These populations include the following:
e People with access and functional needs (AFNs): People in multi-lingual communities, families with infants and children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness.
e People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions: People with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric illnesses, and respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma). e People with Low Incomes: People with incomes that are between 50 percent and 80 percent of the area median income. See Section 6.2, Mapping Disadvantaged Communities, for a detailed discussion of low-income areas in Santee. e People Experiencing Homelessness: People who are living in a place that is not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelters, or in transitional housing or exiting an institution where a person temporarily resided.
e Outdoor Workers: People who spend most of their workday outside (e.g., gardeners, landscapers, and park/recreation staff).
e Older Adults: People who are 65 years of age or older. e Children: People who are 17 years of age or younger.
e People without Life-Supporting Resources: People who lack adequate housing or ways to cool living space, are renters/tenants, or are food-insecure.
The populations that were determined to be most vulnerable to extreme heat include people with AFNs, people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, and people without life-supporting resources. The identified sensitive populations, except for people with existing chronic health
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
conditions, were found to be highly vulnerable to wildfire hazards. None of the identified sensitive populations were determined to be highly vulnerable to extreme precipitation. The identified sensitive populations, except people with existing chronic health conditions, are highly vulnerable to drought. Appendix A includes a full discussion of the impacts of these climate change hazards on Santee’s vulnerable populations.
The Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes several goals, objectives, and policies to address the potential for climate change-related impacts to vulnerable populations in Section 7.
Section 6. Environmental Justice – Existing Conditions
Environmental justice is defined by the California Environmental Justice Alliance as “the basic right of people to live, work, go to school, and pray in a healthy and clean environment—regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, ability, nationality, or income.” In Santee, as in many other places, areas with the highest concentration of low-income families are more likely to be exposed to pollution and environmental hazards. Consequently, they experience higher rates of health-related issues. SB 1000, which requires cities and counties with disadvantaged communities to incorporate environmental justice policies in their General Plans, has seven primary objectives:
1. Prioritize the Needs of Our Disadvantaged Communities
2. Promote Civic Engagement
3. Improve Access to Public Facilities
4. Promote Food Access
5. Promote Safe and Sanitary Housing
6. Reduce Pollution Exposure
7. Promote Physical Activity
In Santee, as in many other jurisdictions, areas with the highest concentration of low-income families are more likely to be exposed to pollution and environmental hazards. Consequently, the populations in these areas experience higher rates of health-related issues. This Element incorporates an analysis of environmental justice issues in Santee and identifies goals, objectives, and policies aimed at addressing community issues in equity (see Section 7). Addressing equity and environmental justice plays an important part in achieving the General Plan vision of improving the quality of life for citizens, workers, and visitors of Santee.
Once a city identifies disadvantaged communities, the OPR Environmental Justice Element Guidelines recommend that local agencies work with these communities to understand existing conditions with respect to the following environmental justice topic areas to better understand the drivers of inequality:
• Pollution exposure, including access to clean air and water • Access to public facilities and services, including access to transit, healthcare, childcare, parks, and other civic facilities
conditions, were found to be highly vulnerable to wildfire hazards. None of the identified sensitive populations were determined to be highly vulnerable to extreme precipitation. The identified sensitive populations, except people with existing chronic health conditions, are highly vulnerable to drought. Appendix A includes a full discussion of the impacts of these climate change hazards on Santee’s vulnerable populations.
The Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes several goals, objectives, and policies to address the potential for climate change-related impacts to vulnerable populations in Section 7.
Section 6. Environmental Justice — Existing Conditions
Environmental justice is defined by the California Environmental Justice Alliance as “the basic right of people to live, work, go to school, and pray in a healthy and clean environment—regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, ability, nationality, or income.” In Santee, as in many other places, areas with the highest concentration of low-income families are more likely to be exposed to pollution and environmental hazards. Consequently, they experience higher rates of health-related issues. SB 1000, which requires cities and counties with disadvantaged communities to incorporate environmental justice policies in their General Plans, has seven primary objectives:
1. Prioritize the Needs of Our Disadvantaged Communities Promote Civic Engagement
Improve Access to Public Facilities
Promote Food Access
Promote Safe and Sanitary Housing
an WV BF WN Reduce Pollution Exposure
7. Promote Physical Activity
In Santee, as in many other jurisdictions, areas with the highest concentration of low-income families are more likely to be exposed to pollution and environmental hazards. Consequently, the populations in these areas experience higher rates of health-related issues. This Element incorporates an analysis of environmental justice issues in Santee and identifies goals, objectives, and policies aimed at addressing community issues in equity (see Section 7). Addressing equity and environmental justice plays an important part in achieving the General Plan vision of improving the quality of life for citizens, workers, and visitors of Santee.
Once a city identifies disadvantaged communities, the OPR Environmental Justice Element Guidelines recommend that local agencies work with these communities to understand existing conditions with respect to the following environmental justice topic areas to better understand the drivers of inequality:
e Pollution exposure, including access to clean air and water e Access to public facilities and services, including access to transit, healthcare, childcare, parks, and other civic facilities
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
• Access to healthy food
• Access to safe and sanitary homes
• Access to physical activity and recreational opportunities • Unique or compounded health risks, including climate exposure
6.1 Community Engagement
A key environmental justice principle is to involve the communities most impacted by pollution, toxins, and other environmental problems that can impact their health and well-being in the public decision-making process. Resident participation in decision-making processes can bring knowledge, information, and ideas that local governments may not have thought of. Community members affected by environmental issues can share their firsthand knowledge of problems and provide input on solutions.
The City conducted two community stakeholder meetings with City staff, members of community programs, and representatives of the Santee Fire Department, Santee Sheriff’s Station, and healthcare districts. The stakeholder meetings were held on June 16, 2021 and December 1, 2021.
The first stakeholder meeting on December 1, 2021, included a discussion of the goals, objectives, and policies presented in this Safety and Environmental Justice Element.
Following the first stakeholder meeting, the City developed an online Community Survey to identify what environmental justice topic areas were of greatest concern to residents. The Community Survey was made available in English and Spanish and was open from March 11, 2021, to April 30, 2021 and again from June 23, 2021 to July 7, 2021. The Community Survey included the following questions:
1. What conditions make it difficult for you to have good health and living conditions?
2. Which three issues do you think are the most important for the City to address to ensure that your neighborhood has access to healthy living conditions?
3. What improvements would you like to see in your City?
4. How much influence do you think residents have on City decisions that affect community health and environmental issues?
5. What is your age in years?
6. Which race/ethnicity category best describes you?
7. What is the highest education level you achieved?
A total of 121 responses were received from City residents. The results of the Community Survey were shared and discussed with community stakeholders during the second stakeholder meeting on June 16, 2021. The City used the Community Survey results and commentary from the stakeholders to refine the environmental justice goals, objectives, and policies to address environmental justice issues relevant to the community (Appendix E). e Access to healthy food
e Access to safe and sanitary homes
e Access to physical activity and recreational opportunities e Unique or compounded health risks, including climate exposure
6.1 Community Engagement
A key environmental justice principle is to involve the communities most impacted by pollution, toxins, and other environmental problems that can impact their health and well-being in the public decision-making process. Resident participation in decision-making processes can bring knowledge, information, and ideas that local governments may not have thought of. Community members affected by environmental issues can share their firsthand knowledge of problems and provide input on solutions.
The City conducted two community stakeholder meetings with City staff, members of community programs, and representatives of the Santee Fire Department, Santee Sheriff’s Station, and healthcare districts. The stakeholder meetings were held on June 16, 2021 and December 1, 2021.
The first stakeholder meeting on December 1, 2021, included a discussion of the goals, objectives, and policies presented in this Safety and Environmental Justice Element.
Following the first stakeholder meeting, the City developed an online Community Survey to identify what environmental justice topic areas were of greatest concern to residents. The Community Survey was made available in English and Spanish and was open from March 11, 2021, to April 30, 2021 and again from June 23, 2021 to July 7, 2021. The Community Survey included the following questions:
1. What conditions make it difficult for you to have good health and living conditions?
2. Which three issues do you think are the most important for the City to address to ensure that your neighborhood has access to healthy living conditions?
3. What improvements would you like to see in your City?
4. How much influence do you think residents have on City decisions that affect community health and environmental issues?
5. What is your age in years?
6. Which race/ethnicity category best describes you?
7. What is the highest education level you achieved?
A total of 121 responses were received from City residents. The results of the Community Survey were shared and discussed with community stakeholders during the second stakeholder meeting on June 16, 2021. The City used the Community Survey results and commentary from the stakeholders to refine the environmental justice goals, objectives, and policies to address environmental justice issues relevant to the community (Appendix E).
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
The key findings of the Community Survey are discussed in the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D), and survey results are provided in the Environmental Justice Community Survey Results (Appendix E).
6.2 Mapping Disadvantaged Communities
CalEnviroScreen
The OPR Environmental Justice Element Guidelines recommend using CalEnviroScreen, a computer mapping tool used to identify communities disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution and with population characteristics that make them more sensitive to pollution (i.e., disadvantaged communities). Using data from federal and state sources, CalEnviroScreen uses indicators to determine if a community is disadvantaged and disproportionately affected by pollution. Exposure and environmental effects are components comprising a Pollution Burden group, and the Sensitive Populations and Socioeconomic Factors are components comprising a Population Characteristics group. The four components are made up of environmental, health, and socioeconomic data from 21 indicators (Table 6.1, CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator and Component Scoring). The CalEnviroScreen score is calculated by combining the individual indicator scores within each of the four components, then multiplying the Pollution Burden and Population Characteristics scores to produce a final score.
Table 6.1. CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator and Component Scoring Pollution Burden Group Population Characteristics Group Exposure
• Ozone Concentrations
• PM2.5 Concentrations
• Diesel Particulate Matter Emissions
• Drinking Water Quality
• Pesticide Use
• Toxic Releases from Facilities
• Traffic Density
• Children’s Lead Risk from Housing
Sensitive Populations
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Low Birth-Weight Births
• Asthma Emergency
• Department Visits
Environmental Effects
• Cleanup Sites
• Groundwater Threats
• Hazardous Waste
• Impaired Water Bodies
• Solid Waste Sites and Facilities
Socioeconomic Factors
• Educational Attainment
• Linguistic Isolation
• Poverty
• Unemployment
• Housing Burdened Low
• Income Households
Notes: PM2.5 = fine particulate matter measuring no more than 2.5 microns in diameter CalEnviroScreen scores are converted to percentiles for census tracts across California that can be ranked relative to other areas of the state. In general, the higher the score or percentile, the more impacted a community is compared to other areas of the state. As shown on Figure 6.1, City of Santee The key findings of the Community Survey are discussed in the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D), and survey results are provided in the Environmental Justice Community Survey Results (Appendix E).
6.2 Mapping Disadvantaged Communities
CalEnviroScreen
The OPR Environmental Justice Element Guidelines recommend using CalEnviroScreen, a computer mapping tool used to identify communities disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution and with population characteristics that make them more sensitive to pollution (i.e., disadvantaged communities). Using data from federal and state sources, CalEnviroScreen uses indicators to determine if a community is disadvantaged and disproportionately affected by pollution. Exposure and environmental effects are components comprising a Pollution Burden group, and the Sensitive Populations and Socioeconomic Factors are components comprising a Population Characteristics group. The four components are made up of environmental, health, and socioeconomic data from 21 indicators (Table 6.1, Ca/EnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator and Component Scoring). The CalEnviroScreen score is calculated by combining the individual indicator scores within each of the four components, then multiplying the Pollution Burden and Population Characteristics scores to produce a final score.
Table 6.1. CalEnviroScreen 4.0 Indicator and Component Scoring Pollution Burden Group Population Characteristics Group Exposure Sensitive Populations
e Ozone Concentrations e Cardiovascular Disease
e PMz5 Concentrations e Low Birth-Weight Births
e Diesel Particulate Matter Emissions e Asthma Emergency e = Drinking Water Quality e Department Visits
e Pesticide Use
e Toxic Releases from Facilities
e Traffic Density
e Children’s Lead Risk from Housing
Environmental Effects Socioeconomic Factors
e Cleanup Sites e Educational Attainment
e Groundwater Threats e Linguistic Isolation
e Hazardous Waste e Poverty
e Impaired Water Bodies e Unemployment
e Solid Waste Sites and Facilities e Housing Burdened Low e |ncome Households
Notes: PM2:5 = fine particulate matter measuring no more than 2.5 microns in diameter CalEnviroScreen scores are converted to percentiles for census tracts across California that can be ranked relative to other areas of the state. In general, the higher the score or percentile, the more impacted a community is compared to other areas of the state. As shown on Figure 6.1, City of Santee
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Disadvantaged Communities: CalEnviroScreen, the southernmost portion of Santee, west of SR-67, south of Mission Gorge Road, and bounded by the City boundary to the west and south, exceeds the 75th percentile of CalEnviroScreen scores. These areas are considered disadvantaged communities.
Low-Income Areas
In addition to using CalEnviroScreen, the OPR Environmental Justice Element Guidelines recommend mapping low-income areas to identify disadvantaged communities. To identify communities with low incomes, the City compared household income levels to two different thresholds:
1. Statewide median household income
2. HCD state income limits/area median income
The average statewide median household income (in 2018 dollars) between 2015 and 2019 was $75,235. As shown on Figure 6.2, City of Santee Disadvantaged Communities: Statewide Median Income, only a small portion of households along the southern edge of Santee are below the statewide median income threshold.
The 2021 area median income established by the HCD for a four-person household in the county was $95,100. As shown on Figure 6.3, City of Santee Disadvantaged Communities: HCD State Income Limits, Santee identified four census tracts (166.05, 166.16, 16.17, 162.02) intersecting Santee with an average median household income below the HCD’s state income limits for the region.
As shown on Figure 6.1 through Figure 6.3, disadvantaged communities are in the southernmost portions of Santee, west of SR-67, south of Mission Gorge Road, and bounded by the City boundary to the west and south. In addition, the area of Santee between Cuyamaca Street east to SR-67 on the southern side of Prospect Avenue is mapped as a disadvantaged community by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D) provides a full analysis of the extent that designated disadvantaged communities in Santee are exposed to environmental burdens or lack access to public goods and services. Key findings of this assessment are summarized in Section 6.3, Key Findings of the Existing Conditions Assessment.
Disadvantaged Communities: CalEnviroScreen, the southernmost portion of Santee, west of SR-67, south of Mission Gorge Road, and bounded by the City boundary to the west and south, exceeds the 75th percentile of CalEnviroScreen scores. These areas are considered disadvantaged communities.
Low-/ncome Areas
In addition to using CalEnviroScreen, the OPR Environmental Justice Element Guidelines recommend mapping low-income areas to identify disadvantaged communities. To identify communities with low incomes, the City compared household income levels to two different thresholds:
1. Statewide median household income
2. HCD state income limits/area median income
The average statewide median household income (in 2018 dollars) between 2015 and 2019 was $75,235. As shown on Figure 6.2, City of Santee Disadvantaged Communities: Statewide Median Income, only a small portion of households along the southern edge of Santee are below the statewide median income threshold.
The 2021 area median income established by the HCD for a four-person household in the county was $95,100. As shown on Figure 6.3, Cityof Santee Disadvantaged Communities: HCD State Income Limits, Santee identified four census tracts (166.05, 166.16, 16.17, 162.02) intersecting Santee with an average median household income below the HCD’s state income limits for the region.
As shown on Figure 6.1 through Figure 6.3, disadvantaged communities are in the southernmost portions of Santee, west of SR-67, south of Mission Gorge Road, and bounded by the City boundary to the west and south. In addition, the area of Santee between Cuyamaca Street east to SR-67 on the southern side of Prospect Avenue is mapped as a disadvantaged community by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D) provides a full analysis of the extent that designated disadvantaged communities in Santee are exposed to environmental burdens or lack access to public goods and services. Key findings of this assessment are summarized in Section 6.3, Key Findings of the Existing Conditions Assessment.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Figure Figure 66.1. .1. City of Santee Disadvantaged Communities City of Santee Disadvantaged Communities: : CalEnviroScreen CalEnviroScreen Figure 6.1.
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City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Figure Figure 6. 6.2. 2. City of Santee City of Santee Disadvantaged Communities: Statewide Median Income Disadvantaged Communities: Statewide Median Income Figure 6.2. Disadvantaged Communities:
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City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Figure Figure 6. 6.3. 3. City of Santee City of Santee Disadvantaged Communities: Disadvantaged Communities: HCD HCD State Income Limits State Income Limits Figure 6.3. Disadvantaged Communities:
HCD State Income Limits
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City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
6.3 Key Findings of the Existing Conditions Assessment
The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D) assessed six environmental, health, and socioeconomic topic areas, including pollution exposure, access to public facilities and services, access to healthy food, access to physical activity and recreational opportunities, access to safe and sanitary homes, and unique or compounded health risks related to climate change.
To assess existing conditions with respect to each environmental justice topic area, the City relied on U.S. Census data, which is the primary and standard source of high-resolution geographic information about the U.S. population; however, U.S. Census data can have large margins or error attributable to specific methodological decisions made by the U.S. Census Bureau. Therefore, U.S.
Census data was supplemented by local data and knowledge, including the results of the Community Survey and community stakeholder meetings (refer to Section 6.1, Community Engagement). Stakeholders were able to “ground truth” data by providing individual observations of their lived experiences in Santee. The Community Survey also helped to quantify areas of concern to Santee residents. The key findings of the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment are listed below. See Appendix D for the full analysis of existing environmental justice conditions in Santee and Appendix E for the results of the Community Survey.
Pollution Exposure
The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment analyzed areas of Santee with poor air quality and issues related to water quality, accessibility, and affordability. Proximity to high-volume roadways, hazardous waste sites, and heavy industrial land use types and other high-emission sources can result in adverse health impacts. Disadvantaged communities are often disproportionately subjected to adverse air quality and water quality due to proximity to polluting activities and are more likely to have underlying medical conditions that may be worsened by pollution. As recommended by the OPR Guidelines, the City employed California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment indicators to assess water quality, accessibility, and affordability. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to pollution exposure:
• Disadvantaged communities experience greater exposure to air pollutants due to their proximity to high-traffic corridors and industrial activity (Refer to Figures 7 and 8). • While drinking water quality is not an issue for Santee, Santee’s disadvantaged communities experience greater instances of chemical, sediment, and sewage pollutants from illicit stormwater discharges due to their proximity to the San Diego River; however, these discharges do not impact the community’s potable water quality (Refer to Figure 10). • Although not analyzed explicitly due to the lack of data availability, the pollution source that residents (46 percent of Community Survey respondents) are most concerned about is the prevalence of trash and debris throughout Santee, with many specifically pointing to homeless encampments along the river as a major source of pollution (Refer to Figure 10).
6.3 Key Findings of the Existing Conditions Assessment
The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D) assessed six environmental, health, and socioeconomic topic areas, including pollution exposure, access to public facilities and services, access to healthy food, access to physical activity and recreational opportunities, access to safe and sanitary homes, and unique or compounded health risks related to climate change.
To assess existing conditions with respect to each environmental justice topic area, the City relied on U.S. Census data, which is the primary and standard source of high-resolution geographic information about the U.S. population; however, U.S. Census data can have large margins or error attributable to specific methodological decisions made by the U.S. Census Bureau. Therefore, U.S.
Census data was supplemented by local data and knowledge, including the results of the Community Survey and community stakeholder meetings (refer to Section 6.1, Community Engagement). Stakeholders were able to “ground truth” data by providing individual observations of their lived experiences in Santee. The Community Survey also helped to quantify areas of concern to Santee residents. The key findings of the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment are listed below. See Appendix D for the full analysis of existing environmental justice conditions in Santee and Appendix E for the results of the Community Survey.
Pollution Exposure
The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment analyzed areas of Santee with poor air quality and issues related to water quality, accessibility, and affordability. Proximity to high-volume roadways, hazardous waste sites, and heavy industrial land use types and other high-emission sources can result in adverse health impacts. Disadvantaged communities are often disproportionately subjected to adverse air quality and water quality due to proximity to polluting activities and are more likely to have underlying medical conditions that may be worsened by pollution. As recommended by the OPR Guidelines, the City employed California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment indicators to assess water quality, accessibility, and affordability. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to pollution exposure:
e Disadvantaged communities experience greater exposure to air pollutants due to their proximity to high-traffic corridors and industrial activity (Refer to Figures 7 and 8). e While drinking water quality is not an issue for Santee, Santee’s disadvantaged communities experience greater instances of chemical, sediment, and sewage pollutants from illicit stormwater discharges due to their proximity to the San Diego River; however, these discharges do not impact the community’s potable water quality (Refer to Figure 10). e Although not analyzed explicitly due to the lack of data availability, the pollution source that residents (46 percent of Community Survey respondents) are most concerned about is the prevalence of trash and debris throughout Santee, with many specifically pointing to homeless encampments along the river as a major source of pollution (Refer to Figure 10).
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Access to Public Facilities and Services
For this analysis, access to public facilities and services included access to transit, healthcare, childcare, parks, and other civic facilities. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to access to public facilities and services:
• Many residences in disadvantaged communities are not within walking distance to their nearest school. However, residences in disadvantaged communities are generally within walking distance of daycare centers and transit, which can provide residents with opportunities to access other community services without using their personal vehicle (Refer to Figures 11, 12, and 13).
• Despite low transit fares and well-distributed bus stops, most residents still rely on their personal vehicle. Nevertheless, 21 percent of Community Survey respondents indicated that heavy traffic restricted access to key destinations (Refer to Figure 13). • Residents in disadvantaged communities are less likely to have health insurance, which may result in higher rates of avoidable emergency room visits (Refer to Figure 14). • Several medical facilities serve the area in and around the City’s disadvantaged communities (Refer to Figure 14).
Access to Healthy Food
Access to healthy food is essential to improving health conditions. Many Californians also experience “food insecurity,” defined as a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. Although individuals make food choices, those choices are made within the context of what is consistently accessible, affordable, or available. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to access to healthy food:
• Disadvantaged communities have slightly less access to healthy food outlets compared to other areas in Santee and San Diego County. Less access to healthy food and higher prevalence of fast-food establishments in disadvantaged communities may contribute to higher obesity rates. (Refer to Figure 16).
• While Santee has several food banks and summer meal program sites, the southwestern portion of Santee with disadvantaged communities is not served by these food distribution sites (Refer to Figure 15).
• Overall, Community Survey respondents felt that they had sufficient access to healthy food.
Access to Physical Activity and Recreational Opportunities Increasing physical activity is one of the most important contributors to improved health. It helps people manage weight; reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers; and improves mental health and well-being. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to access to physical activity and recreational opportunities:
Access to Public Facilities and Services
For this analysis, access to public facilities and services included access to transit, healthcare, childcare, parks, and other civic facilities. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to access to public facilities and services:
e Many residences in disadvantaged communities are not within walking distance to their nearest school. However, residences in disadvantaged communities are generally within walking distance of daycare centers and transit, which can provide residents with opportunities to access other community services without using their personal vehicle (Refer to Figures 11, 12, and 13).
e Despite low transit fares and well-distributed bus stops, most residents still rely on their personal vehicle. Nevertheless, 21 percent of Community Survey respondents indicated that heavy traffic restricted access to key destinations (Refer to Figure 13). e Residents in disadvantaged communities are less likely to have health insurance, which may result in higher rates of avoidable emergency room visits (Refer to Figure 14). e Several medical facilities serve the area in and around the City’s disadvantaged communities (Refer to Figure 14).
Access to Healthy Food
Access to healthy food is essential to improving health conditions. Many Californians also experience “food insecurity,” defined as a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. Although individuals make food choices, those choices are made within the context of what is consistently accessible, affordable, or available. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to access to healthy food:
e Disadvantaged communities have slightly less access to healthy food outlets compared to other areas in Santee and San Diego County. Less access to healthy food and higher prevalence of fast-food establishments in disadvantaged communities may contribute to higher obesity rates. (Refer to Figure 16).
e While Santee has several food banks and summer meal program sites, the southwestern portion of Santee with disadvantaged communities is not served by these food distribution sites (Refer to Figure 15).
e Overall, Community Survey respondents felt that they had sufficient access to healthy food.
Access to Physical Activity and Recreational Opportunities Increasing physical activity is one of the most important contributors to improved health. It helps people manage weight; reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and some cancers; and improves mental health and well-being. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to access to physical activity and recreational opportunities:
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
• Disadvantaged communities in the southwestern portion of Santee have fewer sidewalks and bike paths compared to other areas of Santee, limiting their ability to use active transportation modes (Refer to Figure 18).
• Nearly 46 percent of Community Survey respondents indicated that limited access to and/or deterioration of City infrastructure and facilities that support physical activity, including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, parks, and recreation centers, is the most important issue for the City to address to ensure all residents have access to healthy living conditions.
Access to Safe and Sanitary Homes
Housing location, quality, affordability, and stability have health implications. Often, individuals who experience unique or compounding health risks face multiple, interrelated barriers to accessing safe, stable, and affordable housing. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to access to safe and sanitary homes:
• Although housing costs in Santee are less expensive than housing costs in other areas in the county and state, 48 percent of renters and 31 percent of homeowners in Santee are cost burdened (Figure 20).
• High housing costs impact renters in disadvantaged communities more severely because they often include low-income residents.
• Community Survey respondents were much more concerned with housing affordability than the safety and quality of homes—32 percent of respondents thought affordable housing is the most important issue for the City to address as opposed to the 2 percent of respondents who thought safe and sanitary housing is the most important issue.
Unique or Compounded Health Risks
Disadvantaged communities that suffer disproportionate environmental burdens are also likely to be more vulnerable to climate impacts. Climate change may even cause displacement from increased frequency or severity of hazards like flooding, drought, wildfire, extreme heat, and other impacts(refer to Section 5.3). The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to unique or compounded health risks due to climate change:
• The area with the greatest vulnerability to extreme heat, which poses a significant public health threat, is the southern portion of Santee. However, overall, Santee, including disadvantaged communities, is not particularly vulnerable to extreme heat (Refer to Figure 21).
The Safety and Environmental Justice Element aims to address these issues by integrating the primary areas of concern identified in the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D) into a series of implementation measures outlined in Section 7. These measures have been written in consultation with stakeholders to create a document that provides a blueprint for a more equitable, sustainable quality of life in Santee. e Disadvantaged communities in the southwestern portion of Santee have fewer sidewalks and bike paths compared to other areas of Santee, limiting their ability to use active transportation modes (Refer to Figure 18).
e Nearly 46 percent of Community Survey respondents indicated that limited access to and/or deterioration of City infrastructure and facilities that support physical activity, including sidewalks, bicycle lanes, parks, and recreation centers, is the most important issue for the City to address to ensure all residents have access to healthy living conditions.
Access to Safe and Sanitary Homes
Housing location, quality, affordability, and stability have health implications. Often, individuals who experience unique or compounding health risks face multiple, interrelated barriers to accessing safe, stable, and affordable housing. The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to access to safe and sanitary homes:
e Although housing costs in Santee are less expensive than housing costs in other areas in the county and state, 48 percent of renters and 31 percent of homeowners in Santee are cost burdened (Figure 20).
e High housing costs impact renters in disadvantaged communities more severely because they often include low-income residents.
e Community Survey respondents were much more concerned with housing affordability than the safety and quality of homes—32 percent of respondents thought affordable housing is the most important issue for the City to address as opposed to the 2 percent of respondents who thought safe and sanitary housing is the most important issue.
Unique or Compounded Health Risks
Disadvantaged communities that suffer disproportionate environmental burdens are also likely to be more vulnerable to climate impacts. Climate change may even cause displacement from increased frequency or severity of hazards like flooding, drought, wildfire, extreme heat, and other impacts (refer to Section 5.3). The Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment identified the following key findings related to unique or compounded health risks due to climate change:
e The area with the greatest vulnerability to extreme heat, which poses a significant public health threat, is the southern portion of Santee. However, overall, Santee, including disadvantaged communities, is not particularly vulnerable to extreme heat (Refer to Figure 21).
The Safety and Environmental Justice Element aims to address these issues by integrating the primary areas of concern identified in the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D) into a series of implementation measures outlined in Section 7. These measures have been written in consultation with stakeholders to create a document that provides a blueprint for a more equitable, sustainable quality of life in Santee.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Section 7. Goals, Objectives, and Policies
The City is adopting goals, objectives, and policies as defined below to address the different safety hazards and environmental burdens faced by the community:
• Goals: High-level objectives that address different safety and environmental justice topic areas, including those that were addressed in the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D).
• Objectives: Established focus areas and direction on how the City will accomplish each safety and environmental justice goal.
• Policies: Specific actions the City will take to advance a specific goal and objective.
In accordance with SB 379 and the process outlined in the California Adaptation Planning Guide, the City prepared a Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A) that identifies the risks that climate change poses to Santee and the specific assets (i.e., critical facilities) and populations at risk from climate change impacts. The Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes several goals, objectives, and policies to address the potential for climate change-related impacts to critical facilities based on the results of the Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A). In addition, the City prepared an Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis (Appendix B) in accordance with AB 747, SB 99, and AB 1409. The analysis identifies evacuation routes that are impacted by various hazard scenarios and the residential areas of the City that are especially vulnerable due to limited evacuation routes. The results of the Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis (Appendix B) when creating the goals, objectives, and policies related to public safety.
The OPR Guidelines recommend that local agencies work with residents to understand the environmental burdens and drivers of inequality when developing the Environmental Justice Element.
Accordingly, the City prepared the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D), which includes information from the stakeholders and the Community Survey (Appendix E).
The City considered the findings from the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D) when creating the goals, objectives, and policies, which seek to address the following:
• Reduce unique or compounded health risks
• Promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process • Prioritize improvements and programs
Overall Goals:
• The goal of the Safety Element is to minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damages resulting from natural and human-induced safety hazards. • The goal of the Environmental Justice Element is to minimize the effects of climate change, pollution, and other hazards and environmental effects.
Section 7. Goals, Objectives, and Policies
The City is adopting goals, objectives, and policies as defined below to address the different safety hazards and environmental burdens faced by the community:
e Goals: High-level objectives that address different safety and environmental justice topic areas, including those that were addressed in the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D).
e Objectives: Established focus areas and direction on how the City will accomplish each safety and environmental justice goal.
e Policies: Specific actions the City will take to advance a specific goal and objective.
In accordance with SB 379 and the process outlined in the California Adaptation Planning Guide, the City prepared a Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A) that identifies the risks that climate change poses to Santee and the specific assets (i.e., critical facilities) and populations at risk from climate change impacts. The Safety and Environmental Justice Element includes several goals, objectives, and policies to address the potential for climate change-related impacts to critical facilities based on the results of the Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A). In addition, the City prepared an Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis (Appendix B) in accordance with AB 747, SB 99, and AB 1409. The analysis identifies evacuation routes that are impacted by various hazard scenarios and the residential areas of the City that are especially vulnerable due to limited evacuation routes. The results of the Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis (Appendix B) when creating the goals, objectives, and policies related to public safety.
The OPR Guidelines recommend that local agencies work with residents to understand the environmental burdens and drivers of inequality when developing the Environmental Justice Element.
Accordingly, the City prepared the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D), which includes information from the stakeholders and the Community Survey (Appendix E).
The City considered the findings from the Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix D) when creating the goals, objectives, and policies, which seek to address the following:
e Reduce unique or compounded health risks
e Promote civic engagement in the public decision-making process e Prioritize improvements and programs
Overall Goals:
e The goal of the Safety Element is to minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damages resulting from natural and human-induced safety hazards. e The goal of the Environmental Justice Element is to minimize the effects of climate change, pollution, and other hazards and environmental effects.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
7.1 Safety Element
Goal 1: Reduce impacts from and improve the City of Santee’s capacity to adapt to natural hazards.
Objective 1: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from flood hazards.
Policies
Policy 1.1: Encourage the use of innovative site design strategies within the floodplain, which ensure the minimization of flood hazards and maintenance of the natural character of waterways.
Policy 1.2: Require that developments proposed within a floodplain area use design and site planning techniques to ensure that structures are elevated at least 1 foot above the 100-year flood level.
Policy 1.3: Ensure that proposed projects that would modify the configuration of any of the three main waterways in Santee (San Diego River and Sycamore and Forester Creeks) are required to submit a report prepared by a registered hydrologist that analyzes potential effects of the project downstream and within the local vicinity.
Policy 1.4: Actively pursue the improvement of drainage ways and flood control facilities to lessen recurrent flood problems and include such public improvements in the Capital Improvements Program for Santee.
Policy 1.5: Pursue the identification of flood hazard areas along Fanita and Big Rock Creeks and apply protective measures where necessary.
Policy 1.6: Require a hydrologic study, including the analysis of effects on downstream and upstream properties and on the flood-carrying characteristics of the stream, for development proposed in the floodplain.
Policy 1.7: Ensure that critical emergency uses (hospitals, fire stations, police stations, the Emergency Operations Center, public administration buildings, and schools) are not in flood hazard areas or in areas that would affect their ability to function in the event of a disaster.
Policy 1.8: Prohibit development within the 100-year floodway, subject to the provisions of the City of Santee’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
Policy 1.9: Ensure that floodway areas are not included in the calculation of net area for the purpose of land division.
7.1 Safety Element
Goal 1: Reduce impacts from and improve the City of Santee’s capacity to adapt to natural hazards.
Objective 1: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from flood hazards.
Policies
Policy 1.1: Encourage the use of innovative site design strategies within the floodplain, which ensure the minimization of flood hazards and maintenance of the natural character of waterways.
Policy 1.2: Require that developments proposed within a floodplain area use design and site planning techniques to ensure that structures are elevated at least 1 foot above the 100-year flood level.
Policy 1.3: Ensure that proposed projects that would modify the configuration of any of the three main waterways in Santee (San Diego River and Sycamore and Forester Creeks) are required to submit a report prepared by a registered hydrologist that analyzes potential effects of the project downstream and within the local vicinity.
Policy 1.4: Actively pursue the improvement of drainage ways and flood control facilities to lessen recurrent flood problems and include such public improvements in the Capital Improvements Program for Santee.
Policy 1.5: Pursue the identification of flood hazard areas along Fanita and Big Rock Creeks and apply protective measures where necessary.
Policy 1.6: Require a hydrologic study, including the analysis of effects on downstream and upstream properties and on the flood-carrying characteristics of the stream, for development proposed in the floodplain.
Policy 1.7: Ensure that critical emergency uses (hospitals, fire stations, police stations, the Emergency Operations Center, public administration buildings, and schools) are not in flood hazard areas or in areas that would affect their ability to function in the event of a disaster.
Policy 1.8: Prohibit development within the 100-year floodway, subject to the provisions of the City of Santee’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
Policy 1.9: Ensure that floodway areas are not included in the calculation of net area for the purpose of land division.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Objective 2: Increase awareness of geotechnical and seismic hazards to avoid or minimize the effects of hazards during the planning process for new development or redevelopment and to mitigate the risks for existing development.
Policies
Policy 2.1: Utilize existing and evolving geologic, geophysical, and engineering knowledge to distinguish and delineate those areas that are particularly susceptible to damage from landslides and slope instability, liquefaction, and dam inundation.
Policy 2.2: For projects proposed in areas identified in the geologic hazard category area, the geologic/geotechnical consultant shall establish either that the unfavorable conditions do not exist in the specific area in question or that they can be mitigated though proper design and construction.
Policy 2.3: As shown in Table A-1, Determination of Geotechnical Studies Required, of the Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study Group I, II, III, and IV facilities require a Geotechnical Investigation, a Geologic Investigation, and a Seismic Hazard Study specific to the project.
Additionally, the State of California requires reports for public schools, hospitals, and other critical structures to be reviewed by the State Architect.
Objective 3: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from fire hazards.
Policies
New Development
Policy 3.1: Mandate that a proposed development in a State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone be approved only after it is determined that a Fire Protection Plan is in place that includes measures to avoid or minimize fire hazards, such as adequate water pressure to maintain the required fire flow at the time of development.
Policy 3.2: Ensure that all new development meets established response time standards for fire and life safety services and that all new development in State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones requires fuel modification around homes and subdivisions.
Policy 3.3: Avoid expanding new residential development, essential public facilities, and critical infrastructure in areas subject to extreme threat or high risk, such as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, or areas classified by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as having an Extreme Threat classification on Fire Threat Maps unless all feasible risk reduction measures have been incorporated into project designs or conditions of approval.
Policy 3.4: Prohibit land uses that could exacerbate the risk of ignitions in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, such as outdoor storage of hazardous or highly flammable materials, automobile service or gas stations, or temporary fireworks sales.
Objective 2: Increase awareness of geotechnical and seismic hazards to avoid or minimize the effects of hazards during the planning process for new development or redevelopment and to mitigate the risks for existing development.
Policies
Policy 2.1: Utilize existing and evolving geologic, geophysical, and engineering knowledge to distinguish and delineate those areas that are particularly susceptible to damage from landslides and slope instability, liquefaction, and dam inundation.
Policy 2.2: For projects proposed in areas identified in the geologic hazard category area, the geologic/geotechnical consultant shall establish either that the unfavorable conditions do not exist in the specific area in question or that they can be mitigated though proper design and construction.
Policy 2.3: As shown in Table A-1, Determination of Geotechnical Studies Required, of the Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study Group |, Il, Ill, and IV facilities require a Geotechnical Investigation, a Geologic Investigation, and a Seismic Hazard Study specific to the project.
Additionally, the State of California requires reports for public schools, hospitals, and other critical structures to be reviewed by the State Architect.
Objective 3: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from fire hazards.
Policies
New Development
Policy 3.1: Mandate that a proposed development in a State Responsibility Area or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone be approved only after it is determined that a Fire Protection Plan is in place that includes measures to avoid or minimize fire hazards, such as adequate water pressure to maintain the required fire flow at the time of development.
Policy 3.2: Ensure that all new development meets established response time standards for fire and life safety services and that all new development in State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones requires fuel modification around homes and subdivisions.
Policy 3.3: Avoid expanding new residential development, essential public facilities, and critical infrastructure in areas subject to extreme threat or high risk, such as High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, or areas classified by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection as having an Extreme Threat classification on Fire Threat Maps unless all feasible risk reduction measures have been incorporated into project designs or conditions of approval.
Policy 3.4: Prohibit land uses that could exacerbate the risk of ignitions in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, such as outdoor storage of hazardous or highly flammable materials, automobile service or gas stations, or temporary fireworks sales.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 3.5: Prohibit land uses that could place occupants at unreasonable risk in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, such as areas with large events or assembly of people and healthcare facilities.
Policy 3.6: Encourage the use of conservation easements or establish a Transfer of Development Rights Program in undeveloped wildland areas within High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Policy 3.7: Require the installation of fire hydrants and establishment of emergency vehicle access, notably before construction with combustible materials can begin on an approved project.
Policy 3.8: Require emergency access routes in developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles to ensure that new development has adequate fire protection.
Policy 3.9: Mandate that proposed development satisfy the minimum structural fire protection standards in the adopted edition of the California Building Standards Code and California Fire Code; however, where deemed appropriate, the City of Santee shall enhance the minimum standards to provide optimum protection.
Policy 3.10: Mandate that all new development in the Very High Fire Severity Zones comply with the most current version of the California Building Code and California Fire Code.
Policy 3.11: Mandate that all new development meet or exceed Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Articles 1–5 (starting with Section 1270) (SRA Fire Safe Regulations), and Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, Article 3 (starting with Section 1299.01) (Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and Structures Regulations), for State Responsibility Areas and/or Very High Fire Severity Zones.
Existing Development
Policy 3.12: Increase resilience of existing development in high-risk areas built prior to modern fire safety codes or wildfire hazard mitigation guidance.
Policy 3.13: Mandate that public and private landowners for all existing land uses comply with all applicable state and local requirements and implement site-specific safety measures that mitigate to a low-risk condition around or near public facilities, infrastructure, and natural resources.
Policy 3.14: Provide information regarding defensible space and building retrofits to achieve a lowrisk condition.
Policy 3.15: Require public and private landowners to minimize the risk of wildfire moving from wildland areas to developed properties or from property to property by increasing structural hardening measures (e.g., fire-rated roofing and fire-resistant construction materials and techniques), maintaining and improving defensible space on site, and supporting vegetation management in adjacent undeveloped areas.
Policy 3.16: Require structures with fire protection sprinkler systems to provide for outside alarm notification.
Policy 3.17: Mitigate existing non-conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards (e.g., road standards, vegetative hazards). Support state legislation that would provide tax incentives to encourage the repair or demolition of structures that could be considered fire hazards.
Policy 3.5: Prohibit land uses that could place occupants at unreasonable risk in High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, such as areas with large events or assembly of people and healthcare facilities.
Policy 3.6: Encourage the use of conservation easements or establish a Transfer of Development Rights Program in undeveloped wildland areas within High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Policy 3.7: Require the installation of fire hydrants and establishment of emergency vehicle access, notably before construction with combustible materials can begin on an approved project.
Policy 3.8: Require emergency access routes in developments to be adequately wide to allow the entry and maneuvering of emergency vehicles to ensure that new development has adequate fire protection.
Policy 3.9: Mandate that proposed development satisfy the minimum structural fire protection standards in the adopted edition of the California Building Standards Code and California Fire Code; however, where deemed appropriate, the City of Santee shall enhance the minimum standards to provide optimum protection.
Policy 3.10: Mandate that all new development in the Very High Fire Severity Zones comply with the most current version of the California Building Code and California Fire Code.
Policy 3.11: Mandate that all new development meet or exceed Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Articles 1-5 (starting with Section 1270) (SRA Fire Safe Regulations), and Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 3, Article 3 (starting with Section 1299.01) (Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and Structures Regulations), for State Responsibility Areas and/or Very High Fire Severity Zones.
Existing Development
Policy 3.12: Increase resilience of existing development in high-risk areas built prior to modern fire safety codes or wildfire hazard mitigation guidance.
Policy 3.13: Mandate that public and private landowners for all existing land uses comply with all applicable state and local requirements and implement site-specific safety measures that mitigate to a low-risk condition around or near public facilities, infrastructure, and natural resources.
Policy 3.14: Provide information regarding defensible space and building retrofits to achieve a lowrisk condition.
Policy 3.15: Require public and private landowners to minimize the risk of wildfire moving from wildland areas to developed properties or from property to property by increasing structural hardening measures (e.g., fire-rated roofing and fire-resistant construction materials and techniques), maintaining and improving defensible space on site, and supporting vegetation management in adjacent undeveloped areas.
Policy 3.16: Require structures with fire protection sprinkler systems to provide for outside alarm notification.
Policy 3.17: Mitigate existing non-conforming development to contemporary fire safe standards (e.g., road standards, vegetative hazards). Support state legislation that would provide tax incentives to encourage the repair or demolition of structures that could be considered fire hazards.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Infill Development
Policy 3.18: Prioritize infill development within the existing developed footprint to avoid hazardous areas and support emergency response times.
Policy 3.19: Ensure that all infill development projects within State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are required to comply with applicable state or local fire safety and defensible space regulations or standards and any applicable fire protection or risk reduction measures identified in locally adopted plans.
Policy 3.20: Ensure that discretionary infill projects may be required to prepare a project-specific fire hazard and risk assessment and incorporate project-specific risk reduction measures, subject to the determination and approval of the Fire Marshal.
All Development
Policy 3.21: Support the continuation of long-term maintenance of fire hazard reduction projects, such as a weed abatement program (existing), community fire breaks, and private and public road clearance.
Policy 3.22: Ensure that the distribution of fire hydrants and capacity of water lines is adequate through periodic review. Collaborate with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District to ensure that the City’s water supply location and long-term integrity are sufficient and future water supply needs are met.
Policy 3.23: Encourage and support the delivery of a high level of emergency services through cooperation with other agencies and use of available financial opportunities.
Policy 3.24: Encourage the continued development, implementation, and public awareness of fire prevention programs.
Policy 3.25: The Santee Fire Department shall continue to be involved in the review of development applications to minimize fire hazards. Considerations shall be given to adequate emergency access, driveway widths, turning radii, future water supply needs, fire hydrant locations, needed fire flow requirements, street addressing, and signage.
Policy 3.26: Coordinate with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District on future water supply needs and existing water infrastructure constraints and deficiencies that could affect the City’s ability to meet fire flow requirements.
Policy 3.27: Ensure that the timing of additional fire station construction or renovation (or new services) relates to the rise of service demand in Santee and surrounding areas.
Policy 3.28: Ensure that re-development after a large fire complies with the requirements for construction in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for fire safety.
Policy 3.29: Ensure that the planning and design of re-development in very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones minimizes the risks of wildfire and includes adequate provisions for vegetation management, emergency access, and firefighting while also complying with current fire codes.
Policy 3.30: Support mutual aid agreements and communications links with the County of San Diego and the other municipalities participating in the Unified San Diego County Emergency Service Organization.
Infill Development
Policy 3.18: Prioritize infill development within the existing developed footprint to avoid hazardous areas and support emergency response times.
Policy 3.19: Ensure that all infill development projects within State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones are required to comply with applicable state or local fire safety and defensible space regulations or standards and any applicable fire protection or risk reduction measures identified in locally adopted plans.
Policy 3.20: Ensure that discretionary infill projects may be required to prepare a project-specific fire hazard and risk assessment and incorporate project-specific risk reduction measures, subject to the determination and approval of the Fire Marshal.
All Development
Policy 3.21: Support the continuation of long-term maintenance of fire hazard reduction projects, such as a weed abatement program (existing), community fire breaks, and private and public road clearance.
Policy 3.22: Ensure that the distribution of fire hydrants and capacity of water lines is adequate through periodic review. Collaborate with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District to ensure that the City’s water supply location and long-term integrity are sufficient and future water supply needs are met.
Policy 3.23: Encourage and support the delivery of a high level of emergency services through cooperation with other agencies and use of available financial opportunities.
Policy 3.24: Encourage the continued development, implementation, and public awareness of fire prevention programs.
Policy 3.25: The Santee Fire Department shall continue to be involved in the review of development applications to minimize fire hazards. Considerations shall be given to adequate emergency access, driveway widths, turning radii, future water supply needs, fire hydrant locations, needed fire flow requirements, street addressing, and signage.
Policy 3.26: Coordinate with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District on future water supply needs and existing water infrastructure constraints and deficiencies that could affect the City’s ability to meet fire flow requirements.
Policy 3.27: Ensure that the timing of additional fire station construction or renovation (or new services) relates to the rise of service demand in Santee and surrounding areas.
Policy 3.28: Ensure that re-development after a large fire complies with the requirements for construction in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones for fire safety.
Policy 3.29: Ensure that the planning and design of re-development in very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones minimizes the risks of wildfire and includes adequate provisions for vegetation management, emergency access, and firefighting while also complying with current fire codes.
Policy 3.30: Support mutual aid agreements and communications links with the County of San Diego and the other municipalities participating in the Unified San Diego County Emergency Service Organization.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 3.31: Provide adequate staffing, equipment, technology, training, and funding for the Santee Fire Department to meet the existing and projected service demands and response times.
Goal 2: Improve the City of Santee’s capacity to prevent and respond to criminal activities.
Objective 4: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage and losses resulting from criminal activities.
Policies
Policy 4.1: Encourage citizen and business participation in the Neighborhood Watch Program and the “Safe Santee” program and promote the establishment of new neighborhood watch programs to encourage community participation in the patrol and to promote the awareness of suspicious activity.
Policy 4.2: Incorporate Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles into site planning for new developments, publicly owned spaces and renovations of existing developments, considering the concepts of defensible space, surveillance, territoriality, access control, and maintenance.
Policy 4.3: Encourage the upgrading of building security requirements.
Policy 4.4: Continue to involve law enforcement personnel in the review of new development applications through participation in the Development Review process.
Policy 4.5: Ensure that structures are adequately identified by street address and lighted sufficiently to deter criminal activity.
Policy 4.6: Work with the school districts in the establishment of a permanent School Resource Officer program or similar measure to provide a law enforcement presence at City schools.
Policy 4.7: Support the County of San Diego’s efforts to relocate the existing Las Colinas jail as part of a state-of-the-art consolidated justice facility to be located elsewhere on the County’s Town Center Property.
Policy 4.8: Ensure that critical facilities, hazardous facilities, and special occupancy structures are located and designed to be functional in an event of a disaster. These facilities and structures include fire and police stations, hospitals, communication centers, schools, churches, and other high occupancy structures.
Policy 3.31: Provide adequate staffing, equipment, technology, training, and funding for the Santee Fire Department to meet the existing and projected service demands and response times.
Goal 2: Improve the City of Santee’s capacity to prevent and respond to criminal activities.
Objective 4: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage and losses resulting from criminal activities.
Policies
Policy 4.1: Encourage citizen and business participation in the Neighborhood Watch Program and the “Safe Santee” program and promote the establishment of new neighborhood watch programs to encourage community participation in the patrol and to promote the awareness of suspicious activity.
Policy 4.2: Incorporate Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles into site planning for new developments, publicly owned spaces and renovations of existing developments, considering the concepts of defensible space, surveillance, territoriality, access control, and maintenance.
Policy 4.3: Encourage the upgrading of building security requirements.
Policy 4.4: Continue to involve law enforcement personnel in the review of new development applications through participation in the Development Review process.
Policy 4.5: Ensure that structures are adequately identified by street address and lighted sufficiently to deter criminal activity.
Policy 4.6: Work with the school districts in the establishment of a permanent School Resource Officer program or similar measure to provide a law enforcement presence at City schools.
Policy 4.7: Support the County of San Diego’s efforts to relocate the existing Las Colinas jail as part of a state-of-the-art consolidated justice facility to be located elsewhere on the County’s Town Center Property.
Policy 4.8: Ensure that critical facilities, hazardous facilities, and special occupancy structures are located and designed to be functional in an event of a disaster. These facilities and structures include fire and police stations, hospitals, communication centers, schools, churches, and other high occupancy structures.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Goal 3: Improve public safety and minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from transportation-related hazards.
Objective 5: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from traffic hazards.
Policies
Policy 5.1: Continue to review traffic safety problems annually and enforcement of parking regulations.
Policy 5.2: Promote the use of traffic control devices such as signals, medians, and other street design measures along busy roadways to regulate, warn, and guide traffic, thereby diminishing traffic hazards.
Policy 5.3: Encourage ridesharing and the use of transit and other transportation systems management programs to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled and traffic congestion.
Policy 5.4: Preclude through-city truck traffic on local roadways and limit truck routes through Santee to principal and major arterial roadways.
Policy 5.5: Promote the establishment of shared driveways and reciprocal access between adjoining properties to reduce the number of curb cuts and conflicting traffic movements on major roads.
Objective 6: Improve the safety and functionality of light-rail transit.
Policies
Policy 6.1: Consider methods of improving service safety along and across the trolley line in coordination with San Diego Association of Governments, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, and other relevant agencies.
Policy 6.2: Coordinate with San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to encourage transit stops in areas serving vulnerable populations, such as near senior housing projects, medical facilities, major employment centers, and mixed-use areas.
Objective 7: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from airport hazards.
Policies
Policy 7.1: Continue reviewing all development proposed in the Gillespie Field Airport Influence Areas using the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, which provides guidance on appropriate land uses surrounding airports to protect the health and safety of people and property within the vicinity of an airport. Ensure consistency determinations are received from the Airport Land Use Commission to ensure that design features are incorporated into the site plan to address identified aircraft safety and noise hazards.
Goal 3: Improve public safety and minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from transportation-related hazards.
Objective 5: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from traffic hazards.
Policies
Policy 5.1: Continue to review traffic safety problems annually and enforcement of parking regulations.
Policy 5.2: Promote the use of traffic control devices such as signals, medians, and other street design measures along busy roadways to regulate, warn, and guide traffic, thereby diminishing traffic hazards.
Policy 5.3: Encourage ridesharing and the use of transit and other transportation systems management programs to reduce the number of vehicle miles traveled and traffic congestion.
Policy 5.4: Preclude through-city truck traffic on local roadways and limit truck routes through Santee to principal and major arterial roadways.
Policy 5.5: Promote the establishment of shared driveways and reciprocal access between adjoining properties to reduce the number of curb cuts and conflicting traffic movements on major roads.
Objective 6: Improve the safety and functionality of light-rail transit.
Policies
Policy 6.1: Consider methods of improving service safety along and across the trolley line in coordination with San Diego Association of Governments, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, and other relevant agencies.
Policy 6.2: Coordinate with San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to encourage transit stops in areas serving vulnerable populations, such as near senior housing projects, medical facilities, major employment centers, and mixed-use areas.
Objective 7: Minimize injuries, loss of life, and property damage resulting from airport hazards.
Policies
Policy 7.1: Continue reviewing all development proposed in the Gillespie Field Airport Influence Areas using the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan, which provides guidance on appropriate land uses surrounding airports to protect the health and safety of people and property within the vicinity of an airport. Ensure consistency determinations are received from the Airport Land Use Commission to ensure that design features are incorporated into the site plan to address identified aircraft safety and noise hazards.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 7.2: Continue to discourage the establishment of additional high-risk uses, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and daycare centers in Airport Safety Zones and receive consistency determinations from the Airport Land Use Commission.
Policy 7.3: Receive final airspace determination from the Federal Aviation Administration for projects in Airport Influence Areas in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Part 77, Safe, Efficient Use, and Preservation of the Navigable Airspace.
Goal 4: Improve the City of Santee’s capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies and hazardous materials incidents.
Objective 8: Ensure the efficient control of emergency operations during natural or human-caused disasters.
Policies
Policy 8.1: Continue to hold periodic disaster exercises in cooperation with the appropriate state and federal agencies.
Policy 8.2: Update the adopted Santee Emergency Operations Plan periodically to ensure the safety of residents, employees, and visitors in times of natural or human-caused disaster.
Policy 8.3: Maintain an Emergency Operations Center to coordinate resources, information, and communication, which would strengthen the City of Santee’s ability to detect and respond to threats.
Objective 9: Minimize the risk of damage to people, property, and the environment caused by hazardous materials.
Policies
Policy 9.1: Continue to implement the County of San Diego’s Hazardous Waste Management Plan or develop and implement an equivalent plan.
Policy 9.2: Continue to participate in the San Diego County Joint Powers Authority Hazardous Materials Response Team in dealing with hazardous materials incidents.
Policy 9.3: Require that any potential hazardous materials issues be fully investigated at the environmental review stage prior to project approval.
Policy 9.4: Review any proposed uses involving the use, transport, storage, or handling of hazardous waste to ensure that such uses will not represent a significant risk to surrounding uses or the environment.
Policy 9.5: Continue to provide for a household hazardous waste collection program for Santee residents as part of the contract with the City of Santee trash franchisee.
Policy 9.6: Control the location, manufacture, storage, or use of hazardous materials in Santee through Zoning Ordinance implementation and the development review process.
Policy 9.7: Encourage safe and proper disposal of household hazardous waste.
Policy 7.2: Continue to discourage the establishment of additional high-risk uses, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and daycare centers in Airport Safety Zones and receive consistency determinations from the Airport Land Use Commission.
Policy 7.3: Receive final airspace determination from the Federal Aviation Administration for projects in Airport Influence Areas in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations, Title 14, Part 77, Safe, Efficient Use, and Preservation of the Navigable Airspace.
Goal 4: Improve the City of Santee’s capacity to prevent and respond to emergencies and hazardous materials incidents.
Objective 8: Ensure the efficient control of emergency operations during natural or human-caused disasters.
Policies
Policy 8.1: Continue to hold periodic disaster exercises in cooperation with the appropriate state and federal agencies.
Policy 8.2: Update the adopted Santee Emergency Operations Plan periodically to ensure the safety of residents, employees, and visitors in times of natural or human-caused disaster.
Policy 8.3: Maintain an Emergency Operations Center to coordinate resources, information, and communication, which would strengthen the City of Santee’s ability to detect and respond to threats.
Objective 9: Minimize the risk of damage to people, property, and the environment caused by hazardous materials.
Policies
Policy 9.1: Continue to implement the County of San Diego’s Hazardous Waste Management Plan or develop and implement an equivalent plan.
Policy 9.2: Continue to participate in the San Diego County Joint Powers Authority Hazardous Materials Response Team in dealing with hazardous materials incidents.
Policy 9.3: Require that any potential hazardous materials issues be fully investigated at the environmental review stage prior to project approval.
Policy 9.4: Review any proposed uses involving the use, transport, storage, or handling of hazardous waste to ensure that such uses will not represent a significant risk to surrounding uses or the environment.
Policy 9.5: Continue to provide for a household hazardous waste collection program for Santee residents as part of the contract with the City of Santee trash franchisee.
Policy 9.6: Control the location, manufacture, storage, or use of hazardous materials in Santee through Zoning Ordinance implementation and the development review process.
Policy 9.7: Encourage safe and proper disposal of household hazardous waste.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 9.8: Promote safe, environmentally sound means of solid waste disposal for the community.
Policy 9.9: Investigate ways to encourage businesses to recycle their waste.
Policy 9.10: Continue to implement the Construction and Demolition Diversion Ordinance as required by Cal Recycle.
Goal 5: Increase Santee’s resiliency to climate change-related impacts.
Objective 10: Build capacity to adapt to climate-related hazards through resilient emergency management and hazard mitigation strategies.
Policies
Policy 10.1: Integrate findings of climate vulnerability into emergency planning, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. In doing so, the City of Santee will respond to any unique challenges in the community identified through the Vulnerability Assessment.
Policy 10.2: Ensure that emergency management activities are conducted equitably and are responsive to the needs of all community members, primarily by communicating emergency plans in many different formats and in multiple languages, as appropriate, and conducting outreach with and to seek feedback from members of the community who face equity issues.
Policy 10.3: Continue to collaborate with local and regional partners to support business resiliency through preparedness education, training, and resources.
Policy 10.4: Collaborate with local, regional, state, and federal partners to provide communitywide outreach to educate people on how to prepare for and recover from climate change effects.
Policy 10.5: Provide information on the benefits of the resiliency of existing residential and commercial development through structural strengthening, fire safe landscaping, and energy efficiency upgrades.
Policy 10.6: Coordinate with transportation agencies to identify local and regional transportation corridors that are at risk from climate change effects while using the best available science and resilient design features to improve resiliency to extreme climate events.
Policy 10.7: Coordinate with regional transit providers to identify alternative routes, stops, and modes of transit if normal infrastructure is damaged or closed because of extreme events.
Policy 10.8: Promote climate preparedness and provide outreach to vulnerable populations.
Objective 11: Increase resiliency to the impacts of extreme heat.
Policies
Policy 11.1: Increase the energy reliability of municipal facilities to withstand increased energy demands.
Policy 11.2: Continue expedited review of building permits for solar equipment and electric vehicle charging stations.
Policy 9.8: Promote safe, environmentally sound means of solid waste disposal for the community.
Policy 9.9: Investigate ways to encourage businesses to recycle their waste.
Policy 9.10: Continue to implement the Construction and Demolition Diversion Ordinance as required by Cal Recycle.
Goal 5: Increase Santee’s resiliency to climate change-related impacts.
Objective 10: Build capacity to adapt to climate-related hazards through resilient emergency management and hazard mitigation strategies.
Policies
Policy 10.1: Integrate findings of climate vulnerability into emergency planning, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. In doing so, the City of Santee will respond to any unique challenges in the community identified through the Vulnerability Assessment.
Policy 10.2: Ensure that emergency management activities are conducted equitably and are responsive to the needs of all community members, primarily by communicating emergency plans in many different formats and in multiple languages, as appropriate, and conducting outreach with and to seek feedback from members of the community who face equity issues.
Policy 10.3: Continue to collaborate with local and regional partners to support business resiliency through preparedness education, training, and resources.
Policy 10.4: Collaborate with local, regional, state, and federal partners to provide communitywide outreach to educate people on how to prepare for and recover from climate change effects.
Policy 10.5: Provide information on the benefits of the resiliency of existing residential and commercial development through structural strengthening, fire safe landscaping, and energy efficiency upgrades.
Policy 10.6: Coordinate with transportation agencies to identify local and regional transportation corridors that are at risk from climate change effects while using the best available science and resilient design features to improve resiliency to extreme climate events.
Policy 10.7: Coordinate with regional transit providers to identify alternative routes, stops, and modes of transit if normal infrastructure is damaged or closed because of extreme events.
Policy 10.8: Promote climate preparedness and provide outreach to vulnerable populations.
Objective 11: Increase resiliency to the impacts of extreme heat.
Policies
Policy 11.1: Increase the energy reliability of municipal facilities to withstand increased energy demands.
Policy 11.2: Continue expedited review of building permits for solar equipment and electric vehicle charging stations.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 11.3: Encourage the conservation of energy during peak demand hours.
Policy 11.4: Promote adequate protection for outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness from extreme conditions.
Policy 11.5: Provide information to the public in cooperation with community-based organizations to ensure that emergency shelters and cooling centers are available during climate events, such as extreme heat events, poor air quality, severe weather events, and other highly hazardous conditions.
Policy 11.6: Encourage shade trees near buildings, in parking lots, and along bike and pedestrian pathways.
Policy 11.7: Promote reverse 911 callsto notify residents of serious heat events or natural disasters and encourage residents to register into the Alert San Diego system.
Objective 12: Increase resiliency to the impacts of wildfire.
Policies
Policy 12.1: Continue to require fire prevention planning and defensible space in all new development within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones or wildland-urban interface.
Policy 12.2: Review development proposals and coordinate with regional transportation agencies, as needed, to ensure that multiple evacuation routes are available under a range of scenarios and to identify alternative routes that are accessible to people without life-supporting resources.
Policy 12.3: Continue to educate the public on the importance of fire safety with information on topics including but not limited to defensible space, evacuation routes, and road clearance, with a focus on reaching at-risk, vulnerable populations.
Policy 12.4: Identify fire-prone habitats to plan for increased risk of larger and more frequent wildfires.
Objective 13: Increase resiliency to the impacts of extreme precipitation.
Policies
Policy 13.1: Continue to encourage the implementation of low-impact development (e.g., rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, green roofs) to reduce flooding.
Policy 13.2: Continue to promote the application of nature-based solutions (e.g., greenways, tree trenches) to improve resilience and preserve biodiversity.
Policy 13.3: Continue to encourage the use of climate-smart landscaped surfaces (e.g., permeable pavement, stormwater parks, green streets) in new and existing development.
Objective 14: Increase resiliency to the impacts of drought.
Policies
Policy 14.1: Provide information on water efficiency and conservation efforts.
Policy 11.3: Encourage the conservation of energy during peak demand hours.
Policy 11.4: Promote adequate protection for outdoor workers and people experiencing homelessness from extreme conditions.
Policy 11.5: Provide information to the public in cooperation with community-based organizations to ensure that emergency shelters and cooling centers are available during climate events, such as extreme heat events, poor air quality, severe weather events, and other highly hazardous conditions.
Policy 11.6: Encourage shade trees near buildings, in parking lots, and along bike and pedestrian pathways.
Policy 11.7: Promote reverse 911 calls to notify residents of serious heat events or natural disasters and encourage residents to register into the Alert San Diego system.
Objective 12: Increase resiliency to the impacts of wildfire.
Policies
Policy 12.1: Continue to require fire prevention planning and defensible space in all new development within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones or wildland-urban interface.
Policy 12.2: Review development proposals and coordinate with regional transportation agencies, as needed, to ensure that multiple evacuation routes are available under a range of scenarios and to identify alternative routes that are accessible to people without life-supporting resources.
Policy 12.3: Continue to educate the public on the importance of fire safety with information on topics including but not limited to defensible space, evacuation routes, and road clearance, with a focus on reaching at-risk, vulnerable populations.
Policy 12.4: Identify fire-prone habitats to plan for increased risk of larger and more frequent wildfires.
Objective 13: Increase resiliency to the impacts of extreme precipitation.
Policies
Policy 13.1: Continue to encourage the implementation of low-impact development (e.g., rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, green roofs) to reduce flooding.
Policy 13.2: Continue to promote the application of nature-based solutions (e.g., greenways, tree trenches) to improve resilience and preserve biodiversity.
Policy 13.3: Continue to encourage the use of climate-smart landscaped surfaces (e.g., permeable pavement, stormwater parks, green streets) in new and existing development.
Objective 14: Increase resiliency to the impacts of drought.
Policies
Policy 14.1: Provide information on water efficiency and conservation efforts.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 14.2: Continue to implement the City of Santee’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance for private and public projects.
Policy 14.3: Provide information on building code requirements for water conservation features (e.g., low-flow toilets, faucets, appliances).
Policy 14.4: Explore programs to expand access to limited water resources for at-risk, vulnerable populations (e.g., people experiencing homelessness).
7.2 Environmental Justice Element
Goal 1: Reduce pollution exposure and improve air quality.
Objective 1: Continue to minimize the potential impact of pollution on disadvantaged communities by mitigating the factors and conditions that contribute to exposure.
Policies
Policy 1.1: Continue to protect natural resources from pollution, such as trash and debris in creeks, rivers, and storm drainage areas, especially in areas where transient populations are prevalent.
Policy 1.2: Increase maintenance of public spaces, such as parks and trails, to protect natural resources from pollution.
Policy 1.3: Continue to reduce the potential danger related to the use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials to an acceptable level of risk.
Policy 1.4: Continue to protect the air, water, soil, and biotic resources from damage by exposure to hazardous materials.
Objective 2: Maintain and improve air quality, especially in areas identified as disadvantaged communities, by defining sources of air pollution and reducing emissions from said sources.
Policies
Policy 2.1: Continue to maintain or improve the current air quality level within the City of Santee’s jurisdiction.
Policy 2.2: Remove particulate matter from mobile source emissions through implementation of the Sustainable Santee Plan’s public transit, active transportation, and electrification strategies.
Policy 2.3: Seek to partner with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and the California Department of Transportation to establish a mitigation program, such as a roadside vegetation barrier program, to reduce the impacts of pollution, notably for homes in the disadvantaged communities bounded by Magnolia Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, and Mission Gorge Road.
Policy 14.2: Continue to implement the City of Santee’s Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance for private and public projects.
Policy 14.3: Provide information on building code requirements for water conservation features (e.g., low-flow toilets, faucets, appliances).
Policy 14.4: Explore programs to expand access to limited water resources for at-risk, vulnerable populations (e.g., people experiencing homelessness).
7.2 Environmental Justice Element
Goal 1; Reduce pollution exposure and improve air quality.
Objective 1: Continue to minimize the potential impact of pollution on disadvantaged communities by mitigating the factors and conditions that contribute to exposure.
Policies
Policy 1.1: Continue to protect natural resources from pollution, such as trash and debris in creeks, rivers, and storm drainage areas, especially in areas where transient populations are prevalent.
Policy 1.2: Increase maintenance of public spaces, such as parks and trails, to protect natural resources from pollution.
Policy 1.3: Continue to reduce the potential danger related to the use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials to an acceptable level of risk.
Policy 1.4: Continue to protect the air, water, soil, and biotic resources from damage by exposure to hazardous materials.
Objective 2: Maintain and improve air quality, especially in areas identified as disadvantaged communities, by defining sources of air pollution and reducing emissions from said sources.
Policies
Policy 2.1: Continue to maintain or improve the current air quality level within the City of Santee’s jurisdiction.
Policy 2.2: Remove particulate matter from mobile source emissions through implementation of the Sustainable Santee Plan’s public transit, active transportation, and electrification strategies.
Policy 2.3: Seek to partner with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District and the California Department of Transportation to establish a mitigation program, such as a roadside vegetation barrier program, to reduce the impacts of pollution, notably for homes in the disadvantaged communities bounded by Magnolia Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, and Mission Gorge Road.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 2.4: Explore creating a program to provide education on how to improve air quality for City residents impacted by air pollutants, especially those living within proximity to Gillespie Field.
Policy 2.5: Seek to partner with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to (1) establish a mitigation program to reduce the impact of air pollution on disadvantaged communities and (2) create targeted permit inspection programs in disadvantaged communities to help ensure enforcement of air quality permits.
Policy 2.6: Create land use patterns that encourage people to bicycle, walk, or use public transit to reduce emissions from mobile sources, such as plans that (1) require vegetative barriers to be included in industrial developments near residential areas in Santee and/or (2) improve tree canopy and promote green infrastructure development in disadvantaged communities, particularly the neighborhoods that do not already have access to green space.
Policy 2.7: Encourage stronger pollution controls at facilities in/near disadvantaged communities, especially the neighborhoods around Magnolia Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, and Mission Gorge Road.
Goal 2: Promote access to public facilities and services.
Objective 3: Promote access to public transit by increasing frequency of buses and trolleys, decreasing travel duration for commuters, and updating system networks to connect riders to priority areas, such as shopping centers, schools, and parks and recreation facilities.
Policies
Policy 3.1: Implement the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan to increase access to diverse, high-quality parks, green space, recreation facilities, and natural environments for disadvantaged communities.
Policy 3.2: Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and the San Diego Association of Governments to encourage transit providers to establish, maintain, and increase frequency of routes to jobs, shopping, schools, daycares, parks, and healthcare facilities that are convenient to the disadvantaged communities in both the southeastern and the southwestern portions of Santee.
Policy 3.3: Promote and support the continued expansion of the San Diego Trolley system that benefits residents of Santee, especially in higher-density areas. Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to ensure that public transportation is provided from disadvantaged communities to commercial and recreational facilities. Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to increase frequency of the Green Line, particularly during weekends, which provides access to and from the City of Santee and the City of San Diego.
Policy 3.4: Encourage the use of alternative transportation modes, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Maintain and implement the policies and recommendations of the Active Santee Plan and the San Diego Association of Governments San Diego Regional Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan to improve safe bicycle and pedestrian access to major destinations.
Policy 2.4: Explore creating a program to provide education on how to improve air quality for City residents impacted by air pollutants, especially those living within proximity to Gillespie Field.
Policy 2.5: Seek to partner with the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to (1) establish a mitigation program to reduce the impact of air pollution on disadvantaged communities and (2) create targeted permit inspection programs in disadvantaged communities to help ensure enforcement of air quality permits.
Policy 2.6: Create land use patterns that encourage people to bicycle, walk, or use public transit to reduce emissions from mobile sources, such as plans that (1) require vegetative barriers to be included in industrial developments near residential areas in Santee and/or (2) improve tree canopy and promote green infrastructure development in disadvantaged communities, particularly the neighborhoods that do not already have access to green space.
Policy 2.7: Encourage stronger pollution controls at facilities in/near disadvantaged communities, especially the neighborhoods around Magnolia Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, and Mission Gorge Road.
Goal 2: Promote access to public facilities and services.
Objective 3: Promote access to public transit by increasing frequency of buses and trolleys, decreasing travel duration for commuters, and updating system networks to connect riders to priority areas, such as shopping centers, schools, and parks and recreation facilities.
Policies
Policy 3.1: Implement the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan to increase access to diverse, high-quality parks, green space, recreation facilities, and natural environments for disadvantaged communities.
Policy 3.2: Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and the San Diego Association of Governments to encourage transit providers to establish, maintain, and increase frequency of routes to jobs, shopping, schools, daycares, parks, and healthcare facilities that are convenient to the disadvantaged communities in both the southeastern and the southwestern portions of Santee.
Policy 3.3: Promote and support the continued expansion of the San Diego Trolley system that benefits residents of Santee, especially in higher-density areas. Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to ensure that public transportation is provided from disadvantaged communities to commercial and recreational facilities. Work with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to increase frequency of the Green Line, particularly during weekends, which provides access to and from the City of Santee and the City of San Diego.
Policy 3.4: Encourage the use of alternative transportation modes, such as walking, cycling, and public transit. Maintain and implement the policies and recommendations of the Active Santee Plan and the San Diego Association of Governments San Diego Regional Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan to improve safe bicycle and pedestrian access to major destinations.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 3.5: Coordinate with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Association of Governments to provide efficient, cost-effective, and responsive systems; multimodal support facilities; and adequate access near and to and from transit stops for bicyclists and pedestrians, including children and youth, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Policy 3.6: Encourage and provide ridesharing, park and ride, and other similar commuter programs that eliminate vehicles from freeways and arterial roadways. Encourage businesses to provide flexible work schedules for employees and employers to offer shared commute programs and/or incentives for employees to use public transit.
Policy 3.7: Work to increase public transit ridership among transit-dependent populations by providing greater access to public transit throughout Santee.
Objective 4: Improve the quality of public facilities and promote equitable access to community (public) spaces.
Policies
Policy 4.1: Prioritize seeking public funding to upgrade public facilities in disadvantaged communities, particularly the neighborhoods around Magnolia Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, and Mission Gorge Road.
Policy 4.2: Continue the City of Santee’s maintenance and operation of parks and other recreational spaces throughout Santee, especially in the regions along the river, with more frequency. Provide and maintain the highest level of service possible for all community public services and facilities.
Policy 4.3: Continue to evaluate current agreements and work to improve joint-use agreements with schools for access to indoor facilities and use of fields to adopt a more cooperative approach to providing services to the community.
Policy 4.4: Explore providing more community centers throughout Santee, especially in residential areas that lack a community center within walking distance from home, such as the southwestern areas of Santee.
Policy 4.5: Prioritize new investments in community-building facilities that will foster a sense of belonging among its residents.
Objective 5: Continue to create a “livable community” by offering supportive community programs and services, providing alternative transportation choices, and promoting equitable, affordable housing.
Policies
Policy 5.1: Create a vibrant town center by developing a connected system of multi-modal corridors that encourages walking, biking, and riding public transit. A mobility hub should be considered at the existing Santee Trolley Square to provide features such as bike-share, bike parking, car-share, neighborhood electric vehicles, real-time traveler information, demand‐based Policy 3.5: Coordinate with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System and San Diego Association of Governments to provide efficient, cost-effective, and responsive systems; multimodal support facilities; and adequate access near and to and from transit stops for bicyclists and pedestrians, including children and youth, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Policy 3.6: Encourage and provide ridesharing, park and ride, and other similar commuter programs that eliminate vehicles from freeways and arterial roadways. Encourage businesses to provide flexible work schedules for employees and employers to offer shared commute programs and/or incentives for employees to use public transit.
Policy 3.7: Work to increase public transit ridership among transit-dependent populations by providing greater access to public transit throughout Santee.
Objective 4: Improve the quality of public facilities and promote equitable access to community (public) spaces.
Policies
Policy 4.1: Prioritize seeking public funding to upgrade public facilities in disadvantaged communities, particularly the neighborhoods around Magnolia Avenue, Prospect Avenue, Cuyamaca Street, and Mission Gorge Road.
Policy 4.2: Continue the City of Santee’s maintenance and operation of parks and other recreational spaces throughout Santee, especially in the regions along the river, with more frequency. Provide and maintain the highest level of service possible for all community public services and facilities.
Policy 4.3: Continue to evaluate current agreements and work to improve joint-use agreements with schools for access to indoor facilities and use of fields to adopt a more cooperative approach to providing services to the community.
Policy 4.4: Explore providing more community centers throughout Santee, especially in residential areas that lack a community center within walking distance from home, such as the southwestern areas of Santee.
Policy 4.5: Prioritize new investments in community-building facilities that will foster a sense of belonging among its residents.
Objective 5: Continue to create a “livable community” by offering supportive community programs and services, providing alternative transportation choices, and promoting equitable, affordable housing.
Policies
Policy 5.1: Create a vibrant town center by developing a connected system of multi-modal corridors that encourages walking, biking, and riding public transit. A mobility hub should be considered at the existing Santee Trolley Square to provide features such as bike-share, bike parking, car-share, neighborhood electric vehicles, real-time traveler information, demand-based
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
shuttle services, wayfinding signage, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and urban design enhancements.
Policy 5.2: Continue to implement the Santee Town Center Specific Plan, which provides retail commercial, office, recreational, and other appropriate uses to establish a focal point for Santee.
Policy 5.3: Allow for the development of a wide range of commercial and residential building and structure types in Santee and ensure that development in Santee is consistent with the overall community character and contributes positively to Santee’s image.
Policy 5.4: Ensure that industrial uses are compatible with adjacent land uses, ensure that natural and human-induced hazards are adequately addressed in the location and intensity of development in Santee, and minimize land use conflicts between land uses in adjacent areas and existing and planned land uses in Santee.
Policy 5.5: Continue to increase sidewalks, crosswalks, and safety for people who walk and/or use mobility devices, such as wheelchairs.
Policy 5.6: Implement the Complete Streets Policy in the Santee General Plan Mobility Element.
Policy 5.7: Continue to plan for and implement a comprehensive network of safe pedestrian facilities to promote pedestrian travel.
Policy 5.8: Continue to design pedestrian walkways in a way that promotes walking by providing a safe, aesthetically pleasing path of travel.
Policy 5.9: Maintain access for pedestrian travel where it already exists and provide it where it does not to prevent or eliminate barriers to pedestrian travel.
Policy 5.10: Coordinate with local school districts and nonprofit organizations to improve access and resources to engage in active forms of transportation (e.g., bicycles, skates, helmets, and related equipment) for disadvantaged communities.
Goal 3: Promote access to physical activity and recreational opportunities.
Objective 6: Improve access to and connectivity between community services, including group meetings, recreation programs, and health classes.
Policies
Policy 6.1: Continue to provide a comprehensive program of recreational services for all ages, with an emphasis on programs for children and youth.
Policy 6.2: Continue to consider alternative recreation programs, such as providing basketball equipment to private groups, using church and commercial center facilities, and closing streets to through-traffic, where feasible, in neighborhoods with park deficiencies.
Policy 6.3: Provide readily accessible meeting space and inclusive programming at the community centers to meet the needs of people of all ages, physical conditions, and socioeconomic situations, especially Santee’s diverse communities, including but not limited to the art and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
shuttle services, wayfinding signage, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, and urban design enhancements.
Policy 5.2: Continue to implement the Santee Town Center Specific Plan, which provides retail commercial, office, recreational, and other appropriate uses to establish a focal point for Santee.
Policy 5.3: Allow for the development of a wide range of commercial and residential building and structure types in Santee and ensure that development in Santee is consistent with the overall community character and contributes positively to Santee’s image.
Policy 5.4: Ensure that industrial uses are compatible with adjacent land uses, ensure that natural and human-induced hazards are adequately addressed in the location and intensity of development in Santee, and minimize land use conflicts between land uses in adjacent areas and existing and planned land uses in Santee.
Policy 5.5: Continue to increase sidewalks, crosswalks, and safety for people who walk and/or use mobility devices, such as wheelchairs.
Policy 5.6: Implement the Complete Streets Policy in the Santee General Plan Mobility Element.
Policy 5.7: Continue to plan for and implement a comprehensive network of safe pedestrian facilities to promote pedestrian travel.
Policy 5.8: Continue to design pedestrian walkways in a way that promotes walking by providing a safe, aesthetically pleasing path of travel.
Policy 5.9: Maintain access for pedestrian travel where it already exists and provide it where it does not to prevent or eliminate barriers to pedestrian travel.
Policy 5.10: Coordinate with local school districts and nonprofit organizations to improve access and resources to engage in active forms of transportation (e.g., bicycles, skates, helmets, and related equipment) for disadvantaged communities.
Goal 3: Promote access to physical activity and recreational opportunities.
Objective 6: Improve access to and connectivity between community services, including group meetings, recreation programs, and health classes.
Policies
Policy 6.1: Continue to provide a comprehensive program of recreational services for all ages, with an emphasis on programs for children and youth.
Policy 6.2: Continue to consider alternative recreation programs, such as providing basketball equipment to private groups, using church and commercial center facilities, and closing streets to through-traffic, where feasible, in neighborhoods with park deficiencies.
Policy 6.3: Provide readily accessible meeting space and inclusive programming at the community centers to meet the needs of people of all ages, physical conditions, and socioeconomic situations, especially Santee’s diverse communities, including but not limited to the art and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 6.4: Encourage service clubs, civic groups, individual donors, and others to help develop recreational facilities. Encourage private employee recreation in business and industrial areas to provide recreational opportunities for employees.
Policy 6.5: Consider providing affordable and free educational programming in disadvantaged communities to highlight practices that can improve one’s health, such as physical activity and healthy eating.
Policy 6.6: Actively seek public and private funding sources to support recreation development, programs, and operation in the process of reviewing recreation programming to ensure that recreation programs reach all segments of the community.
Policy 6.7: Collaborate with organizations like California Walks to improve active transportation in Santee through policy, project, and program development and implementation; grant writing; and neighborhood needs assessments.
Objective 7: Continue to create green spaces, such as community gardens, open spaces, and public parks, that support food education, promote healthy lifestyles, and foster community building.
Policies
Policy 7.1: Continue to create safe, attractive spaces for recreation, including well-lit parks and pedestrian paths, through implementation of the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which is a roadmap used to address the need for additional trails for activities such as biking and hiking to improve connectivity throughout the Santee and to provide a system of public parks and recreation facilities that serve the residents of Santee.
Policy 7.2: Continue to provide adequate recreational acreage and facilities in all areas of Santee by identifying vacant lots and underused public land that can be turned into neighborhood-run community gardens. Provide additional park and recreational facilities for Santee residents, which could include a combination of local parks, trails, school playgrounds, and other public facilities that meet part of the need for local recreational facilities.
Policy 7.3: Encourage the development of a San Diego River Park with passive recreation uses throughout Santee as part of an overall master plan concept for the entire San Diego River.
Encourage the inclusion of recreational facilities in all mixed land use developments, especially in the Santee Trolley Square Town Center.
Policy 7.4: Locate mini-parks in the built-up areas of Santee where recreational facilities are needed and where available land is limited. Pursue the development of additional publicly owned parks and recreation facilities that are distributed throughout Santee to meet the needs of all residents.
Policy 7.5: Continue and expand the City of Santee’s community garden program and provide information on how existing community gardens operate and how residents can get involved.
Policy 7.6: Assess and, if feasible, develop open land for community gardens.
Policy 6.4: Encourage service clubs, civic groups, individual donors, and others to help develop recreational facilities. Encourage private employee recreation in business and industrial areas to provide recreational opportunities for employees.
Policy 6.5: Consider providing affordable and free educational programming in disadvantaged communities to highlight practices that can improve one’s health, such as physical activity and healthy eating.
Policy 6.6: Actively seek public and private funding sources to support recreation development, programs, and operation in the process of reviewing recreation programming to ensure that recreation programs reach all segments of the community.
Policy 6.7: Collaborate with organizations like California Walks to improve active transportation in Santee through policy, project, and program development and implementation; grant writing; and neighborhood needs assessments.
Objective 7: Continue to create green spaces, such as community gardens, open spaces, and public parks, that support food education, promote healthy lifestyles, and foster community building.
Policies
Policy 7.1: Continue to create safe, attractive spaces for recreation, including well-lit parks and pedestrian paths, through implementation of the Santee Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which is a roadmap used to address the need for additional trails for activities such as biking and hiking to improve connectivity throughout the Santee and to provide a system of public parks and recreation facilities that serve the residents of Santee.
Policy 7.2: Continue to provide adequate recreational acreage and facilities in all areas of Santee by identifying vacant lots and underused public land that can be turned into neighborhood-run community gardens. Provide additional park and recreational facilities for Santee residents, which could include a combination of local parks, trails, school playgrounds, and other public facilities that meet part of the need for local recreational facilities.
Policy 7.3: Encourage the development of a San Diego River Park with passive recreation uses throughout Santee as part of an overall master plan concept for the entire San Diego River.
Encourage the inclusion of recreational facilities in all mixed land use developments, especially in the Santee Trolley Square Town Center.
Policy 7.4: Locate mini-parks in the built-up areas of Santee where recreational facilities are needed and where available land is limited. Pursue the development of additional publicly owned parks and recreation facilities that are distributed throughout Santee to meet the needs of all residents.
Policy 7.5: Continue and expand the City of Santee’s community garden program and provide information on how existing community gardens operate and how residents can get involved.
Policy 7.6: Assess and, if feasible, develop open land for community gardens.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 7.7: Identify and implement opportunities to incorporate open spaces suitable for community gardens into larger development projects.
Objective 8: Continue to create a “livable community” by investing in environmental education initiatives and streetscape beautification projects.
Policies
Policy 8.1: Consider creating an environmental education program that will include the following to encourage the appreciation of Santee’s natural resources:
• Development of trails, interpretive signs, and overlooks at public parks adjacent to sensitive environments
• Encouragement of private environmental organizations to sponsor wetlands enhancement programs and to provide docents for wetlands tours
• Coordination with school districts to use specified areas as outdoor learning laboratories Policy 8.2: Consider developing and implementing a Green Infrastructure Plan, including a combination of stormwater features, habitat, trees, and other greenery.
Policy 8.3: Identify strategies for grassroots implementation of green infrastructure and restoration by Santee residents, such as through the promotion of eco-literacy with a focus on urban gardening.
Goal 4: Promote access to healthcare.
Objective 9: Expand healthcare access and readiness by working with partners at the regional, state, and federal levels to increase affordability of physical and mental healthcare services.
Policies
Policy 9.1: Encourage new healthcare facilities, including mental health facilities, to locate to Santee, with a focus on areas where residents lack health insurance or are underinsured, such as the southwestern portion of Santee.
Policy 9.2: Encourage existing healthcare organizations to provide safety improvement and service enhancements, as needed, to implement new technologies and best industry practices.
Policy 9.3: Explore partnerships with local and regional healthcare providers to provide free community healthcare and dental screenings and services throughout the year, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Policy 7.7: Identify and implement opportunities to incorporate open spaces suitable for community gardens into larger development projects.
Objective 8: Continue to create a “livable community” by investing in environmental! education initiatives and streetscape beautification projects.
Policies
Policy 8.1: Consider creating an environmental education program that will include the following to encourage the appreciation of Santee’s natural resources:
e Development of trails, interpretive signs, and overlooks at public parks adjacent to sensitive environments
e Encouragement of private environmental organizations to sponsor wetlands enhancement programs and to provide docents for wetlands tours
e Coordination with school districts to use specified areas as outdoor learning laboratories Policy 8.2: Consider developing and implementing a Green Infrastructure Plan, including a combination of stormwater features, habitat, trees, and other greenery.
Policy 8.3: Identify strategies for grassroots implementation of green infrastructure and restoration by Santee residents, such as through the promotion of eco-literacy with a focus on urban gardening.
Goal 4: Promote access to healthcare.
Objective 9: Expand healthcare access and readiness by working with partners at the regional, state, and federal levels to increase affordability of physical and mental healthcare services.
Policies
Policy 9.1: Encourage new healthcare facilities, including mental health facilities, to locate to Santee, with a focus on areas where residents lack health insurance or are underinsured, such as the southwestern portion of Santee.
Policy 9.2: Encourage existing healthcare organizations to provide safety improvement and service enhancements, as needed, to implement new technologies and best industry practices.
Policy 9.3: Explore partnerships with local and regional healthcare providers to provide free community healthcare and dental screenings and services throughout the year, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Goal 5: Improve access to healthy food.
Objective 10: Improve the nutrition and overall health of the population by expanding the already existing network of food banks and meal sites into neighborhoods with disadvantaged communities.
Policies
Policy 10.1: Encourage the establishment and operation of additional farmers markets, farm stands, ethnic markets, mobile health food markets, and convenience/corner stores that sell healthy foods, including fresh produce where feasible and appropriate.
Policy 10.2: Encourage new developments to include a healthy food supply or edible garden (e.g., urban garden).
Policy 10.3: Work with nonprofits to expand and diversify alternative food access points, such as farmers markets and community-supported agriculture, and other healthy and local food distribution models.
Policy 10.4: Prioritize healthy food supplies in economic development efforts, especially in areas where a healthy food supply, farmers market, or community garden is not within a half mile of residential areas.
Policy 10.5: Work with food banks that serve the Santee community to maintain them as a food source to Santee residents, farmworkers, and youth.
Policy 10.6: Provide healthy food options at all municipal buildings and at City of Santee events where food is made available by the City.
Policy 10.7: Find incentives that encourage school districts to develop a program that integrates gardening and nutrition, making the connection between healthy food choices and fresh, locally grown produce.
Policy 10.8: Utilize the City of Santee’s social media and newsletter to promote messages regarding healthy eating habits and food choices and information about food assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Goal 6: Improve access to safe and sanitary homes.
Objective 11: Continue to ensure community health and well-being by supporting rehabilitation programs, enforcing municipal codes, and supporting affordable housing projects that allow for members of disadvantaged communities, such as low-income residents, to live in safe, healthy housing.
Policies
Policy 11.1: Continue to support and coordinate with social service providers and regional agencies to address the housing-related needs of Santee residents, particularly those with special needs.
Goal 5: Improve access to healthy food.
Objective 10: Improve the nutrition and overall health of the population by expanding the already existing network of food banks and meal! sites into neighborhoods with disadvantaged communities.
Policies
Policy 10.1: Encourage the establishment and operation of additional farmers markets, farm stands, ethnic markets, mobile health food markets, and convenience/corner stores that sell healthy foods, including fresh produce where feasible and appropriate.
Policy 10.2: Encourage new developments to include a healthy food supply or edible garden (e.g., urban garden).
Policy 10.3: Work with nonprofits to expand and diversify alternative food access points, such as farmers markets and community-supported agriculture, and other healthy and local food distribution models.
Policy 10.4: Prioritize healthy food supplies in economic development efforts, especially in areas where a healthy food supply, farmers market, or community garden is not within a half mile of residential areas.
Policy 10.5: Work with food banks that serve the Santee community to maintain them as a food source to Santee residents, farmworkers, and youth.
Policy 10.6: Provide healthy food options at all municipal buildings and at City of Santee events where food is made available by the City.
Policy 10.7: Find incentives that encourage school districts to develop a program that integrates gardening and nutrition, making the connection between healthy food choices and fresh, locally grown produce.
Policy 10.8: Utilize the City of Santee’s social media and newsletter to promote messages regarding healthy eating habits and food choices and information about food assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Goal 6: Improve access to safe and sanitary homes.
Objective 11: Continue to ensure community health and well-being by supporting rehabilitation programs, enforcing municipal codes, and supporting affordable housing projects that allow for members of disadvantaged communities, such as low-income residents, to live in safe, healthy housing.
Policies
Policy 11.1: Continue to support and coordinate with social service providers and regional agencies to address the housing-related needs of Santee residents, particularly those with special needs.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Continue the operation of the Residential Rehabilitation Program, which offers a limited amount of low-interest, deferred loans to income-eligible homeowners to facilitate home improvements and/or correct any health and safety or building code violations.
Policy 11.2: Continue to prioritize and enforce the existing Buildings and Construction Code based on safety and blight as required through existing—and, if necessary, expanded—code enforcement efforts. Continue to use the City of Santee’s Code Compliance Program to bring substandard units into compliance with City of Santee codes and to improve overall housing quality and neighborhood conditions in Santee.
Policy 11.3: Continue to use HOME Investment Partnerships and other funding sources to assist residents with extremely low, very low, and low incomes with housing rehabilitation Citywide.
Develop and maintain collaborative efforts among nonprofits, for-profit developers, and public agencies to encourage the development, maintenance, and improvement of affordable housing.
Policy 11.4: Continue to provide information to the public regarding resources for housing repairs for single-family homes, multi-family properties, and mobile or manufactured homes to address unsafe and unhealthy conditions in neighborhoods.
Policy 11.5: Continue to educate and/or provide resources and weatherization (i.e., weatherproofing) measures that can improve housing conditions and reduce energy costs.
Objective 12: Increase affordable housing so households can put their income toward other goods and services, healthcare needs, and basic necessities and so households can avoid overcrowding, displacement of residents, and increased homelessness.
Policies
Policy 12.1: Address housing affordability through the Housing Element and Land Use Element to optimize land use for housing and to encourage affordable housing development.
Policy 12.2: Consider establishing a Community Revitalization and Investment Authority in the Santee Town Center area that would allow the City of Santee to use a portion of the property tax increment generated in that area to develop affordable housing and otherwise support Santee Town Center community revitalization projects.
Policy 12.3 Encourage both the private and public sectors to produce or assist in the production of housing, with particular emphasis on housing affordable to lower-income households, including extremely low-income households, and housing suitable for people with disabilities, older adults, large families, and female-headed household.
Policy 12.4: Ensure that all new housing development and redevelopment in Santee is properly phased in amount and geographic location so that City of Santee services and facilities can accommodate growth.
Policy 12.5: Coordinate with affordable housing developers and social service providers in Santee to provide Santee residents with education on how to qualify and apply for affordable housing and other housing-related needs.
Continue the operation of the Residential Rehabilitation Program, which offers a limited amount of low-interest, deferred loans to income-eligible homeowners to facilitate home improvements and/or correct any health and safety or building code violations.
Policy 11.2: Continue to prioritize and enforce the existing Buildings and Construction Code based on safety and blight as required through existing—and, if necessary, expanded—code enforcement efforts. Continue to use the City of Santee’s Code Compliance Program to bring substandard units into compliance with City of Santee codes and to improve overall housing quality and neighborhood conditions in Santee.
Policy 11.3: Continue to use HOME Investment Partnerships and other funding sources to assist residents with extremely low, very low, and low incomes with housing rehabilitation Citywide.
Develop and maintain collaborative efforts among nonprofits, for-profit developers, and public agencies to encourage the development, maintenance, and improvement of affordable housing.
Policy 11.4: Continue to provide information to the public regarding resources for housing repairs for single-family homes, multi-family properties, and mobile or manufactured homes to address unsafe and unhealthy conditions in neighborhoods.
Policy 11.5: Continue to educate and/or provide resources and weatherization (i.e., weatherproofing) measures that can improve housing conditions and reduce energy costs.
Objective 12: Increase affordable housing so households can put their income toward other goods and services, healthcare needs, and basic necessities and so households can avoid overcrowding, displacement of residents, and increased homelessness.
Policies
Policy 12.1: Address housing affordability through the Housing Element and Land Use Element to optimize land use for housing and to encourage affordable housing development.
Policy 12.2: Consider establishing a Community Revitalization and Investment Authority in the Santee Town Center area that would allow the City of Santee to use a portion of the property tax increment generated in that area to develop affordable housing and otherwise support Santee Town Center community revitalization projects.
Policy 12.3 Encourage both the private and public sectors to produce or assist in the production of housing, with particular emphasis on housing affordable to lower-income households, including extremely low-income households, and housing suitable for people with disabilities, older adults, large families, and female-headed household.
Policy 12.4: Ensure that all new housing development and redevelopment in Santee is properly phased in amount and geographic location so that City of Santee services and facilities can accommodate growth.
Policy 12.5: Coordinate with affordable housing developers and social service providers in Santee to provide Santee residents with education on how to qualify and apply for affordable housing and other housing-related needs.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 12.6: Increase affordable homeownership opportunities for Santee’s low-income households and provide free homeownership education programs.
Policy 12.7: Collaborate with local social service providers to address the needs of Santee’s homeless population.
Goal 7: Promote community involvement in decisions.
Objective 13: Increase community involvement and participation in defining community needs, establishing local priorities, and creating programs to meet these needs.
Policies
Policy 13.1: Establish and clearly communicate the purpose of outreach efforts and the role the public shall play in decisions or outcomes through the City of Santee’s social media and newsletter to share updates, resources, and other information from the City of Santee.
Policy 13.2: Consider providing multi-lingual requirements for published City of Santee notices and materials, meetings, and facilitation events, where appropriate.
Policy 13.3: Leverage online tools for community engagement when beneficial, including videos and podcasts, e-comments, online forums, interactive web-based mapping, interactive planning, and tools that allow community members to use data and create their own reports. Consider instituting broadband initiatives, such as providing laptops or internet hotspots to the households in Santee affected by inadequate internet access (i.e., “digitally divided” households).
Policy 13.4: Leverage offline tools for community engagement and continue to work with local media services, such as television and radio stations, to ensure adequate public awareness of events, City of Santee resources, recreation opportunities, and policy decisions under consideration.
Policy 13.5: Collaborate with community-based organizations that have relationships, trust, and cultural competency with target communities to outreach for local initiatives and issues.
Policy 13.6: Continue to hold meetings and other public engagement forums at accessible locations and times to include a wide range of residents. Consider holding virtual meetings alongside in-person meetings to enable more residents and other stakeholders to conveniently participate in public meetings.
Policy 13.7: Prioritize outreach efforts to target communities that will be most impacted by an issue or a decision.
Policy 13.8: Continue community outreach that introduces residents to the City of Santee’s functions and services while equipping residents to get involved in their community.
Policy 12.6: Increase affordable homeownership opportunities for Santee’s low-income households and provide free homeownership education programs.
Policy 12.7: Collaborate with local social service providers to address the needs of Santee’s homeless population.
Goal 7: Promote community involvement in decisions.
Objective 13: Increase community involvement and participation in defining community needs, establishing local priorities, and creating programs to meet these needs.
Policies
Policy 13.1: Establish and clearly communicate the purpose of outreach efforts and the role the public shall play in decisions or outcomes through the City of Santee’s social media and newsletter to share updates, resources, and other information from the City of Santee.
Policy 13.2: Consider providing multi-lingual requirements for published City of Santee notices and materials, meetings, and facilitation events, where appropriate.
Policy 13.3: Leverage online tools for community engagement when beneficial, including videos and podcasts, e-comments, online forums, interactive web-based mapping, interactive planning, and tools that allow community members to use data and create their own reports. Consider instituting broadband initiatives, such as providing laptops or internet hotspots to the households in Santee affected by inadequate internet access (i.e., “digitally divided” households).
Policy 13.4: Leverage offline tools for community engagement and continue to work with local media services, such as television and radio stations, to ensure adequate public awareness of events, City of Santee resources, recreation opportunities, and policy decisions under consideration.
Policy 13.5: Collaborate with community-based organizations that have relationships, trust, and cultural competency with target communities to outreach for local initiatives and issues.
Policy 13.6: Continue to hold meetings and other public engagement forums at accessible locations and times to include a wide range of residents. Consider holding virtual meetings alongside in-person meetings to enable more residents and other stakeholders to conveniently participate in public meetings.
Policy 13.7: Prioritize outreach efforts to target communities that will be most impacted by an issue or a decision.
Policy 13.8: Continue community outreach that introduces residents to the City of Santee’s functions and services while equipping residents to get involved in their community.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Goal 8: Unique or compounded health risks.
Objective 14: Implement the Sustainable Santee Plan to help communities reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change and to adapt to a changing climate with more extreme, more common weather phenomena.
Policies
Policy 14.1: Invest in census tracts in the areas of Santee that are more exposed to extreme heat events to build community resilience to and minimize impacts from climate change-induced phenomena.
Policy 14.2: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy, and promote energy efficiency through implementation of the Sustainable Santee Plan.
Policy 14.3: Prioritize disproportionately vulnerable populations for adaptation and mitigation investments identified in the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Policy 14.4: Plan responsive measures to wildfire events. Provide public information on emergency preparedness, evacuation, shelters, food, water, and recovery in both Spanish and English. Use the City of Santee’s social media and newsletter to provide information for climate-related hazards.
Policy 14.5: Work with the County of San Diego and community-based organizations to identify resources and funding sources for those who may otherwise not qualify for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration in the event of a disaster.
Policy 14.6: Prevent or limit significant increases in housing costs or essential supplies (“price gouging”) following disasters either through ordinances or other measures.
Policy 14.7: Prioritize dissemination of public information on emergency preparedness, evacuation, shelters, food, water, and recovery in languages primarily spoken by the ethnic and immigrant groups in the community.
Policy 14.8: Implement green infrastructure projects, including tree planting in disadvantaged communities, through implementation of a Green Infrastructure Plan through implementation of the Sustainable Santee Plan, Urban Forestry Plan, and private development proposals.
Policy 14.9: Integrate the natural and human-made landscapes of Santee to enhance the quality of life, revitalize older neighborhoods and community places, and sustain a beautiful, distinctive, and well-organized community for Santee residents.
Objective 15: Prioritize the health and safety of residents to create a resilient, adaptable community.
Policies
Policy 15.1: Continue to create an environment that promotes racial, ethnic, and religious tolerance and is free from discrimination and continue to support community and religious efforts and programs that advance tolerance and embrace diversity and anti-discrimination.
Goal 8: Unique or compounded health risks.
Objective 14: Implement the Sustainable Santee Plan to help communities reduce greenhouse gases that cause climate change and to adapt to a changing climate with more extreme, more common weather phenomena.
Policies
Policy 14.1: Invest in census tracts in the areas of Santee that are more exposed to extreme heat events to build community resilience to and minimize impacts from climate change-induced phenomena.
Policy 14.2: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy, and promote energy efficiency through implementation of the Sustainable Santee Plan.
Policy 14.3: Prioritize disproportionately vulnerable populations for adaptation and mitigation investments identified in the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Policy 14.4: Plan responsive measures to wildfire events. Provide public information on emergency preparedness, evacuation, shelters, food, water, and recovery in both Spanish and English. Use the City of Santee’s social media and newsletter to provide information for climate-related hazards.
Policy 14.5: Work with the County of San Diego and community-based organizations to identify resources and funding sources for those who may otherwise not qualify for financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration in the event of a disaster.
Policy 14.6: Prevent or limit significant increases in housing costs or essential supplies (“price gouging”) following disasters either through ordinances or other measures.
Policy 14.7: Prioritize dissemination of public information on emergency preparedness, evacuation, shelters, food, water, and recovery in languages primarily spoken by the ethnic and immigrant groups in the community.
Policy 14.8: Implement green infrastructure projects, including tree planting in disadvantaged communities, through implementation of a Green Infrastructure Plan through implementation of the Sustainable Santee Plan, Urban Forestry Plan, and private development proposals.
Policy 14.9: Integrate the natural and human-made landscapes of Santee to enhance the quality of life, revitalize older neighborhoods and community places, and sustain a beautiful, distinctive, and well-organized community for Santee residents.
Objective 15: Prioritize the health and safety of residents to create a resilient, adaptable community.
Policies
Policy 15.1: Continue to create an environment that promotes racial, ethnic, and religious tolerance and is free from discrimination and continue to support community and religious efforts and programs that advance tolerance and embrace diversity and anti-discrimination.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Policy 15.2: Use tools and services, such as Neighborhood Watch, law enforcement, community services, rehabilitation loan programs, code compliance, and waste management services, to support and enhance neighborhoods and streetscapes in need of revitalization.
Section 8. Implementation
Gov. Code, Section 65302(g)(2)(C), Section 65302(g)(3)(C), and Section 65302(g)(4)(C), require jurisdictions to establish a set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives established in the Safety Element of a General Plan. The policies outlined in Section 7 function as implementation measures designed to carry out the Element’s goals and objectives in compliance with the Gov. Code sections identified above.
The City will be responsible for ensuring that implementation of the policies identified in this Safety and Environmental Justice Element are monitored on an ongoing basis. The City is required to report on the implementation status of the Santee General Plan Elements in the City’s Annual Progress Report in accordance with Gov. Code, Section 65400(a). The Annual Progress Report also informs the public of the City’s progress toward meeting the community’s goals. The Annual Progress Report is required to be prepared and submitted to City Council, the OPR, and the HCD by April 1 of each year. Additionally, implementation of policies identified in this Safety and Environmental Justice Element will be tracked and discussed during other regular City department meetings.
The policies will be implemented by various City departments and authorities. For example, the Santee Fire Department will be responsible for implementing policies related to wildfire response (e.g., Safety Policy 3.2, Environmental Justice Policy 14.4). Implementation of policies related housing, planning, and code compliance (e.g., Safety Policies 6.2 and 7.1, Environmental Justice Policies 12.4 and 14.2) will be the responsibility of the City’s Development Services Department.
The City’s Community Services Department is responsible for implementation of policies related to recreational opportunities in Santee (e.g., Environmental Justice Policies 6.3 through 6.5). The City will implement these policies in coordination with the appropriate agencies, departments, and non-governmental organizations, as well as other jurisdictions.
The City acknowledges it is important to review the plan regularly and update it at least once every 8 years per Gov. Code, Section 65302(g)(5). The City will also ensure that as new safety hazard and equity information is discovered or produced, City staff will review and determine the appropriateness of incorporation. As part of this effort, as major disasters and other significant events affect Santee, City staff will be convened to review and assess the Safety and Environmental Justice Element.
The public will continue to be involved whenever the Safety and Environmental Justice Element is updated and as appropriate during the monitoring and evaluation process. Before the adoption of updates, the City will provide the opportunity for the public to comment on the updates. A public notice will be published before the meeting to announce the comment period and meeting logistics. Moreover, the City will engage stakeholders in community safety and environmental justice planning.
Various existing federal, state, and local programs and strategies can be used in Santee to reduce the potential public safety hazards and environmental justice issues described in this Element. The Policy 15.2: Use tools and services, such as Neighborhood Watch, law enforcement, community services, rehabilitation loan programs, code compliance, and waste management services, to support and enhance neighborhoods and streetscapes in need of revitalization.
Section 8. Implementation
Gov. Code, Section 65302(g)(2)(C), Section 65302(g)(3)(C), and Section 65302(g)(4)(C), require jurisdictions to establish a set of feasible implementation measures designed to carry out the goals, policies, and objectives established in the Safety Element of a General Plan. The policies outlined in Section 7 function as implementation measures designed to carry out the Element’s goals and objectives in compliance with the Gov. Code sections identified above.
The City will be responsible for ensuring that implementation of the policies identified in this Safety and Environmental Justice Element are monitored on an ongoing basis. The City is required to report on the implementation status of the Santee General Plan Elements in the City’s Annual Progress Report in accordance with Gov. Code, Section 65400(a). The Annual Progress Report also informs the public of the City’s progress toward meeting the community’s goals. The Annual Progress Report is required to be prepared and submitted to City Council, the OPR, and the HCD by April 1 of each year. Additionally, implementation of policies identified in this Safety and Environmental Justice Element will be tracked and discussed during other regular City department meetings.
The policies will be implemented by various City departments and authorities. For example, the Santee Fire Department will be responsible for implementing policies related to wildfire response (e.g., Safety Policy 3.2, Environmental Justice Policy 14.4). Implementation of policies related housing, planning, and code compliance (e.g., Safety Policies 6.2 and 7.1, Environmental Justice Policies 12.4 and 14.2) will be the responsibility of the City’s Development Services Department.
The City’s Community Services Department is responsible for implementation of policies related to recreational opportunities in Santee (e.g., Environmental Justice Policies 6.3 through 6.5). The City will implement these policies in coordination with the appropriate agencies, departments, and non-governmental organizations, as well as other jurisdictions.
The City acknowledges it is important to review the plan regularly and update it at least once every 8 years per Gov. Code, Section 65302(g)(5). The City will also ensure that as new safety hazard and equity information is discovered or produced, City staff will review and determine the appropriateness of incorporation. As part of this effort, as major disasters and other significant events affect Santee, City staff will be convened to review and assess the Safety and Environmental Justice Element.
The public will continue to be involved whenever the Safety and Environmental Justice Element is updated and as appropriate during the monitoring and evaluation process. Before the adoption of updates, the City will provide the opportunity for the public to comment on the updates. A public notice will be published before the meeting to announce the comment period and meeting logistics. Moreover, the City will engage stakeholders in community safety and environmental justice planning.
Various existing federal, state, and local programs and strategies can be used in Santee to reduce the potential public safety hazards and environmental justice issues described in this Element. The
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Safety and Environmental Justice policies established in this Element must be integrated in the long-term with regional and state efforts to promote public safety and equity. The information in this Element, including results from the Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A), Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis (Appendix B), and Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix C), will be used by the City to help inform updates and the development of local plans, programs, and policies. The City also incorporated the County’s 2023 MJHMP into this Safety and Environmental Justice Element, as recommended by AB 2140. The 2023 update to the MJHMP was adopted prior to approval of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element and is incorporated by reference. However, much of the information included in this Element was informed by information gathered for preparation of the 2023 MJHMP update.
Safety and Environmental Justice policies established in this Element must be integrated in the long-term with regional and state efforts to promote public safety and equity. The information in this Element, including results from the Vulnerability Assessment (Appendix A), Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis (Appendix B), and Environmental Justice Existing Conditions Assessment (Appendix C), will be used by the City to help inform updates and the development of local plans, programs, and policies. The City also incorporated the County’s 2023 MJHMP into this Safety and Environmental Justice Element, as recommended by AB 2140. The 2023 update to the MJHMP was adopted prior to approval of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element and is incorporated by reference. However, much of the information included in this Element was informed by information gathered for preparation of the 2023 MJHMP update.
City of Santee
Safety and Environmental Justice Element
Appendix A. Vulnerability Assessment
Appendix A. Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability Assessment
City of Santee Safety and
Environmental Justice Element
July 2023
Prepared for:
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California 92071
Contact: Christina Rios, Senior Planner
Prepared by:
600 B Street, Suite 2000
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 236-1778
Contact: Darin Neufeld, AICP, Director
Vulnerability Assessment
City of Santee Safety and
Environmental Justice Element
July 2023
Prepared for:
Santee DO MORE & DUE EAST
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California 92071
Contact: Christina Rios, Senior Planner
Prepared by:
sy : ° = Harris & Associates
600 B Street, Suite 2000
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 236-1778
Contact: Darin Neufeld, AICP, Director
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Vulnerability Assessment i July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Table of Contents
Section 1 Climate Change and Climate Vulnerability..........................................................1
1.1 What is Climate Change?...............................................................................1
1.2 What is Vulnerability?.....................................................................................1
1.3 Climate Vulnerability and Climate Resilience .................................................2
1.4 Climate Change Modeling ..............................................................................2
1.5 Climate Adaptation Planning ..........................................................................3
1.5.1 Assessing Vulnerability to Climate Change Hazards ..........................5
1.5.2 Relationship to Hazard Mitigation Planning.........................................7
1.6 Section 1 Summary........................................................................................8 Section 2 Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations ..............................................11
2.1 People with Access and Functional Needs...................................................12
2.2 People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions ...........................................12
2.3 People with Low Incomes.............................................................................13
2.4 People Experiencing Homelessness ............................................................14
2.5 Outdoor Workers..........................................................................................14
2.6 Older Adults .................................................................................................15
2.7 Children .......................................................................................................16
2.8 People without Life-Supporting Resources...................................................16
2.9 Section 2 Summary......................................................................................17 Section 3 Climate Change Hazards and Community Vulnerabilities ...............................19
3.1 Extreme Heat ...............................................................................................19
3.1.1 Exposure ..........................................................................................19
3.1.2 Sensitivity .........................................................................................19
3.1.3 Potential Impact................................................................................22
3.1.4 Adaptive Capacity.............................................................................23
3.1.5 Vulnerability Score............................................................................25
3.2 Wildfire.........................................................................................................26
3.2.1 Exposure ..........................................................................................26
3.2.2 Sensitivity .........................................................................................27
3.2.3 Potential Impact................................................................................28
3.2.4 Adaptive Capacity.............................................................................29
3.2.5 Vulnerability Score............................................................................30
3.3 Extreme Precipitation ...................................................................................32
3.3.1 Exposure ..........................................................................................32
3.3.2 Sensitivity .........................................................................................33
3.3.3 Potential Impact................................................................................33
3.3.4 Adaptive Capacity.............................................................................34 Table of Contents
Section1 Climate Change and Climate Vulnerability.....................ccccceeeee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 1
1.1 What is Climate Change?...............cc:cccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenaaes 1
1.2 What is Vulnerability? 2.0... ccccccccccseeseeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeseaseeeaeeeeeeeeessaaeeeeees 1
1.3 Climate Vulnerability and Climate Resilience ............ cc cceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeteeenteteee 2
1.4 Climate Change Modeling ..............c:c:ccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneeeeeeeeeseneeenaaes 2
1.5 Climate Adaptation Planning ..............cccccccceccccceeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeaeeseeeeeeeesaaaagaess 3
1.5.1. Assessing Vulnerability to Climate Change Hazards ...............:ccccee 5
1.5.2 Relationship to Hazard Mitigation Planning.................ccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 7
1.6 Section 1 SUMMALY....... cece ccccccceeecseeeeeeeeeceeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeesesaeeaeeseeeeeesssaaeessees 8 Section 2. Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations ...............2..::c:ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 11
2.1 People with Access and Functional NeedS.................cccccceeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 12
2.2 People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions ...............cccccccsseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 12
2.3 People with LOW INCOMEG..............ccccccceseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaeaeeeeeeeeeeesaaaeees 13
2.4 People Experiencing HOMEIeSSNESS ...............cccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaeees 14
2.5 Outdoor WOrkers...........cccccccccccccceceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeececeeeeeeeeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeaaaas 14 kon @) (0-1 a7 C0 [0 | | ee 15
72d fas ©) 0) | 0 | = eee 16
2.8 People without Life-Supporting RESOUICES.............cccceccceceeesseeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaeaeees 16
2.9 Section 2 SUMMALY..........cccccccccceeeeeee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaees 17 Section 3 Climate Change Hazards and Community Vulnerabilities .......................08 19
3.1 Extreme Heat ..........ccccccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaeaeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaeeeeeeeseesaaaaees 19
3.1.1 EXPOSUIEC 200... ceeccccceeeecceceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesaeeeeesaeueeesaaeseessaaeeeessaes 19
3.1.2 SONSItIVILY «20... etree ttre 19
3.1.3 Potential IMpPact........ cece ce cece cece eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaeeaeeeeeeeeeesaaaaneneseeeeees 22
3.1.4 Adaptive Capacity... ccccccccccccssssssssseceeeeeeeeesseeeeeeeeeeeeessaeeeeeeeeeeenes 23
3.1.5 Vulnerability SCOPG...... ccc ccccccccescseseeeeeeeeeeeesseeaeeeeeeeeesssaaeaeeeseeeenes 25 B.2 WIFI ccc cece cece cece cece cece eee e keene eee EE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEE EEEEEEEEE 26
3.2.1 EXPOSUIEC 0.2... cece eececccccee cece eeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaeaaeeeeeeeeeeeaaaeaeeseeeeseeeaaaeseeeeeeeeees 26
3.2.2 SENSITIVITY «2.0.0... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeaeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeees 27
3.2.3 Potential IMpPact........ cc ceeccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessseaeeseeeeeeeseaaeaaeeeeeeeees 28
3.2.4 Adaptive Capacity... cccccccccccceccssseseeceeeeeeeesseeaeeseeeeeeeseaeeaeseeeeeeees 29
3.2.5 Vulnerability SCOP... eeeeee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeceeaeeeeeeeeeeteeeenseeeeeeees 30
3.3 Extreme Precipitation .......... cc ccccccccccceeeeceesseeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeesseseeeeeeeeeeeesaaaes 32
3.3.1 EXPOSUIC 0... ceccccccccceeeceeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeesseeeeeeeeeeeeeeesseaaeeseeeeeeesaaaaaeeeeeeeeees 32
3.3.2 SONSIIVILY 2... c ccc eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaseaaeeseeeeeessaaueaeeeeeenees 33
3.3.3 Potential IMpact......... cece ee cceec cece eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeaeeeeeeeeseeaaaeneeeeereees 33
3.3.4 Adaptive Capacity...........ccccccccccccssccscceeeeeeeeeeeeseeesseeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 34 Vulnerability Assessment July 2023
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3.3.5 Vulnerability Score............................................................................36
3.4 Drought ........................................................................................................37
3.4.1 Exposure ..........................................................................................37
3.4.2 Sensitivity .........................................................................................38
3.4.3 Potential Impact................................................................................39
3.4.4 Adaptive Capacity.............................................................................40
3.4.5 Vulnerability Score............................................................................42
3.5 Section 3 Summary......................................................................................43 Figures
Figure 1. Adaptation Planning Process .......................................................................................5 Figure 2. Vulnerability Assessment Phase 2 ...............................................................................6 Figure 3. Potential Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric...............................................7 Figure 4. Vulnerability Scoring Rubric .........................................................................................7 Figure 5. Heat Health Action Index............................................................................................21 Tables
Table 1. Critical Facilities ............................................................................................................8 Table 2. Vulnerable Populations ...............................................................................................11 Table 3. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Heat ........................................................26 Table 4. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Wildfire..................................................................31 Table 5. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Precipitation ............................................37 Table 6. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Drought .................................................................43 Table 7. Vulnerability Assessment Results for All Hazards .......................................................44
3.3.5 Vulnerability SCOP... ccceeeeeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeneeeeeeees 36 Xe a B) 0)0(6 | 0] Se 37
3.4.1 EXPOSUIC 0... ecccccccccceeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesseeeeeeeeeeeeeesaseaaeeseeeeeeesaaaeaeeeeeeeeees 37
3.4.2 Sensitivity oe eee cere eee eeeeee eee teeter eeeececaaeeeeeeeeeeseeeeescaeeeeeees 38
3.4.3 Potential IMpPact......... cece ccc ecee cece ce eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeaeeeeeeeeeeeeaaeaneeeeeeeees 39
3.4.4 Adaptive Capacity............cccccccccccssesecsceeeeeeeeeeeseseeeseeeeeseeessseseesseseeeeeees 40
3.4.5 Vulnerability SCOPG....... cc eceeccccceeeecceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeseeeeeeeseaaaaaseeeeeeees 42
3.5 Section 3 SUMMALY ........ eee cece eeeeeee eee e eee eeeeeeeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeecaaeeeeeeeeetteeeenaeeeeeees 43 Figures
Figure 1. Adaptation Planning Process ............:::::eeeeeeeeeeiiitiiii eee 5 Figure 2. Vulnerability Assessment Phase 2 ..........cccccccccecececcceeeeeaeeeeeeeeeseeeeeaeeaeeseeeeeseesaaaeeeeseeeeees 6 Figure 3. Potential Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring RUDIIC................cceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettaeees 7 Figure 4. Vulnerability SCOriNg RUDI IC ...........cccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeesaseesseeeeeeeesssaaeeseeeeeenees 7 Figure 5. Heat Health Action [email protected].... eee eeiieineeeieieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 21 Tables
Table 1. Critical Facilities 2.2.0... cccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeaeeaaaaaaeaaaaaeaaaeaaaaeaaaaaaaaeaeeeaaaes 8 Table 2. Vulnerable Populations ..............cccccccssceeeeceeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessseeeeeeeeeeeessseeeeeseeeeeessaaaeeeees 11 Table 3. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Heat ...............cccccccceceeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 26 Table 4. Vulnerability Assessment Results: WiIdFIPE ....... cee ccccccceceeseeeeeeeeeeeeesaeeeseeeeeeeseesaaeaaees 31 Table 5. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Precipitation .................::::::seseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 37 Table 6. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Drought ........... 2... cececeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 43 Table 7. Vulnerability Assessment Results for All HaZards ............cccccccecccccceeeeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaees 44 Vulnerability Assessment i July 2023
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Section 1 Climate Change and Climate Vulnerability
1.1 What is Climate Change?
Climate change is a long-term change in the average meteorological conditions in an area. The global climate is changing due to an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that trap heat near Earth’s surface. GHGs (at some levels) are necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature on Earth; however, an increased concentration of GHGs due to human activity that traps additional heat can change Earth’s climate system in several ways. Climate change can create intensified or new hazardous conditions that can increase the risk of damage to critical infrastructure, injury to sensitive populations, and disruption of essential services. The City of Santee has prepared a Vulnerability Assessment to gain a better understanding of how a changing climate may impact Santee and to identify which aspects of the community—including people, infrastructure, and services—are most vulnerable to climate change’s effects.
1.2 What is Vulnerability?
The following definition was developed by the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program Technical Advisory Council. The program’s definition of “vulnerability” is meant to provide a clear understanding of the multiple components that characterize vulnerable communities.1 This definition also draws upon the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the California Climate Justice Working Group.2 “Climate vulnerability describes the degree to which natural, built, and human systems are at risk of exposure to climate change impacts. Vulnerable communities experience heightened risk and increased sensitivity to climate change, but also have less capacity and fewer resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from climate impacts. These disproportionate effects are caused by physical (built/environmental), social, political, and/or economic factors, which are exacerbated by climate impacts.”
Executive Order B-30-15 directs state agencies to integrate climate change into all planning efforts, including accounting for current and future climate conditions. Executive Order B-30-15 mandates this because “climate change will disproportionately affect California’s most vulnerable people,” and all “state agencies’ planning and investments shall . . . protect California’s most vulnerable populations.”3 Section 2, Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations, provides descriptions of how some populations are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change than others. 1 OPR (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research). 2018. Defining Vulnerable Communities in the Context of Climate Adaptation. July. Accessed July 2023. http://www.opr.ca.gov/docs/20200720-Vulnerable_Communities.pdf. 2 CJWG (Climate Justice Working Group). 2017. Advancing Climate Justice in California: Guiding Principles and Recommendations for Policy and Funding Decisions. August. Accessed July 2023. https://www.healthyworldforall. org/en/pdf/AdvancingClimateJusticeInCaliforniaWithoutAppendix.pdf. 3 OPR (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research). 2018. “Vulnerable Populations.” In Executive Order B-30-15 Resiliency Guidebook. Accessed July 2023. http://opr.ca.gov/docs/20180312-Vulnerable_Communities_Descriptions.pdf.
Section1 Climate Change and Climate Vulnerability
1.1 What is Climate Change?
Climate change is a long-term change in the average meteorological conditions in an area. The global climate is changing due to an increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that trap heat near Earth’s surface. GHGs (at some levels) are necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature on Earth; however, an increased concentration of GHGs due to human activity that traps additional heat can change Earth’s climate system in several ways. Climate change can create intensified or new hazardous conditions that can increase the risk of damage to critical infrastructure, injury to sensitive populations, and disruption of essential services. The City of Santee has prepared a Vulnerability Assessment to gain a better understanding of how a changing climate may impact Santee and to identify which aspects of the community—including people, infrastructure, and services—are most vulnerable to climate change’s effects.
1.2 What is Vulnerability?
The following definition was developed by the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program Technical Advisory Council. The program’s definition of “vulnerability” is meant to provide a clear understanding of the multiple components that characterize vulnerable communities. This definition also draws upon the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the California Climate Justice Working Group.” “Climate vulnerability describes the degree to which natural, built, and human systems are at risk of exposure to climate change impacts. Vulnerable communities experience heightened risk and increased sensitivity to climate change, but also have less capacity and fewer resources to cope with, adapt to, or recover from climate impacts. These disproportionate effects are caused by physical (built/environmental), social, political, and/or economic factors, which are exacerbated by climate impacts.”
Executive Order B-30-15 directs state agencies to integrate climate change into all planning efforts, including accounting for current and future climate conditions. Executive Order B-30-15 mandates this because “climate change will disproportionately affect California’s most vulnerable people,” and all “state agencies’ planning and investments shall . . . protect California’s most vulnerable populations.”* Section 2, Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations, provides descriptions of how some populations are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change than others. 1 OPR (Governor's Office of Planning and Research). 2018. Defining Vulnerable Communities in the Context of Climate Adaptation. July. Accessed July 2023. http:/Awww.opr.ca.gov/docs/20200720-Vulnerable_Communities.pdf.
CJWG (Climate Justice Working Group). 2017. Advancing Climate Justice in California: Guiding Principles and Recommendations for Policy and Funding Decisions. August. Accessed July 2023. https://www.healthyworldforall. org/en/pdf/AdvancingClimateJusticelnCaliforniaWithoutAppendix.pdf.
OPR (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research). 2018. “Vulnerable Populations.” In Executive Order B-30-15 Resiliency Guidebook. Accessed July 2023. http://opr.ca.gov/docs/20180312-Vulnerable_Communities_Descriptions.pdf.
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1.3 Climate Vulnerability and Climate Resilience
Climate vulnerability describes the ways in which a person or a community (receptor) is susceptible to sustaining harm or damage (impact) as a result of climate change. Climate vulnerability is a function of (1) climate-related changes in conditions that are experienced by a receptor and (2) the receptor’s sensitivity to experiencing impacts because of those changing conditions. Climate resilience describes the receptor’s ability and capacity to cope with or adapt to impacts caused by climate change.
Climate vulnerability is related to physical factors, such as whether a community is likely to experience increases in the frequency of dangerously high-heat events or to be flooded during more frequent/intense storms, as well as social and economic factors, such as inequities in access to and benefits of education, economic investment, and government services.
Climate vulnerability is experienced by urban, suburban, and rural communities, but communities may be vulnerable in different ways, depending on the context and the relative presence/absence of the above factors. An individual or community may be vulnerable with respect to multiple factors of vulnerability at once. The cumulative impacts of these disparities and inequities may contribute to heightened vulnerability among certain groups, which are often referred to as “vulnerable communities” or “sensitive populations” (see Section 2 for further discussion of vulnerable communities/sensitive populations).
1.4 Climate Change Modeling
This Vulnerability Assessment evaluates the ability of Santee’s vulnerable populations to adapt to the impacts of four climate change hazards (extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought). The assessment uses Cal-Adapt modeling and supplemental analysis to project the impacts of these climate change hazards. Cal-Adapt provides local climate projections for jurisdictions in California using climate scenarios. Climate projections from Cal-Adapt and other sources rely on climate models, which are computer simulations that forecast future climate conditions under the various climate scenarios, described further below. While no model can project future conditions perfectly, current models are heavily reviewed by climate scientists and can accurately reproduce observed climate conditions.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an organization that represents the global scientific consensus about climate change, has identified four climate scenarios, which are referred to as “Representative Concentration Pathways” (RCPs), that can be used to project future climate conditions. RCPs are different scenarios that measure the future severity of climate change. RCP scenarios are defined by assumptions for the growth of GHG emissions and an identified point at which GHG emissions are expected to begin declining (assuming various GHG reduction policies or socioeconomic conditions). The four RCP scenarios, RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, and RCP 8.5,
1.3. Climate Vulnerability and Climate Resilience
Climate vulnerability describes the ways in which a person or a community (receptor) is susceptible to sustaining harm or damage (impact) as a result of climate change. Climate vulnerability is a function of (1) climate-related changes in conditions that are experienced by a receptor and (2) the receptor’s sensitivity to experiencing impacts because of those changing conditions. Climate resilience describes the receptor’s ability and capacity to cope with or adapt to impacts caused by climate change.
Climate vulnerability is related to physical factors, such as whether a community is likely to experience increases in the frequency of dangerously high-heat events or to be flooded during more frequent/intense storms, as well as social and economic factors, such as inequities in access to and benefits of education, economic investment, and government services.
Climate vulnerability is experienced by urban, suburban, and rural communities, but communities may be vulnerable in different ways, depending on the context and the relative presence/absence of the above factors. An individual or community may be vulnerable with respect to multiple factors of vulnerability at once. The cumulative impacts of these disparities and inequities may contribute to heightened vulnerability among certain groups, which are often referred to as “vulnerable communities” or “sensitive populations” (see Section 2 for further discussion of vulnerable communities/sensitive populations).
1.4 Climate Change Modeling
This Vulnerability Assessment evaluates the ability of Santee’s vulnerable populations to adapt to the impacts of four climate change hazards (extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought). The assessment uses Cal-Adapt modeling and supplemental analysis to project the impacts of these climate change hazards. Cal-Adapt provides local climate projections for jurisdictions in California using climate scenarios. Climate projections from Cal-Adapt and other sources rely on climate models, which are computer simulations that forecast future climate conditions under the various climate scenarios, described further below. While no model can project future conditions perfectly, current models are heavily reviewed by climate scientists and can accurately reproduce observed climate conditions.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, an organization that represents the global scientific consensus about climate change, has identified four climate scenarios, which are referred to as “Representative Concentration Pathways” (RCPs), that can be used to project future climate conditions. RCPs are different scenarios that measure the future severity of climate change. RCP scenarios are defined by assumptions for the growth of GHG emissions and an identified point at which GHG emissions are expected to begin declining (assuming various GHG reduction policies or socioeconomic conditions). The four RCP scenarios, RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, and RCP 8.5, Vulnerability Assessment 2 July 2023
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are labeled with different numbers that refer to the increase in the amount of energy that reaches each square meter of Earth’s surface under that scenario. The greater the number, the more severe future climate change conditions could be. For example, RCP 8.5 is the “business as usual” projection, which assumes that GHG emissions will continue to rise until at least the end of the 21st century. Below is a summary of the four RCPs:
• RCP 2.6: Global GHG emissions peak around 2020 and then begin to decline substantially (low-emissions scenario).
• RCP 4.5: Global GHG emissions peak around 2040 and then begin to decline. • RCP 6.0: Global emissions continue to rise until the middle of the century (2050). • RCP 8.5: Global emissions continue to increase at least until the end of the century (2100) (high-emissions scenario).
4 RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 are displayed in Cal-Adapt’s tools, allowing users to assess emissiondependent variability to evaluate a medium-emissions scenario (RCP 4.5) alongside a highemissions scenario (RCP 8.5). Cal-Adapt’s models represent the range of expected climate changes (e.g., annual average maximum temperature) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) recommends that agencies use RCP 8.5 for analyses considering impacts through 2050 because minimal differences exist between emissions scenarios during the first half of the century.5 Per OPR’s recommendation, this analysis uses RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 to model climate conditions and impacts related to climate change hazards in Santee.
1.5 Climate Adaptation Planning
The purpose of climate adaptation planning is to reduce vulnerability and increase the local capacity to adapt to projected climate change effects, as well as build resilience through adoption of goals and policies. A climate-resilient city is one that is prepared for the effects of climate change and can provide essential services during and after hazard events.
The California Adaptation Planning Guide (APG) was developed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services as a resource for local governments to include climate adaptation and resilience in the City’s Safety and Environmental Justice Element. 6 The APG was designed to ensure that the Vulnerability Assessment meets Safety Element requirements in California Government Code, Section 65302(g)(4), as updated by Senate Bill (SB) 379 and SB 1035. The APG provides guidance to local governments on local adaptation and resiliency planning by presenting an updated, step-by-step process that communities can use to plan for climate change. 4 Cal-Adapt. 2021. “About Climate Projections and Models.” Accessed July 2023. https://cal-adapt.org/help/get-started/aboutclimate-projections-and-models/. 5 OPR (Governor’s Office of Planning and Research). 2018. Planning and Investing for a Resilient California: A Guidebook for State Agencies. Accessed July 2023. http://opr.ca.gov/docs/20180313-Building_a_Resilient_CA.pdf. 6 CalOES (Governor’s Office of Emergency Services). 2020. California Adaptation Planning Guide. 22. June. Accessed July 2023. https://www.caloes.ca.gov/HazardMitigationSite/Documents/CA-Adaptation-Planning-Guide-FINAL-June-2020-Accessible.pdf. are labeled with different numbers that refer to the increase in the amount of energy that reaches each square meter of Earth’s surface under that scenario. The greater the number, the more severe future climate change conditions could be. For example, RCP 8.5 is the “business as usual” projection, which assumes that GHG emissions will continue to rise until at least the end of the 21st century. Below is a summary of the four RCPs:
e RCP 2.6: Global GHG emissions peak around 2020 and then begin to decline substantially (low-emissions scenario).
e RCP 4.5: Global GHG emissions peak around 2040 and then begin to decline. e RCP 6.0: Global emissions continue to rise until the middle of the century (2050). e RCP 8.5: Global emissions continue to increase at least until the end of the century (2100) (high-emissions scenario).‘
RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 are displayed in Cal-Adapt’s tools, allowing users to assess emissiondependent variability to evaluate a medium-emissions scenario (RCP 4.5) alongside a highemissions scenario (RCP 8.5). Cal-Adapt’s models represent the range of expected climate changes (e.g., annual average maximum temperature) under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5. The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) recommends that agencies use RCP 8.5 for analyses considering impacts through 2050 because minimal differences exist between emissions scenarios during the first half of the century.” Per OPR’s recommendation, this analysis uses RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 to model climate conditions and impacts related to climate change hazards in Santee.
1.5 Climate Adaptation Planning
The purpose of climate adaptation planning is to reduce vulnerability and increase the local capacity to adapt to projected climate change effects, as well as build resilience through adoption of goals and policies. A climate-resilient city is one that is prepared for the effects of climate change and can provide essential services during and after hazard events.
The California Adaptation Planning Guide (APG) was developed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services as a resource for local governments to include climate adaptation and resilience in the City’s Safety and Environmental Justice Element. ° The APG was designed to ensure that the Vulnerability Assessment meets Safety Element requirements in California Government Code, Section 65302(g)(4), as updated by Senate Bill (SB) 379 and SB 1035. The APG provides guidance to local governments on local adaptation and resiliency planning by presenting an updated, step-by-step process that communities can use to plan for climate change. 4 Cal-Adapt. 2021. “About Climate Projections and Models.” Accessed July 2023. https://cal-adapt.org/help/get-started/aboutclimate-projections-and-models/. 5 OPR (Governor's Office of Planning and Research). 2018. Planning and Investing for a Resilient California: A Guidebook for State Agencies. Accessed July 2023. http://opr.ca.gov/docs/20180313-Building_a_Resilient_CA.pdf.
CalOES (Governor's Office of Emergency Services). 2020. California Adaptation Planning Guide. 22. June. Accessed July 2023. https://www.caloes.ca.gov/HazardMitigationSite/Documents/CA-Adaptation-Planning-Guide-FINAL-June-2020-Accessible. pdf.
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The adaptation planning process consists of the following phases, as shown on Figure 1, Adaptation Planning Process. Public outreach and engagement should occur during all four phases the adaptation planning process:
• Phase 1: Explore, Define, and Initiate. This phase includes scoping the process and project by identifying the potential climate change effects and important physical, social, and natural assets in the community. It also identifies the key stakeholders in the local government and throughout the community.
• Phase 2: Assess Vulnerability. This phase determines the climate vulnerability of populations, natural resources, and assets in the community by analyzing potential impacts and the community’s capacity to adapt. The Vulnerability Assessment identifies how climate change could affect the community. • Phase 3: Define Adaptation Framework and Strategies. This phase focuses on creating an adaptation framework and developing adaptation strategies based on the results of the Vulnerability Assessment. The adaptation strategies are the community’s response to the Vulnerability Assessment—that is, how the community will address the potential for harm identified in the Vulnerability Assessment given the community’s resources, goals, values, needs, and regional context.
• Phase 4: Implement, Monitor, Evaluate, and Adjust. In this phase, the adaptation framework is implemented, consistently monitored and evaluated, and adjusted based on continual learning, feedback, and/or triggers.
The adaptation planning process consists of the following phases, as shown on Figure 1, Adaptation Planning Process. Public outreach and engagement should occur during all four phases the adaptation planning process:
Phase 1: Explore, Define, and Initiate. This phase includes scoping the process and project by identifying the potential climate change effects and important physical, social, and natural assets in the community. It also identifies the key stakeholders in the local government and throughout the community.
Phase 2: Assess Vulnerability. This phase determines the climate vulnerability of populations, natural resources, and assets in the community by analyzing potential impacts and the community’s capacity to adapt. The Vulnerability Assessment identifies how climate change could affect the community.
Phase 3: Define Adaptation Framework and Strategies. This phase focuses on creating an adaptation framework and developing adaptation strategies based on the results of the Vulnerability Assessment. The adaptation strategies are the community’s response to the Vulnerability Assessment—that is, how the community will address the potential for harm identified in the Vulnerability Assessment given the community’s resources, goals, values, needs, and regional context.
Phase 4: Implement, Monitor, Evaluate, and Adjust. In this phase, the adaptation framework is implemented, consistently monitored and evaluated, and adjusted based on continual learning, feedback, and/or triggers.
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Figure 1. Adaptation Planning Process
Source: CalOES 2020.
Phase 1 of the climate adaptation planning process (explore, define, and initiate) concluded that the primary hazards of concern for Santee are extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought.
In conformance with the APG, the City has prepared a Vulnerability Assessment that follows the process outlined in Phase 2 of the APG and identifies the risks that these hazards pose to Santee.
1.5.1 Assessing Vulnerability to Climate Change Hazards For each of the four climate change hazards (extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought) addressed in this Vulnerability Assessment, Santee’s vulnerability to the hazard is assessed using each of the five following categories (Figure 2, Vulnerability Assessment Phase 2):
Figure 1. Adaptation Planning Process
Define
Assess Adaptation
Vulnerability Framework &
Strategies
Explore, re 10, Implement,
Define, and ge 8 Monitor,
Initiate reo
jus
Source: CalOES 2020.
Phase 1 of the climate adaptation planning process (explore, define, and initiate) concluded that the primary hazards of concern for Santee are extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought.
In conformance with the APG, the City has prepared a Vulnerability Assessment that follows the process outlined in Phase 2 of the APG and identifies the risks that these hazards pose to Santee.
1.5.1 Assessing Vulnerability to Climate Change Hazards For each of the four climate change hazards (extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought) addressed in this Vulnerability Assessment, Santee’s vulnerability to the hazard is assessed using each of the five following categories (Figure 2, Vulnerability Assessment Phase 2):
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1. Exposure: The goal of
this step is to
characterize the
community’s exposure
to current and projected
climate hazards. Climate
projection data from
Cal-Adapt is used to
develop projections for
how existing hazards are
expected to change by
mid- and late century.
2. Sensitivity: This step
identifies the
populations (i.e., people)
and assets (i.e., critical
infrastructure) that are
sensitive to localized
climate change effects.
3. Potential Impacts: This
step seeks to understand
how sensitive
populations and assets
may be affected by climate change. “Potential impact” is a function of exposure and sensitivity.
4. Adaptive Capacity: The purpose of this step is to characterize Santee’s current ability to cope with climate impacts. Santee’s ability to adapt to each identified climate impact is determined through a review of existing plans, policies, and programs and through stakeholder engagement.
5. Vulnerability Scoring: Vulnerability is a function of potential impact and adaptive capacity. The vulnerability scoring method allows the City to understand which populations and assets will potentially face the greatest threats and where gaps are in current planning efforts. The scoring rubric used to assess the potential impact, adaptive capacity, and overall vulnerability is shown on Figure 3, Potential Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric, and Figure 4, Vulnerability Scoring Rubric.
The Vulnerability Assessment assigns vulnerability scores to populations (i.e., people) and assets (i.e., critical infrastructure). The potential impact and adaptive capacity scores (Figure 3) determine the vulnerability score for each population and asset under each of the four climate Figure 2. Vulnerability Assessment Phase 2
Source: CalOES 2020 (Adapted by Harris and Associates 2022).
1. Exposure: The goal of Figure 2. Vulnerability Assessment Phase 2 this step is to
characterize the
community’s exposure
to current and projected
climate hazards. Climate
projection data from
Cal-Adapt is used to
develop projections for
how existing hazards are
expected to change by
mid- and late century.
2. Sensitivity: This step
identifies the
populations (1.e., people)
and assets (1.e., critical
infrastructure) that are
sensitive to localized
climate change effects.
3. Potential Impacts: This
step seeks to understand
how Sensitive source: CalOES 2020 (Adapted by Harris and Associates 2022). populations and assets
may be affected by climate change. “Potential impact” is a function of exposure and sensitivity.
4. Adaptive Capacity: The purpose of this step is to characterize Santee’s current ability to cope with climate impacts. Santee’s ability to adapt to each identified climate impact is determined through a review of existing plans, policies, and programs and through stakeholder engagement.
5. Vulnerability Scoring: Vulnerability is a function of potential impact and adaptive capacity. The vulnerability scoring method allows the City to understand which populations and assets will potentially face the greatest threats and where gaps are in current planning efforts. The scoring rubric used to assess the potential impact, adaptive capacity, and overall vulnerability is shown on Figure 3, Potential Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric, and Figure 4, Vulnerability Scoring Rubric.
The Vulnerability Assessment assigns vulnerability scores to populations (i.e., people) and assets (i.e., critical infrastructure). The potential impact and adaptive capacity scores (Figure 3) determine the vulnerability score for each population and asset under each of the four climate Vulnerability Assessment 6 July 2023
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change hazards. The vulnerability score reflects how susceptible a population or asset is to harm from a particular hazard. Vulnerability is assessed on a scale of 1 to 5 (Figure 4). The matrix on Figure 4 shows how potential impact and adaptive capacity scores combine and translate into a vulnerability score. For example, if a hazard’s potential impact is highly likely and the population or asset lacks capacity to manage this impact, there is a very high vulnerability to this hazard.
Lower vulnerability scores indicate the population or asset has a lower vulnerability to the hazard; higher values indicate greater vulnerability.
Figure 3. Potential Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric Source: CalOES 2020 (Adapted by Harris and Associates 2022).
Figure 4. Vulnerability Scoring Rubric
Source: CalOES 2020 (Adapted by Harris and Associates 2022).
1.5.2 Relationship to Hazard Mitigation Planning
The information provided in the Vulnerability Assessment integrates information from the County of San Diego’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP)7 with supplemental 7 County of San Diego. 2018. Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. October. Accessed July 2023. https://www. sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/oes/emergency_management/HazMit/2018/2018%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan.pdf. change hazards. The vulnerability score reflects how susceptible a population or asset is to harm from a particular hazard. Vulnerability is assessed on a scale of | to 5 (Figure 4). The matrix on Figure 4 shows how potential impact and adaptive capacity scores combine and translate into a vulnerability score. For example, if a hazard’s potential impact is highly likely and the population or asset lacks capacity to manage this impact, there is a very high vulnerability to this hazard.
Lower vulnerability scores indicate the population or asset has a lower vulnerability to the hazard; higher values indicate greater vulnerability.
Figure 3. Potential Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric Low Impact is unlikely based on The population or asset lacks capacity projected exposure; would to manage climate impact; major result in minor consequences changes would be required. to public health, safety, and/or
other metrics of concern.
Medium | Impact is somewhat likely based | The population or asset has some on projected exposure: would capacity fo manage climate impact:
result in some consequences some changes would be required. to public health, safety, and/or
other metrics of concern.
High Impact is highly likely based The population or asset has high on projected exposure; capacity fo manage climate impact:
would result in substantial minimal to no changes are required. consequences to public health,
safety, and/or other metrics of concern.
Source: CalOES 2020 (Adapted by Harris and Associates 2022).
Figure 4. Vulnerability Scoring Rubric
Be High
5 g Medium 3B tow High Medium se Low
Adaptive Capacity
Source: CalOES 2020 (Adapted by Harris and Associates 2022).
1.5.2 Relationship to Hazard Mitigation Planning
The information provided in the Vulnerability Assessment integrates information from the County of San Diego’s Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP)’ with supplemental ” County of San Diego. 2018. Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. October. Accessed July 2023. https://www. sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/oes/emergency_management/HazMit/2018/2018%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan.pdf.
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information collected through the Safety and Environmental Justice Element planning process.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2140 and SB 379 allow jurisdictions with federally approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs) to adopt their LHMPs in the Safety Element and incorporate by reference the relevant sections of the LHMP into the Safety Element. This Vulnerability Assessment incorporates by reference relevant sections of the County’s 2018 FEMA-approved MJHMP, including Santee’s profile, risk analysis, and identification of critical facilities in Santee.
Because the County’s update of the MJHMP is scheduled to occur in 2023, after the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, supplemental information related to critical facilities was collected for this assessment when available through additional sources. Sources include the County’s 2018 MJHMP, Sustainable Santee Plan,
8 information collected from City staff, publicly
available datasets, and SanGIS, which is the joint powers authority between the City and County that provides a regional geographic information system (GIS). The 2023 MJHMP update can be incorporated into the Safety and Environmental Justice Element at a later date, such as when the MJHMP is adopted or when the next Safety and Environmental Justice Element is updated.
Specifically, this Vulnerability Assessment incorporates the MJHMP’s hazard identification, analysis of exposure and loss in Santee, information on historical hazard events, and list of critical community infrastructure and facilities within hazard zones. Table 1, Critical Facilities, includes the types of critical infrastructure evaluated in this Vulnerability Assessment. Supplemental analysis was performed using these definitions to evaluate new information that may have changed since 2018. In Section 3.1 through Section 3.4, the Vulnerability Assessment analyzes the potential impact and adaptive capacity of the following critical infrastructure categories to climate-driven hazards, including extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought.
Table 1. Critical Facilities
Category Description
City Operations City Hall, Emergency Operations Center
Public Safety Facilities Fire stations
Public Health Facilities Hospitals
Community Centers Libraries
Utility Facilities Water treatment and distribution facilities Critical Transportation Airports, bridges
Schools Educational facilities
1.6 Section 1 Summary
This section introduced climate vulnerability and the climate adaptation planning process, which is used to achieve climate resilience. Section 1, Climate Change and Climate Vulnerability, also explained the methodology of scoring vulnerability of populations and assets by using the Potential 8 City of Santee. 2019. “Sustainable Santee Plan: The City’s Roadmap to Greenhouse Gas Reductions.” Final. December.
Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=18422. information collected through the Safety and Environmental Justice Element planning process.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2140 and SB 379 allow jurisdictions with federally approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs) to adopt their LHMPs in the Safety Element and incorporate by reference the relevant sections of the LHMP into the Safety Element. This Vulnerability Assessment incorporates by reference relevant sections of the County’s 2018 FEMA-approved MJHMP, including Santee’s profile, risk analysis, and identification of critical facilities in Santee.
Because the County’s update of the MJHMP is scheduled to occur in 2023, after the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, supplemental information related to critical facilities was collected for this assessment when available through additional sources. Sources include the County’s 2018 MJHMP, Sustainable Santee Plan,* information collected from City staff, publicly available datasets, and SanGIS, which is the joint powers authority between the City and County that provides a regional geographic information system (GIS). The 2023 MJHMP update can be incorporated into the Safety and Environmental Justice Element at a later date, such as when the MJHMP is adopted or when the next Safety and Environmental Justice Element is updated.
Specifically, this Vulnerability Assessment incorporates the MJHMP’s hazard identification, analysis of exposure and loss in Santee, information on historical hazard events, and list of critical community infrastructure and facilities within hazard zones. Table 1, Critical Facilities, includes the types of critical infrastructure evaluated in this Vulnerability Assessment. Supplemental analysis was performed using these definitions to evaluate new information that may have changed since 2018. In Section 3.1 through Section 3.4, the Vulnerability Assessment analyzes the potential impact and adaptive capacity of the following critical infrastructure categories to climate-driven hazards, including extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought.
Table 1. Critical Facilities
Category Description
City Operations City Hall, Emergency Operations Center
Public Safety Facilities Fire stations
Public Health Facilities Hospitals
Community Centers Libraries
Utility Facilities Water treatment and distribution facilities Critical Transportation Airports, bridges
Schools Educational facilities
1.6 Section 1 Summary
This section introduced climate vulnerability and the climate adaptation planning process, which is used to achieve climate resilience. Section 1, Climate Change and Climate Vulnerability, also explained the methodology of scoring vulnerability of populations and assets by using the Potential 8 City of Santee. 2019. “Sustainable Santee Plan: The City’s Roadmap to Greenhouse Gas Reductions.” Final. December.
Accessed July 2023. https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=18422.
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Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric (Figure 3) and the Vulnerability Scoring Rubric (Figure 4). Finally, Section 1 identified the types of critical facilities included in the evaluation of climate change-related hazards (Section 3, Climate Change Hazards and Community Vulnerabilities). Section 2 will identify vulnerable populations included in the evaluation of climate change-related hazards and discuss how these populations are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Impact and Adaptive Capacity Scoring Rubric (Figure 3) and the Vulnerability Scoring Rubric (Figure 4). Finally, Section 1 identified the types of critical facilities included in the evaluation of climate change-related hazards (Section 3, Climate Change Hazards and Community Vulnerabilities). Section 2 will identify vulnerable populations included in the evaluation of climate change-related hazards and discuss how these populations are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
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Section 2 Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations
The Vulnerability Assessment analyzes potential impacts on people and critical facilities, with a particular look at the types of populations that are most sensitive/vulnerable to climate changerelated impacts. Vulnerable populations may include people with access and functional needs (AFNs), which consist of people in multi-lingual communities, families with infants and children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness (see Section 2.1, People with Access and Functional Needs). Vulnerable populations may also include people with existing chronic health conditions, people with low incomes, people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, children, and people without life-supporting resources. Several populations noted in this section (i.e., people with low incomes, people experiencing homelessness) are closely related to the “disadvantaged communities” identified in Section 5.3, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element. Descriptions of vulnerable populations are summarized in Table 2, Vulnerable Populations, and described further in Section
2.1 through Section 2.8.
Table 2. Vulnerable Populations
Category Description
People with AFNs People in multi-lingual communities, families with infants and children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions People with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric illnesses, respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma)
People with Low Incomes People with incomes that are between 50 percent and 80 percent of the area median income (Note: The 2021 Area
Median Income (AMI) for a four-person household in San
Diego County was $95,100)
People Experiencing Homelessness People who are living in a place that is not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or exiting an institution where a person temporarily resided Outdoor Workers People who spend most of their workday outside (e.g., gardeners, landscapers, and park/recreation staff)
Older Adults People who are 65 years of age or older
Children People who are 17 years of age or younger
People without Life-Supporting Resources People who lack adequate housing or ways to cool living space, are renters/tenants, or are food-insecure
Notes: AFNs = access and functional needs
The City’s Emergency Management Team, which includes the Care and Shelter Branch, have identified areas of Santee with high concentrations of vulnerable populations. The City continually works to identify individuals that fall into the AFN community criteria through engagement and outreach with local non-governmental organizations and Santee Fire Department personnel when these organizations locate AFN individuals while providing emergency services.
Section2 Vulnerable Communities/Sensitive Populations
The Vulnerability Assessment analyzes potential impacts on people and critical facilities, with a particular look at the types of populations that are most sensitive/vulnerable to climate changerelated impacts. Vulnerable populations may include people with access and functional needs (AFNs), which consist of people in multi-lingual communities, families with infants and children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness (see Section 2.1, People with Access and Functional Needs). Vulnerable populations may also include people with existing chronic health conditions, people with low incomes, people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, children, and people without life-supporting resources. Several populations noted in this section (i.e., people with low incomes, people experiencing homelessness) are closely related to the “disadvantaged communities” identified in Section 5.3, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element. Descriptions of vulnerable populations are summarized in Table 2, Vulnerable Populations, and described further in Section
2.1 through Section 2.8.
Table 2. Vulnerable Populations
Category Description
People with AFNs People in multi-lingual communities, families with infants and children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions People with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, psychiatric illnesses, respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma)
People with Low Incomes People with incomes that are between 50 percent and 80 percent of the area median income (Note: The 2021 Area
Median Income (AMI) for a four-person household in San
Diego County was $95,100)
People Experiencing Homelessness People who are living in a place that is not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or exiting an institution where a person temporarily resided Outdoor Workers People who spend most of their workday outside (e.g., gardeners, landscapers, and park/recreation staff)
Older Adults People who are 65 years of age or older
Children People who are 17 years of age or younger
People without Life-Supporting Resources People who lack adequate housing or ways to cool living space, are renters/tenants, or are food-insecure
Notes: AFNs = access and functional needs
The City’s Emergency Management Team, which includes the Care and Shelter Branch, have identified areas of Santee with high concentrations of vulnerable populations. The City continually works to identify individuals that fall into the AFN community criteria through engagement and outreach with local non-governmental organizations and Santee Fire Department personnel when these organizations locate AFN individuals while providing emergency services.
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2.1 People with Access and Functional Needs
Per California Government Code, Section 8593.3, “‘AFN populations’ consists of individuals who have developmental or intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic conditions, injuries, limited English proficiency or who are non-English speaking, older adults, children, people living in institutionalized settings, or those who are low income, homeless, or transportation disadvantaged, including, but not limited to, those who are dependent on public transit or those who are pregnant.”
For the purposes of assessing climate change vulnerability, “people with AFNs” have been divided into the following subgroups, which are described in Section 2.2 through Section 2.8:
• People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions
• People with Low Incomes
• People Experiencing Homelessness
• Outdoor Workers
• Older Adults
• Children
• People without Life-Supporting Resources
2.2 People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions
People with existing chronic health conditions are most impacted by the intersections of heat waves, extreme weather events, unreliable/unavailable access to medical care, insufficient/nonexistent interpersonal support networks, and fewer resources to relocate, adapt, or and/or manage climate-related hazards. People of color and people from low-income communities tend to have relatively high rates of existing health conditions (e.g., heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], asthma). People living in areas of concentrated poverty also tend to have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and depression than residents not living in these areas.
Hospital admissions and emergency room visits increase during heat waves for people with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disease, and psychiatric illnesses. Heart disease increases sensitivity to heat stress. People with diabetes are subject to the impacts of extreme weather events, which may limit access to medicine and food that they need to stay healthy.
Asthma can be exacerbated by exposure to air pollution caused by or made worse by changes in temperature, humidity, wind, or wildfires. COPD increases sensitivity to changes in air quality made worse by climate change.
People with chronic health conditions frequently have greater reliance on healthcare systems, which may become disrupted during extreme weather events. Climate change has the potential to impact individuals’ financial situations or displace people from their homes, which may result in
2.1 People with Access and Functional Needs
Per California Government Code, Section 8593.3, ““‘AFN populations’ consists of individuals who have developmental or intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, chronic conditions, injuries, limited English proficiency or who are non-English speaking, older adults, children, people living in institutionalized settings, or those who are low income, homeless, or transportation disadvantaged, including, but not limited to, those who are dependent on public transit or those who are pregnant.”
For the purposes of assessing climate change vulnerability, “people with AFNs” have been divided into the following subgroups, which are described in Section 2.2 through Section 2.8:
e People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions
e People with Low Incomes
e People Experiencing Homelessness
e Outdoor Workers
e Older Adults
e Children
e People without Life-Supporting Resources
2.2 People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions
People with existing chronic health conditions are most impacted by the intersections of heat waves, extreme weather events, unreliable/unavailable access to medical care, insufficient/nonexistent interpersonal support networks, and fewer resources to relocate, adapt, or and/or manage climate-related hazards. People of color and people from low-income communities tend to have relatively high rates of existing health conditions (e.g., heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], asthma). People living in areas of concentrated poverty also tend to have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and depression than residents not living in these areas.
Hospital admissions and emergency room visits increase during heat waves for people with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disease, and psychiatric illnesses. Heart disease increases sensitivity to heat stress. People with diabetes are subject to the impacts of extreme weather events, which may limit access to medicine and food that they need to stay healthy.
Asthma can be exacerbated by exposure to air pollution caused by or made worse by changes in temperature, humidity, wind, or wildfires. COPD increases sensitivity to changes in air quality made worse by climate change.
People with chronic health conditions frequently have greater reliance on healthcare systems, which may become disrupted during extreme weather events. Climate change has the potential to impact individuals’ financial situations or displace people from their homes, which may result in Vulnerability Assessment 12 July 2023
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limited access to healthcare services. Inaccessibility to quality, affordable healthcare can lead to worsening symptoms, compromised personal safety, and novel disease complications.
People with the following characteristics are at an increased risk of health impacts from climate change:
• Individuals 65 years or older
• Individuals without access to stable, reliable healthcare • Individuals with multiple health conditions or disabilities
2.3 People with Low Incomes
Economic factors, such as income, poverty, and wealth, are collectively one of the largest determinants of health. Higher income is associated with greater longevity in the United States.
Inequalities in longevity between those with lower and higher incomes continue to increase.9,10,11 The health status of most people with low incomes compounds the risk of climate change impacts.
Poverty increases vulnerability to climate change impacts, and communities experiencing poverty have fewer resources to evacuate during natural disasters, such as wildfires. Poverty also reduces the capacity to adapt to rising water or energy prices. Communities with low incomes face an even greater challenge when trying to rebuild after a disaster, especially because fewer people with low incomes have insurance. People with low to middle incomes have less access to healthcare and receive worse quality of care than people with high incomes. People with low incomes are also more likely to reside in housing that sustains damage due to lower-quality construction.
Climate change impacts on food cost and scarcity will magnify current inequalities in food access and choices. The existing disparities in health status and living conditions increase vulnerability of communities with low incomes to the health-related impacts of climate change. Climate-related health burdens due to poverty disproportionately impact the following populations:
• Populations who are unemployed, disabled, homeless, or have little formal education • Racial, ethnic, and linguistic minority groups, including migrants • Children of families with low incomes living in conditions that are harmful to their development
• Children in immigrant families with low incomes with reduced access to services • People with psychiatric disorders, including neurotic disorders, functional psychoses, and alcohol/drug dependence
9 Chetty, R., M. Stepner, S. Abraham, et al. 2016. “The Association Between Income and Life Expectancy in the United States, 2001–2014.” JAMA; Published online April 10. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.4226. 10 Marmot M., S. Friel, R. Bell, et al. “Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health Equity through Action on the Social Determinants of Health.” The Lancet. 2008;372(9650):1661–1669. 11 Woolf S.H., and P. Braveman. “Where Health Disparities Begin: The Role of Social and Economic Determinants—and Why Current Policies may Make Matters Worse.” Health Aff (Millwood). 2011;30(10): 1852–1859. limited access to healthcare services. Inaccessibility to quality, affordable healthcare can lead to worsening symptoms, compromised personal safety, and novel disease complications.
People with the following characteristics are at an increased risk of health impacts from climate change:
e Individuals 65 years or older
e Individuals without access to stable, reliable healthcare e Individuals with multiple health conditions or disabilities
2.3 People with Low Incomes
Economic factors, such as income, poverty, and wealth, are collectively one of the largest determinants of health. Higher income is associated with greater longevity in the United States.
Inequalities in longevity between those with lower and higher incomes continue to increase.”:!%'! The health status of most people with low incomes compounds the risk of climate change impacts.
Poverty increases vulnerability to climate change impacts, and communities experiencing poverty have fewer resources to evacuate during natural disasters, such as wildfires. Poverty also reduces the capacity to adapt to rising water or energy prices. Communities with low incomes face an even greater challenge when trying to rebuild after a disaster, especially because fewer people with low incomes have insurance. People with low to middle incomes have less access to healthcare and receive worse quality of care than people with high incomes. People with low incomes are also more likely to reside in housing that sustains damage due to lower-quality construction.
Climate change impacts on food cost and scarcity will magnify current inequalities in food access and choices. The existing disparities in health status and living conditions increase vulnerability of communities with low incomes to the health-related impacts of climate change. Climate-related health burdens due to poverty disproportionately impact the following populations:
e Populations who are unemployed, disabled, homeless, or have little formal education e Racial, ethnic, and linguistic minority groups, including migrants e Children of families with low incomes living in conditions that are harmful to their development
e Children in immigrant families with low incomes with reduced access to services e People with psychiatric disorders, including neurotic disorders, functional psychoses, and alcohol/drug dependence
° Chetty, R., M. Stepner, S. Abraham, et al. 2016. “The Association Between Income and Life Expectancy in the United States, 2001-2014.” JAMA; Published online April 10. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.4226. 1° Marmot M., S. Friel, R. Bell, et al. “Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health Equity through Action on the Social Determinants of Health.” The Lancet. 2008;372(9650):1661—1669.
’ Woolf S.H., and P. Braveman. “Where Health Disparities Begin: The Role of Social and Economic Determinants—and Why Current Policies may Make Matters Worse.” Health Aff (Millwood). 2011;30(10): 1852-1859.
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2.4 People Experiencing Homelessness
People experiencing homelessness can be defined as individuals who use shelters to sleep and individuals who sleep outdoors or in other places that are not intended for human habitation.
Homeless populations are more likely to live in poverty, lack access to healthcare services, and have multiple baseline conditions, such as poor health, which would be exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
Pre-existing conditions and lack of access to resources among this vulnerable population increase the likelihood of experiencing the negative impacts of climate change exposures, including air pollution, heat waves, vector-borne diseases, and storms and floods. Vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing homelessness, are at a higher risk of heat-related illness than other people living in a population. Heat illnesses are exacerbated because of difficulty finding refuge from the heat and hydrating during times of extreme temperatures. People experiencing homelessness are also more likely to have higher levels of exposure to outdoor air pollution. Residing in cities (unhoused) puts this group at higher risk of air pollutants from freeways and highways. Vectorborne diseases have higher impacts on this population because people experiencing homelessness are more likely to live in immuno-compromising situations that can exacerbate infectious diseases.
People experiencing homelessness are more likely to occupy marginal areas of cities—along freeways, in creeks/riverbeds, and other areas—making them more vulnerable to environmental hazards, such as storms and floods. The physical deficiency of shelter puts them at even greater risk from storms and floods from which they cannot seek protection, except in the limited availability of facilities to house this group. People experiencing homelessness are particularly susceptible to natural disasters but are often not included in disaster planning.
2.5 Outdoor Workers
Outdoor workers are often among the first to be exposed to the effects of climate change. Climate change is likely to affect the health of outdoor workers through increases in temperature, poor air quality, extreme weather, vector-transmitted diseases, industrial exposures, and damage to infrastructure. Outdoor workers affected by climate change include farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers; commercial fishery workers; foresters; construction workers; military personnel; miners; refinery workers; paramedics, firefighters, police, and other first responders; hazardous waste site workers; and transportation workers. Outdoor workers in Santee consist of gardeners, landscapers, and park/recreation staff who spend the majority of their workday outside.
Extreme heat may result in more cases of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion and fatigue, among outdoor workers, especially among more physically demanding occupations. Heat stress and fatigue can reduce alertness and work capacity, leading to safety lapses that can increase the risk of injury. Higher temperatures can also worsen air pollution,
2.4 People Experiencing Homelessness
People experiencing homelessness can be defined as individuals who use shelters to sleep and individuals who sleep outdoors or in other places that are not intended for human habitation.
Homeless populations are more likely to live in poverty, lack access to healthcare services, and have multiple baseline conditions, such as poor health, which would be exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
Pre-existing conditions and lack of access to resources among this vulnerable population increase the likelihood of experiencing the negative impacts of climate change exposures, including air pollution, heat waves, vector-borne diseases, and storms and floods. Vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing homelessness, are at a higher risk of heat-related illness than other people living in a population. Heat illnesses are exacerbated because of difficulty finding refuge from the heat and hydrating during times of extreme temperatures. People experiencing homelessness are also more likely to have higher levels of exposure to outdoor air pollution. Residing in cities (unhoused) puts this group at higher risk of air pollutants from freeways and highways. Vectorborne diseases have higher impacts on this population because people experiencing homelessness are more likely to live in immuno-compromising situations that can exacerbate infectious diseases.
People experiencing homelessness are more likely to occupy marginal areas of cities—along freeways, in creeks/riverbeds, and other areas—making them more vulnerable to environmental hazards, such as storms and floods. The physical deficiency of shelter puts them at even greater risk from storms and floods from which they cannot seek protection, except in the limited availability of facilities to house this group. People experiencing homelessness are particularly susceptible to natural disasters but are often not included in disaster planning.
2.5 Outdoor Workers
Outdoor workers are often among the first to be exposed to the effects of climate change. Climate change is likely to affect the health of outdoor workers through increases in temperature, poor air quality, extreme weather, vector-transmitted diseases, industrial exposures, and damage to infrastructure. Outdoor workers affected by climate change include farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers; commercial fishery workers; foresters; construction workers; military personnel; miners; refinery workers; paramedics, firefighters, police, and other first responders; hazardous waste site workers; and transportation workers. Outdoor workers in Santee consist of gardeners, landscapers, and park/recreation staff who spend the majority of their workday outside.
Extreme heat may result in more cases of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion and fatigue, among outdoor workers, especially among more physically demanding occupations. Heat stress and fatigue can reduce alertness and work capacity, leading to safety lapses that can increase the risk of injury. Higher temperatures can also worsen air pollution, Vulnerability Assessment 14 July 2023
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raising the risk of respiratory illness for workers. Heat extremes in areas not previously affected by higher temperatures can affect workers who are not used to working in high-heat conditions or are unaware of heat-related hazards.
Extreme events, such as floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires, are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change, which can create risky conditions for workers involved in disaster response, rescue, and cleanup. For example, firefighters battling wildfires are exposed to hazards, such as being overrun by fire, heat-related illnesses and injuries, smoke inhalation, and air pollutants. First responders and other emergency workers face greater health and safety risks when working in conditions with infrastructure disruptions, communication interruptions, and social unrest or violence following storms.
The most vulnerable outdoor workers include (1) farm workers/day laborers, since this population tends to have lower incomes and belong to communities of color, both of which are associated with adverse health effects due to climate change, and (2) immigrants who work outdoors, since this population is subject to long workdays under strenuous conditions, language barriers, limited capacity to protect their rights, and exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides.
2.6 Older Adults
Older adults are vulnerable to climate change-related impacts for a number of reasons. The primary reason is that normal changes in the body associated with aging, such as loss of muscle or bone mass and agility, can limit mobility. Aging also impairs cognitive abilities, immune systems, and the regulation of body temperature. Older adults are more likely to have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, that requires medications for treatment. Older adults with disabilities in one or more of the following areas may also need assistance with daily activities: communication (seeing, hearing, or speaking), mental functioning (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease or dementia), and physical functioning (limited or no ability to walk, climb stairs, or lift and grasp objects).
Climate change will increase extreme heat events and lead to higher temperatures throughout the year. Extreme heat exposure can increase the risk of illness and death among older adults, especially people with congestive heart failure, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions that increase sensitivity to heat. Growing evidence suggests that injury, disease, and death are greatest among older adults during heatwaves. Higher temperatures have also been linked to increased hospital admission for older adults with heart and lung conditions. Side effects of some medications intensify the heat-related conditions in older adults.
Climate change affects the frequency and intensity of some extreme weather events, such as flooding related to heavy rains, hurricanes, coastal storms, droughts, and wildfires. Older adults are more likely to suffer storm- and flood-related fatalities and have a high risk of both physical and mental impacts if an extreme weather event requires evacuation. People with disabilities, with chronic medical raising the risk of respiratory illness for workers. Heat extremes in areas not previously affected by higher temperatures can affect workers who are not used to working in high-heat conditions or are unaware of heat-related hazards.
Extreme events, such as floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires, are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of climate change, which can create risky conditions for workers involved in disaster response, rescue, and cleanup. For example, firefighters battling wildfires are exposed to hazards, such as being overrun by fire, heat-related illnesses and injuries, smoke inhalation, and air pollutants. First responders and other emergency workers face greater health and safety risks when working in conditions with infrastructure disruptions, communication interruptions, and social unrest or violence following storms.
The most vulnerable outdoor workers include (1) farm workers/day laborers, since this population tends to have lower incomes and belong to communities of color, both of which are associated with adverse health effects due to climate change, and (2) immigrants who work outdoors, since this population is subject to long workdays under strenuous conditions, language barriers, limited capacity to protect their rights, and exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides.
2.6 Older Adults
Older adults are vulnerable to climate change-related impacts for a number of reasons. The primary reason is that normal changes in the body associated with aging, such as loss of muscle or bone mass and agility, can limit mobility. Aging also impairs cognitive abilities, immune systems, and the regulation of body temperature. Older adults are more likely to have a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, that requires medications for treatment. Older adults with disabilities in one or more of the following areas may also need assistance with daily activities: communication (seeing, hearing, or speaking), mental functioning (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease or dementia), and physical functioning (limited or no ability to walk, climb stairs, or lift and grasp objects).
Climate change will increase extreme heat events and lead to higher temperatures throughout the year. Extreme heat exposure can increase the risk of illness and death among older adults, especially people with congestive heart failure, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions that increase sensitivity to heat. Growing evidence suggests that injury, disease, and death are greatest among older adults during heatwaves. Higher temperatures have also been linked to increased hospital admission for older adults with heart and lung conditions. Side effects of some medications intensify the heat-related conditions in older adults.
Climate change affects the frequency and intensity of some extreme weather events, such as flooding related to heavy rains, hurricanes, coastal storms, droughts, and wildfires. Older adults are more likely to suffer storm- and flood-related fatalities and have a high risk of both physical and mental impacts if an extreme weather event requires evacuation. People with disabilities, with chronic medical Vulnerability Assessment 15 July 2023
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conditions, or living in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities are some of the most vulnerable.
Health impacts are made worse by interruptions in medical care and challenges associated with transporting patients with their necessary medication, medical records, and any equipment like oxygen.
Extreme events can also cause power outages that can affect electrically powered medical equipment and elevators, leaving some people without treatment or the ability to evacuate.
Older adult populations with the following characteristics are at an increased risk of health impacts from climate change:
• Aged 65 years or older
• Live alone, have limited mobility, are socially isolated, are residents of institutions, or are dependent on care
• Are women, have a low socioeconomic status, or are African American • Have multiple chronic conditions (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, diabetes) or pre-existing health conditions
2.7 Children
Children’s continuous, ongoing growth and development from infancy to adolescence makes them more sensitive to environmental hazards related to climate change. Injury, death, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and post-traumatic stress are more common in children than adults after extreme weather events. Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of their (1) growing bodies, (2) unique behaviors and interactions with the world around them, and (3) dependence on caregivers.
Children’s behaviors and interactions with their surroundings increase their exposure to certain health threats that are expected to increase due to climate change. Children, particularly those with disabilities or special health needs, must rely on parents or caregivers to provide basic needs, such as nutrition, shelter, and hygiene. Children also spend more time outdoors than adults, which increases their risk of being exposed to extreme heat and higher average temperatures, pollutants in air and water, and diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks.
Individuals who are the most vulnerable to climate impacts include young children, infants, and pregnant women; children in low-income, rural, immigrant, or linguistically isolated households; children with pre-existing conditions (cardiac/respiratory); and children who spend considerable time outdoors.
2.8 People without Life-Supporting Resources
Life-supporting resources are essential to one’s resilience in the face of climate change. Such resources include access to secure housing, access to food and sustenance, means to stay cool during extreme heat events, access to reliable transportation (for evacuating or navigating natural conditions, or living in nursing homes or assisted-living facilities are some of the most vulnerable.
Health impacts are made worse by interruptions in medical care and challenges associated with transporting patients with their necessary medication, medical records, and any equipment like oxygen.
Extreme events can also cause power outages that can affect electrically powered medical equipment and elevators, leaving some people without treatment or the ability to evacuate.
Older adult populations with the following characteristics are at an increased risk of health impacts from climate change:
e Aged 65 years or older
e Live alone, have limited mobility, are socially isolated, are residents of institutions, or are dependent on care
e Are women, have a low socioeconomic status, or are African American e Have multiple chronic conditions (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, diabetes) or pre-existing health conditions
2.7 Children
Children’s continuous, ongoing growth and development from infancy to adolescence makes them more sensitive to environmental hazards related to climate change. Injury, death, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and post-traumatic stress are more common in children than adults after extreme weather events. Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of their (1) growing bodies, (2) unique behaviors and interactions with the world around them, and (3) dependence on caregivers.
Children’s behaviors and interactions with their surroundings increase their exposure to certain health threats that are expected to increase due to climate change. Children, particularly those with disabilities or special health needs, must rely on parents or caregivers to provide basic needs, such as nutrition, shelter, and hygiene. Children also spend more time outdoors than adults, which increases their risk of being exposed to extreme heat and higher average temperatures, pollutants in air and water, and diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks.
Individuals who are the most vulnerable to climate impacts include young children, infants, and pregnant women; children in low-income, rural, immigrant, or linguistically isolated households; children with pre-existing conditions (cardiac/respiratory); and children who spend considerable time outdoors.
2.8 People without Life-Supporting Resources
Life-supporting resources are essential to one’s resilience in the face of climate change. Such resources include access to secure housing, access to food and sustenance, means to stay cool during extreme heat events, access to reliable transportation (for evacuating or navigating natural Vulnerability Assessment 16 July 2023
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disasters), and access to healthcare. Health, well-being, and resilience during climate changerelated events are closely related to the availability of these resources. In other words, individuals who lack one or more of these resources (i.e., people who experience food insecurity, are uninsured, lack adequate and quality housing or are tenants or renters, and with low incomes) are especially vulnerable.
Climate change resiliency is dependent on several factors, including social status, geographic location, race, gender, disability, and personal resource, which significantly impact one’s overall well-being during gradual or sudden climate-related events. Certain groups (e.g., renters, foodinsecure individuals) disproportionately lack life-supporting resources. Renters without air conditioning are vulnerable to heat illness and are often unable to install air conditioners because they do not own their home. Many people facing economic challenges choose not to use their air conditioning units, even if they have them, due to concern about paying energy bills. Food-insecure individuals already experience hunger, which affects their immune systems and economic stability, but may experience excessive food insecurity during food shortages or price increases due to climate-related food scarcity.
People who lack multiple life-supporting resources will be especially vulnerable to a wide array, as well as a deeper extent, of climate impacts. Many of these vulnerabilities have different levels (e.g., level of food insecurity or quality of housing). Following are the individuals who are especially impacted and under-resourced:
• Those who are already vulnerable due to other factors (e.g., an individual who faces discrimination based on race, gender, or disability)
• Those who are unable to access compensating emergency resources (e.g., a person experiencing homelessness who is refused from a homeless shelter) • Those who lack access to multiple resources (e.g., a person who cannot afford safe, secure housing or healthy, nutritious food)
2.9 Section 2 Summary
Section 2 discussed vulnerability to climate change-related effects focusing on AFN populations.
Section 3 will discuss four climate change-related hazards (extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought) and the risk that Santee’s vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure face from these hazards.
disasters), and access to healthcare. Health, well-being, and resilience during climate changerelated events are closely related to the availability of these resources. In other words, individuals who lack one or more of these resources (i.e., people who experience food insecurity, are uninsured, lack adequate and quality housing or are tenants or renters, and with low incomes) are especially vulnerable.
Climate change resiliency is dependent on several factors, including social status, geographic location, race, gender, disability, and personal resource, which significantly impact one’s overall well-being during gradual or sudden climate-related events. Certain groups (e.g., renters, foodinsecure individuals) disproportionately lack life-supporting resources. Renters without air conditioning are vulnerable to heat illness and are often unable to install air conditioners because they do not own their home. Many people facing economic challenges choose not to use their air conditioning units, even if they have them, due to concern about paying energy bills. Food-insecure individuals already experience hunger, which affects their immune systems and economic stability, but may experience excessive food insecurity during food shortages or price increases due to climate-related food scarcity.
People who lack multiple life-supporting resources will be especially vulnerable to a wide array, as well as a deeper extent, of climate impacts. Many of these vulnerabilities have different levels (e.g., level of food insecurity or quality of housing). Following are the individuals who are especially impacted and under-resourced:
e Those who are already vulnerable due to other factors (e.g., an individual who faces discrimination based on race, gender, or disability)
e Those who are unable to access compensating emergency resources (e.g., a person experiencing homelessness who is refused from a homeless shelter) e Those who lack access to multiple resources (e.g., a person who cannot afford safe, secure housing or healthy, nutritious food)
2.9 Section 2 Summary
Section 2 discussed vulnerability to climate change-related effects focusing on AFN populations.
Section 3 will discuss four climate change-related hazards (extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought) and the risk that Santee’s vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure face from these hazards.
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Section 3 Climate Change Hazards and
Community Vulnerabilities
The Vulnerability Assessment addresses the climate change-related hazards that are the most pressing to the City, including extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought. The analysis presented in this section evaluates how hazards are expected to occur, including frequency and severity, and how these hazards will affect sensitive populations and critical facilities at the local level. In Santee, climate change is expected to intensify specific existing hazards or create new hazards.
3.1 Extreme Heat
Overall temperatures are expected to rise in California during the twenty-first century. While the entire state will experience temperature increases, local impacts will vary greatly. The County’s 2018 MJHMP projects that the region will face an increase in the frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves in the coming decades. Extreme heat days are defined by days where the daily maximum temperature exceeds a threshold temperature of 98.7 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Threshold temperatures are defined as the 98th percentile value (or the highest 2 percent of days) of historical daily maximum temperatures from 1961 to 1990 between April and October in Santee.
3.1.1 Exposure
The observed historical annual average temperature in Santee is 76.1°F. Average temperatures are projected to increase between 3.8°F and 4.7°F by mid-century (2035–2064) and between 4.9°F and 8.1°F by end of century (2070–2099), depending on the emissions scenario. In addition, the number of extreme heat days is projected to increase from a historical average of 3 days per year to between 12 and 15 days by mid-century and 16 to 32 days by end of century. Warmer days will also be accompanied by an increasing number of warmer nights.
3.1.2 Sensitivity
The Sustainable Santee Plan describes the impacts of extreme heat days on public health and safety. Intrinsic heat-related risks include age, socioeconomic status, and pre-existing medical conditions. The communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat are people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, people without life-supporting resources, older adults, young children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental illness)—all of which are communities that may have a potential inability to survive/thrive in hotter conditions.
Other extrinsic factors, or those external to an individual, that increase sensitivity to extreme heat include neighborhoods with high levels of impervious surfaces and low tree cover or housing units that lack air conditioning. Immigration status and occupational profession are other significant Section3 Climate Change Hazards and
Community Vulnerabilities
The Vulnerability Assessment addresses the climate change-related hazards that are the most pressing to the City, including extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought. The analysis presented in this section evaluates how hazards are expected to occur, including frequency and severity, and how these hazards will affect sensitive populations and critical facilities at the local level. In Santee, climate change is expected to intensify specific existing hazards or create new hazards.
3.1 Extreme Heat
Overall temperatures are expected to rise in California during the twenty-first century. While the entire state will experience temperature increases, local impacts will vary greatly. The County’s 2018 MJHMP projects that the region will face an increase in the frequency, duration, and severity of heatwaves in the coming decades. Extreme heat days are defined by days where the daily maximum temperature exceeds a threshold temperature of 98.7 degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Threshold temperatures are defined as the 98th percentile value (or the highest 2 percent of days) of historical daily maximum temperatures from 1961 to 1990 between April and October in Santee.
3.1.1 Exposure
The observed historical annual average temperature in Santee is 76.1°F. Average temperatures are projected to increase between 3.8°F and 4.7°F by mid-century (2035-2064) and between 4.9°F and 8.1°F by end of century (2070-2099), depending on the emissions scenario. In addition, the number of extreme heat days is projected to increase from a historical average of 3 days per year to between 12 and 15 days by mid-century and 16 to 32 days by end of century. Warmer days will also be accompanied by an increasing number of warmer nights.
3.1.2 Sensitivity
The Sustainable Santee Plan describes the impacts of extreme heat days on public health and safety. Intrinsic heat-related risks include age, socioeconomic status, and pre-existing medical conditions. The communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat are people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, people without life-supporting resources, older adults, young children, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental illness)—all of which are communities that may have a potential inability to survive/thrive in hotter conditions.
Other extrinsic factors, or those external to an individual, that increase sensitivity to extreme heat include neighborhoods with high levels of impervious surfaces and low tree cover or housing units that lack air conditioning. Immigration status and occupational profession are other significant Vulnerability Assessment 19 July 2023
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factors that may contribute to an individual’s sensitivity to heat events, particularly outdoor workers and warehouse workers who do not have adequate accommodations and protections.
Santee’s unsheltered population is among the most sensitive to heat events.
The Heat Health Action Index score is a statistically weighted result of indicators that is intended to represent geographic areas of greater heat sensitivity. Indicators include the following:
• Social vulnerability, such as percent of poverty, outdoor workers, and no vehicle access • Health, including asthma rates and cardiovascular disease rates • Environment, including lack of tree canopy, urban heat island, and ozone concentration The composite score identifies the census tracts that may be most susceptible to heat health events.
Heat health events are defined by a set of meteorological conditions over several days that have been associated with negative public health events. Higher scores indicate greater vulnerability.
Figure 5, Heat Health Action Index,shows Heat Health Action Index scores for Santee by census tract, providing an overall summary of heat vulnerability for Santee. As shown on Figure 5, heat vulnerability ranges from low to moderate, with the moderately vulnerable census tracts located in the central and southern portions of Santee. Some of the moderately vulnerable census tracts are also disadvantaged communities, bordered by State Route (SR-) 52 and SR-67. Disadvantaged communities are identified and analyzed in the City’s Safety and Environmental Justice Element and Existing Conditions Report. Santee’s disadvantaged communities have been included on Figure 5 for comparison between the communities that have been identified as “disadvantaged” and the communities that are most vulnerable to impacts of extreme heat.12 Most buildings that house or operate as critical infrastructure may not be particularly sensitive to extreme heat. However, to the extent that Santee’s electrical infrastructure is sensitive to extreme heat, so are Santee’s critical facilities that depend on reliable electricity to power their operations, including hospitals, fire and police stations, schools, and water facilities. Higher temperatures can decrease the capacity of grid components (i.e., power plants, substations, and transmission lines) while increasing electricity demand due to increased cooling needs. 12 California Natural Resources Agency. 2021. “California Heat Assessment Tool (CHAT).” Accessed July 2023. https://www.calheat.org/. factors that may contribute to an individual’s sensitivity to heat events, particularly outdoor workers and warehouse workers who do not have adequate accommodations and protections.
Santee’s unsheltered population is among the most sensitive to heat events.
The Heat Health Action Index score is a statistically weighted result of indicators that is intended to represent geographic areas of greater heat sensitivity. Indicators include the following:
e Social vulnerability, such as percent of poverty, outdoor workers, and no vehicle access e Health, including asthma rates and cardiovascular disease rates e Environment, including lack of tree canopy, urban heat island, and ozone concentration The composite score identifies the census tracts that may be most susceptible to heat health events.
Heat health events are defined by a set of meteorological conditions over several days that have been associated with negative public health events. Higher scores indicate greater vulnerability.
Figure 5, Heat Health Action Index, shows Heat Health Action Index scores for Santee by census tract, providing an overall summary of heat vulnerability for Santee. As shown on Figure 5, heat vulnerability ranges from low to moderate, with the moderately vulnerable census tracts located in the central and southern portions of Santee. Some of the moderately vulnerable census tracts are also disadvantaged communities, bordered by State Route (SR-) 52 and SR-67. Disadvantaged communities are identified and analyzed in the City’s Safety and Environmental Justice Element and Existing Conditions Report. Santee’s disadvantaged communities have been included on Figure 5 for comparison between the communities that have been identified as “disadvantaged” and the communities that are most vulnerable to impacts of extreme heat. !” Most buildings that house or operate as critical infrastructure may not be particularly sensitive to extreme heat. However, to the extent that Santee’s electrical infrastructure is sensitive to extreme heat, so are Santee’s critical facilities that depend on reliable electricity to power their operations, including hospitals, fire and police stations, schools, and water facilities. Higher temperatures can decrease the capacity of grid components (i.e., power plants, substations, and transmission lines) while increasing electricity demand due to increased cooling needs. ‘2 California Natural Resources Agency. 2021. “California Heat Assessment Tool (CHAT).” Accessed July 2023. https://www.calheat.org/.
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Figure Figure 55. . Heat Health Action Index Heat Health Action Index is City Boundary
(_) Census Tracts
C) Disadvantaged Community
Heat Health Action Index
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3.1.3 Potential Impact
Climate change, particularly extreme heat events, present serious health risks to Santee residents.
Increased temperature or extended periods of elevated temperatures can increase heat-related mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality, respiratory mortality, and heart attacks while increasing hospital admissions and emergency room visits. Extreme heat can also affect a person’s ability to thermo-regulate, causing heat stress and sometimes leading to death. Heat also intensifies smog and air pollutants that can contribute to and exacerbate respiratory disease and result in more asthma and heart attacks. Furthermore, the same areas that are most exposed to extreme heat are often the same areas that lack tree canopy and have high concentrations of racial minorities, making extreme heat an issue of environmental justice in addition to community safety (refer to Figure 5). “Potential impact” refers to how incidents of extreme heat will affect sensitive critical facilities.
Extreme heat events do not necessarily have significant impacts on most critical facilities.
However, the Sustainable Santee Plan acknowledges that infrastructure is generally built to meet historical climate conditions so it can potentially be impacted by extreme heat. For example, roadways and railways are dark or metal based, conducting heat and raising temperatures well beyond the observed air temperature. Increased temperatures can cause pavement to soften and expand, causing potholes. Railways can buckle under extreme heat, requiring trains to go slower to navigate the buckle or stop service for repairs.
The County’s MJHMP identifies the secondary impacts of heat, such as power outages and poor air quality. Critical facilities can be susceptible to extreme heat due to additional demand placed on the power system to power air conditioning. Extreme heat events may result in power demand outpacing supply, resulting in power outages. When this happens, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) implements California Independent System Operator Rotating Outages, wherein SDG&E rotates the outage across groups of customers throughout the service territory to protect the integrity of the electric system while limiting the inconvenience to any one customer or community. Loss of power can disrupt essential public facilities and services and pose a public health risk to residents. Further, increased temperatures can have an impact on air quality because ozone formation, a component of smog, increases with higher temperatures.13 In the event of extreme heat that causes power outages, the loss of power would have the most significant impact impacts on utilities, such as electricity and water, in addition to public health, public safety, and school facilities. Power outages, without back-up generation, could result in the loss of foundational critical services that are necessary to function: electricity, water, medical care, and police and fire protection services. Loss of services would have wide-reaching impacts for services and community members, especially those with medical conditions, older adults, and 13 County of San Diego. 2018. Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. October. Accessed July 2023. https://www. sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/oes/emergency_management/HazMit/2018/2018%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan.pdf.
3.1.3 Potential Impact
Climate change, particularly extreme heat events, present serious health risks to Santee residents.
Increased temperature or extended periods of elevated temperatures can increase heat-related mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality, respiratory mortality, and heart attacks while increasing hospital admissions and emergency room visits. Extreme heat can also affect a person’s ability to thermo-regulate, causing heat stress and sometimes leading to death. Heat also intensifies smog and air pollutants that can contribute to and exacerbate respiratory disease and result in more asthma and heart attacks. Furthermore, the same areas that are most exposed to extreme heat are often the same areas that lack tree canopy and have high concentrations of racial minorities, making extreme heat an issue of environmental justice in addition to community safety (refer to Figure 5). “Potential impact” refers to how incidents of extreme heat will affect sensitive critical facilities.
Extreme heat events do not necessarily have significant impacts on most critical facilities.
However, the Sustainable Santee Plan acknowledges that infrastructure is generally built to meet historical climate conditions so it can potentially be impacted by extreme heat. For example, roadways and railways are dark or metal based, conducting heat and raising temperatures well beyond the observed air temperature. Increased temperatures can cause pavement to soften and expand, causing potholes. Railways can buckle under extreme heat, requiring trains to go slower to navigate the buckle or stop service for repairs.
The County’s MJHMP identifies the secondary impacts of heat, such as power outages and poor air quality. Critical facilities can be susceptible to extreme heat due to additional demand placed on the power system to power air conditioning. Extreme heat events may result in power demand outpacing supply, resulting in power outages. When this happens, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) implements California Independent System Operator Rotating Outages, wherein SDG&E rotates the outage across groups of customers throughout the service territory to protect the integrity of the electric system while limiting the inconvenience to any one customer or community. Loss of power can disrupt essential public facilities and services and pose a public health risk to residents. Further, increased temperatures can have an impact on air quality because ozone formation, a component of smog, increases with higher temperatures. '° In the event of extreme heat that causes power outages, the loss of power would have the most significant impact impacts on utilities, such as electricity and water, in addition to public health, public safety, and school facilities. Power outages, without back-up generation, could result in the loss of foundational critical services that are necessary to function: electricity, water, medical care, and police and fire protection services. Loss of services would have wide-reaching impacts for services and community members, especially those with medical conditions, older adults, and ‘3 County of San Diego. 2018. Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. October. Accessed July 2023. https://www. sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/oes/emergency_management/HazMit/2018/2018%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan.pdf.
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children. Loss of power due to extreme demand placed on the grid is a potential secondary impact and primarily given a medium score. Water and power are also critical to emergency response to the impacts of extreme heat, which is why the potential impact score is high.
3.1.4 Adaptive Capacity
The Sustainable Santee Plan, adopted in December 2019, is the City’s roadmap to reducing GHG emissions, and includes GHG emissions forecasts, targets, reduction measures, and adaptation strategies to climate change impacts, including extreme heat. The City identified the following strategies to protect the health and safety of residents from extreme heat:
• Map neighborhoods that could be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including heat, to identify high-risk areas of Santee
• Create cooling centers at public spaces, such as libraries, for populations without air conditioning
• Implement cooling technologies, such as cool roofs and cool pavements • Strategically place shade near buildings, in parking lots, and along bike and pedestrian pathways
• Use reverse 911 to notify residents of serious events or natural disasters and encourage residents to register into AlertSanDiego, the regional notification system for emergency or disaster warnings
The Sustainable Santee Plan also promotes reducing heat impacts by increasing tree canopy cover through planting trees and vegetation and replacing paved areas with light-reflecting materials, cool roofs, and cool pavement. Trees and vegetation lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade. This can help mitigate impacts of extreme heat, especially urban heat island effect, while also decreasing energy demand by providing shade and cooling temperatures. Urban heat island effect occurs when natural land cover is replaced with non-permeable surfaces, concentrations of pavement, and other hard surfaces that absorb and retain heat.
The City has a Cool Zone Program, which designates cool zone sites with air conditioning where residents, such as older adults, and others can gather during the summer to escape the heat and cool off before going back outside. Cool zones provide access to air conditioning to those who may not have it and encourage residents to share air conditioning by visiting the designated center, therefore lowering individual energy use and helping conserve energy for the entire community.
Although not all locations are pre-identified, City Hall is often a designated cooling center, in addition to the Santee Cool Zone (Library and Community Center) and Lakeside Cool Zone in the neighboring City of Lakeside. During an extreme heat event, the City will identify additional locations of cooling centers based on availability and other variables. This information is conveyed to the public through the City’s Public Information Officer in coordination with the Emergency Manager and City Manager. Further, the City’s Public Information Officer, in coordination with children. Loss of power due to extreme demand placed on the grid is a potential secondary impact and primarily given a medium score. Water and power are also critical to emergency response to the impacts of extreme heat, which is why the potential impact score is high.
3.1.4 Adaptive Capacity
The Sustainable Santee Plan, adopted in December 2019, is the City’s roadmap to reducing GHG emissions, and includes GHG emissions forecasts, targets, reduction measures, and adaptation strategies to climate change impacts, including extreme heat. The City identified the following strategies to protect the health and safety of residents from extreme heat:
e Map neighborhoods that could be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including heat, to identify high-risk areas of Santee
e Create cooling centers at public spaces, such as libraries, for populations without air conditioning
e Implement cooling technologies, such as cool roofs and cool pavements e Strategically place shade near buildings, in parking lots, and along bike and pedestrian pathways
e Use reverse 911 to notify residents of serious events or natural disasters and encourage residents to register into AlertSanDiego, the regional notification system for emergency or disaster warnings
The Sustainable Santee Plan also promotes reducing heat impacts by increasing tree canopy cover through planting trees and vegetation and replacing paved areas with light-reflecting materials, cool roofs, and cool pavement. Trees and vegetation lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade. This can help mitigate impacts of extreme heat, especially urban heat island effect, while also decreasing energy demand by providing shade and cooling temperatures. Urban heat island effect occurs when natural land cover is replaced with non-permeable surfaces, concentrations of pavement, and other hard surfaces that absorb and retain heat.
The City has a Cool Zone Program, which designates cool zone sites with air conditioning where residents, such as older adults, and others can gather during the summer to escape the heat and cool off before going back outside. Cool zones provide access to air conditioning to those who may not have it and encourage residents to share air conditioning by visiting the designated center, therefore lowering individual energy use and helping conserve energy for the entire community.
Although not all locations are pre-identified, City Hall is often a designated cooling center, in addition to the Santee Cool Zone (Library and Community Center) and Lakeside Cool Zone in the neighboring City of Lakeside. During an extreme heat event, the City will identify additional locations of cooling centers based on availability and other variables. This information is conveyed to the public through the City’s Public Information Officer in coordination with the Emergency Manager and City Manager. Further, the City’s Public Information Officer, in coordination with Vulnerability Assessment 23 July 2023
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the County, releases information to the public about extreme heat events, including early warnings, so residents can prepare and access resources accordingly. Information about the Santee Cool Zone, as well as other cool zones throughout the county, can be found on the City’s website.
The Santee Fire Department provides several resources on its Public Education and Emergency Preparedness web page including , preparedness tips and recommendations from the Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization, County Office of Disaster Preparedness, State of California, American Red Cross, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It identifies supplies, equipment, and special recommendations for children and people with disabilities, emergency kits, and actions one can take during power outages.
Some critical facilities are equipped with back-up generators that provide an alternate source of power in the event of an outage, ensuring critical services continue to operate. Specific public safety buildings and operations (sheriff’s office, detention facilities, and fire stations) are equipped with back-up generators, as is Padre Dam Municipal Water District (PDMWD) and potentially a local pump station.
Chapter 8.06 of the Santee Municipal Code is the City’s Urban Forestry Ordinance, which sets forth tree-related policies, regulations, and maintenance standards on public property and public right-of-way. It also articulates policies for tree planting as a condition of residential, industrial, and commercial development. The ordinance ensures that Santee will continue to realize the benefits of urban forestry and that trees are properly maintained through care, maintenance, diversity of tree species, landscaping, planting, and removal. It also supports the City’s commitment to the generally accepted Tree City USA status and Growth Award status as designated by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, respectively. Chapter 13 of the Santee Municipal Code is the Zoning Code, which guides the growth and development of Santee. Relevant to this Vulnerability Assessment, the Santee Zoning Code includes requirements for parks and open space districts and landscape and irrigation regulations. Through the Santee Zoning Code relevant to parks and open space districts, the City seeks to promote a mix of open space with development to conserve and preserve natural resources, avoid hazards, provide low-intensity development, and protect residents from the impact of hazards. Parks, open space, and urban tree cover work together to combat the impacts of extreme heat.
The City could also evaluate infrastructure vulnerability based on current degradation and expected climate-related impacts; prioritize and plan for infrastructure improvements that increase fire safety and reduce energy, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods; and identify alternative routes where infrastructure damage may occur.
the County, releases information to the public about extreme heat events, including early warnings, so residents can prepare and access resources accordingly. Information about the Santee Cool Zone, as well as other cool zones throughout the county, can be found on the City’s website.
The Santee Fire Department provides several resources on its Public Education and Emergency Preparedness web page including , preparedness tips and recommendations from the Unified San Diego County Emergency Services Organization, County Office of Disaster Preparedness, State of California, American Red Cross, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It identifies supplies, equipment, and special recommendations for children and people with disabilities, emergency kits, and actions one can take during power outages.
Some critical facilities are equipped with back-up generators that provide an alternate source of power in the event of an outage, ensuring critical services continue to operate. Specific public safety buildings and operations (sheriff’s office, detention facilities, and fire stations) are equipped with back-up generators, as is Padre Dam Municipal Water District (PDMWD) and potentially a local pump station.
Chapter 8.06 of the Santee Municipal Code is the City’s Urban Forestry Ordinance, which sets forth tree-related policies, regulations, and maintenance standards on public property and public right-of-way. It also articulates policies for tree planting as a condition of residential, industrial, and commercial development. The ordinance ensures that Santee will continue to realize the benefits of urban forestry and that trees are properly maintained through care, maintenance, diversity of tree species, landscaping, planting, and removal. It also supports the City’s commitment to the generally accepted Tree City USA status and Growth Award status as designated by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, respectively. Chapter 13 of the Santee Municipal Code is the Zoning Code, which guides the growth and development of Santee. Relevant to this Vulnerability Assessment, the Santee Zoning Code includes requirements for parks and open space districts and landscape and irrigation regulations. Through the Santee Zoning Code relevant to parks and open space districts, the City seeks to promote a mix of open space with development to conserve and preserve natural resources, avoid hazards, provide low-intensity development, and protect residents from the impact of hazards. Parks, open space, and urban tree cover work together to combat the impacts of extreme heat.
The City could also evaluate infrastructure vulnerability based on current degradation and expected climate-related impacts; prioritize and plan for infrastructure improvements that increase fire safety and reduce energy, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods; and identify alternative routes where infrastructure damage may occur.
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3.1.5 Vulnerability Score
Table 3, Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Heat, provides the vulnerability scoring for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in response to extreme heat risks in Santee. The reasoning for the scoring provided in Table 3 is discussed below.
Extreme heat poses the most significant threat to people, especially vulnerable residents, and climate change is expected to exacerbate extreme heat. Vulnerable populations were given high scores for potential impact and primarily medium to high scores for adaptive capacity, which resulted in relatively high vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 3 to 5; Table 3). Of all the sensitive populations, people who are most at risk of experiencing more intense, life-threatening cases of heat-related illnesses are more likely to experience the impacts of extreme heat.
People experiencing homelessness may experience more heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, due to their limited ability to seek refuge from above-average heat during times of extreme temperatures. Outdoor workers, especially those who are not used to working in high-heat conditions or are unaware of heat-related hazards, may experience more heat-related illnesses, such as respiratory issues resulting from poor air quality caused by higher temperatures. People without lifesupporting resources may experience more heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and fatigue, due to their limited ability to install and/or afford air conditioning in their homes.
Critical facilities were primarily given medium vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 2 to 4; Table 3). This is due to the statewide concern regarding climate change and rising temperatures.
The State of California recognizes temperatures continue to rise, heat waves are more frequent, and precipitation continues to be highly variable. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment produced climate projections that indicate temperatures will continue to increase and the number of extreme heat days will increase exponentially in many regions. By the middle or end of the century, greater impacts could occur on critical facilities and the built environment. A high potential impact score was given to utilities. Although extreme heat in the near-term may pose minimal threat to buildings themselves, it can result in secondary impacts, such as demand for power that outpaces supply, causing outages and disruptions. Potential disruptions could have a high impact on utilities because utilities are responsible for power and water, which are both necessary for cooling. Because outages and disruptions are considered a secondary impact, a medium impact score is given to critical facilities categories other than utilities, which would be slightly more impacted.
To mitigate the impacts of extreme heat, City Hall and the Santee Library serve as designated cool zone cooling centers, decreasing the vulnerability and providing capacity to mitigate impacts of extreme heat. The cooling centers and extreme heat warnings help keep residents safe during extreme heat events. Medium to high adaptive capacity scores were given to vulnerability populations, acknowledging the multiple resources provided to residents but also allowing for
3.1.5 Vulnerability Score
Table 3, Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Heat, provides the vulnerability scoring for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in response to extreme heat risks in Santee. The reasoning for the scoring provided in Table 3 is discussed below.
Extreme heat poses the most significant threat to people, especially vulnerable residents, and climate change is expected to exacerbate extreme heat. Vulnerable populations were given high scores for potential impact and primarily medium to high scores for adaptive capacity, which resulted in relatively high vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 3 to 5; Table 3). Of all the sensitive populations, people who are most at risk of experiencing more intense, life-threatening cases of heat-related illnesses are more likely to experience the impacts of extreme heat.
People experiencing homelessness may experience more heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, due to their limited ability to seek refuge from above-average heat during times of extreme temperatures. Outdoor workers, especially those who are not used to working in high-heat conditions or are unaware of heat-related hazards, may experience more heat-related illnesses, such as respiratory issues resulting from poor air quality caused by higher temperatures. People without lifesupporting resources may experience more heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and fatigue, due to their limited ability to install and/or afford air conditioning in their homes.
Critical facilities were primarily given medium vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 2 to 4; Table 3). This is due to the statewide concern regarding climate change and rising temperatures.
The State of California recognizes temperatures continue to rise, heat waves are more frequent, and precipitation continues to be highly variable. California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment produced climate projections that indicate temperatures will continue to increase and the number of extreme heat days will increase exponentially in many regions. By the middle or end of the century, greater impacts could occur on critical facilities and the built environment. A high potential impact score was given to utilities. Although extreme heat in the near-term may pose minimal threat to buildings themselves, it can result in secondary impacts, such as demand for power that outpaces supply, causing outages and disruptions. Potential disruptions could have a high impact on utilities because utilities are responsible for power and water, which are both necessary for cooling. Because outages and disruptions are considered a secondary impact, a medium impact score is given to critical facilities categories other than utilities, which would be slightly more impacted.
To mitigate the impacts of extreme heat, City Hall and the Santee Library serve as designated cool zone cooling centers, decreasing the vulnerability and providing capacity to mitigate impacts of extreme heat. The cooling centers and extreme heat warnings help keep residents safe during extreme heat events. Medium to high adaptive capacity scores were given to vulnerability populations, acknowledging the multiple resources provided to residents but also allowing for Vulnerability Assessment 25 July 2023
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opportunities to increase the number of cool zones or provide additional programs that increase access to air conditioning, especially for people with AFNs.
Given that most critical facilities, such as City operational buildings, PDMWD facilities, and public safety buildings, are equipped with back-up generators, these facilities were given high adaptive capacity scores. The City could increase its resiliency by further identifying facilities without generators and equipping more facilities with generators. At the time of this assessment, specific details about generators and cooling at public health facilities, schools, and transportation facilities was unknown. Due to the nature of the services provided at public health facilities and schools, they presumably are equipped with generators and, therefore, received a medium score.
This provides opportunities for collaboration with these entities to increase resilience. However, capabilities were lesser known for the transportation category and given a default low score.
Presumably, additional facilities could benefit from widespread distribution of generators or heat mitigation capabilities.
Table 3. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Heat Category Potential Impact Adaptive Capacity Score Vulnerability Score Sensitive Populations
People with AFNs High Medium 4
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions High High 3 People with Low Incomes High High 3
People Experiencing Homelessness High Low 5
Outdoor Workers High Medium 4
Older Adults High High 3
Children High High 3
People without Life-Saving Resources High Medium 4
Critical Facilities
City Operations Medium High 2
Public Safety Facilities – Generator Medium High 2
Public Health Facilities Medium Medium 3
Community Centers Medium High 2
Utility Facilities – Generator High High 3
Critical Transportation Medium Low 4
Schools Medium Medium 3
Notes: AFNs = access and functional needs
3.2 Wildfire
3.2.1 Exposure
Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, and Figure 4.6, Fire Hazard Map, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element profiles fire hazard risk in Santee. According to the County Office opportunities to increase the number of cool zones or provide additional programs that increase access to air conditioning, especially for people with AFNs.
Given that most critical facilities, such as City operational buildings, PDMWD facilities, and public safety buildings, are equipped with back-up generators, these facilities were given high adaptive capacity scores. The City could increase its resiliency by further identifying facilities without generators and equipping more facilities with generators. At the time of this assessment, specific details about generators and cooling at public health facilities, schools, and transportation facilities was unknown. Due to the nature of the services provided at public health facilities and schools, they presumably are equipped with generators and, therefore, received a medium score.
This provides opportunities for collaboration with these entities to increase resilience. However, capabilities were lesser known for the transportation category and given a default low score.
Presumably, additional facilities could benefit from widespread distribution of generators or heat mitigation capabilities.
Table 3. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Heat Category | Potential Impact | Adaptive Capacity Score | Vulnerability Score Sensitive Populations
People with AFNs High Medium 4
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions High High 3 People with Low Incomes High High 3
People Experiencing Homelessness High Low 5
Outdoor Workers High Medium 4
Older Adults High High 3
Children High High 3
People without Life-Saving Resources High Medium 4
Critical Facilities
City Operations Medium High 2
Public Safety Facilities - Generator Medium High 2
Public Health Facilities Medium Medium 3
Community Centers Medium High 2
Utility Facilities - Generator High High 3
Critical Transportation Medium Low 4
Schools Medium Medium 3
Notes: AFNs = access and functional needs
3.2. Wildfire
3.2.1 Exposure
Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, and Figure 4.6, Fire Hazard Map, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element profiles fire hazard risk in Santee. According to the County Office Vulnerability Assessment 26 July 2023
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of Emergency Services, wildfires are the most prevalent and costly acute shock (“shock” referring to an incident that negatively impacts the community) facing the county, which includes Santee.
Climate change can exacerbate wildfire risk. Wildfire risk is expected to continue to increase as a result of warmer temperatures, more frequent drought, changes in precipitation, and expanding wildland-urban interface (WUI). According to the state’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, wildfire risk will continue to increase as the climate warms. Santa Ana winds, which are hot, strong, and gusty winds that produce extreme dryness, have fueled—and will continue to fuel—the most catastrophic wildfires in the county. According to local climate projections, conditions that are optimal for the spread of wildfire—(1) changes in precipitation (measurable precipitation becoming less frequent), (2) changes in water availability (drought becoming more common), and (3) changes in weather (air becoming drier, temperatures becoming hotter, winds becoming stronger)—will become more prevalent. The county is expected to experience an increase in wildfire risk, especially during “peak season” in December and January, as a result of climate change.
As analyzed in Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, Santee is susceptible to wildfire, and very high fire hazard severity zones (VHFHSZ) are within and around the city boundaries. Fire hazard severity zones evaluate fire hazards, meaning the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30- to 50-year period without considering short-term modifications or mitigation strategies. These zones are based on factors such as fuel (i.e., vegetation), slope, and fire weather. These zones are used to designate defensible space standards and WUI building codes in General Plans and other policy documents. All new buildings within a State Responsibility Area, Local Responsibility Area, VHFHSZ, or WUI designated by the enforcing agency must comply with all sections of the WUI Fire Area Building Standards. These standards provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings within these hazard areas and establish minimum standards for materials and material assemblies to lessen the vulnerability of a building by resisting the intrusion of flames and burning embers projected during a conflagration or wildfire.
Santee’s 16.5 square miles are made up of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses with a significant WUI. The VHFHSZs are along the northern boundary that Santee shares with unincorporated county land, as well as along the eastern, western, and southwestern boundaries.
3.2.2 Sensitivity
Climate change can exacerbate the risk of wildfire and the risk to sensitive populations. The population most at risk of wildfire impacts include residents living in or near the VHFHSZs, primarily concentrated in the northern part of Santee and around the southwestern, western, and eastern city boundary. Land uses within the VHFHSZ include undeveloped/vacant land, parks and open space, and single- and multi-family residential, with a few schools, facilities, and utilities. According to the Sustainable Santee Plan, about one-third of Santee consists of open space, which contain grasses, of Emergency Services, wildfires are the most prevalent and costly acute shock (“‘shock” referring to an incident that negatively impacts the community) facing the county, which includes Santee.
Climate change can exacerbate wildfire risk. Wildfire risk is expected to continue to increase as a result of warmer temperatures, more frequent drought, changes in precipitation, and expanding wildland-urban interface (WUI). According to the state’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment, wildfire risk will continue to increase as the climate warms. Santa Ana winds, which are hot, strong, and gusty winds that produce extreme dryness, have fueled—and will continue to fuel—the most catastrophic wildfires in the county. According to local climate projections, conditions that are optimal for the spread of wildfire—(1) changes in precipitation (measurable precipitation becoming less frequent), (2) changes in water availability (drought becoming more common), and (3) changes in weather (air becoming drier, temperatures becoming hotter, winds becoming stronger)—will become more prevalent. The county is expected to experience an increase in wildfire risk, especially during “peak season” in December and January, as a result of climate change.
As analyzed in Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, Santee is susceptible to wildfire, and very high fire hazard severity zones (VHFHSZ) are within and around the city boundaries. Fire hazard severity zones evaluate fire hazards, meaning the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30- to 50-year period without considering short-term modifications or mitigation strategies. These zones are based on factors such as fuel (1.e., vegetation), slope, and fire weather. These zones are used to designate defensible space standards and WUI building codes in General Plans and other policy documents. All new buildings within a State Responsibility Area, Local Responsibility Area, VHFHSZ, or WUI designated by the enforcing agency must comply with all sections of the WUI Fire Area Building Standards. These standards provide a reasonable level of exterior wildfire exposure protection for buildings within these hazard areas and establish minimum standards for materials and material assemblies to lessen the vulnerability of a building by resisting the intrusion of flames and burning embers projected during a conflagration or wildfire.
Santee’s 16.5 square miles are made up of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses with a significant WUI. The VHFHSZs are along the northern boundary that Santee shares with unincorporated county land, as well as along the eastern, western, and southwestern boundaries.
3.2.2 Sensitivity
Climate change can exacerbate the risk of wildfire and the risk to sensitive populations. The population most at risk of wildfire impacts include residents living in or near the VHFHSZs, primarily concentrated in the northern part of Santee and around the southwestern, western, and eastern city boundary. Land uses within the VHFHSZ include undeveloped/vacant land, parks and open space, and single- and multi-family residential, with a few schools, facilities, and utilities. According to the Sustainable Santee Plan, about one-third of Santee consists of open space, which contain grasses, Vulnerability Assessment 27 July 2023
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shrubs, and trees that may fuel wildfire. Vulnerable populations include households in poverty, older adults living alone, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, people with reduced mobility, including people with disabilities, and people who do not have access to a personal vehicle and who may have difficulty evacuating—all of which are communities that may have a potential inability to respond to wildfire threats or evacuation mandates.
The populations most sensitive to wildfire include those living in or near the VHFHSZs, as well as those with mobility challenges, lack of access to medical care, and with financial limitations.
Outdoor essential workers and individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke. Wildfires can generate significant amounts of smoke that can travel long distances, in some instances spreading across state and national boundaries.
Living conditions and housing types also influence levels of protection from smoke; for example, mobile homes and older homes with unsealed windows are more sensitive than modern homes that feature airtight windows and air purification systems.
According to the County’s MJHMP, approximately 130 of Santee’s critical facilities are at risk of wildfire and structural fire. Supplemental analysisfor this Vulnerability Assessment identifies City Hall, several schools, and SR-52 near or within the VHFHSZ.
As wildfires increase in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change, disruptions in electrical infrastructure are likely to become more common. When there is a high risk for a wildfire, SDG&E, Santee’s electric utility, may temporarily shut off power to prevent the electric system from becoming the source of ignition. Electric utility infrastructure has historically been responsible for less than 10 percent of reported wildfires; however, fires attributed to power lines comprise roughly half of the most destructive fires in California history. 14 These events, termed “public safety power
shutoffs,” can pose a serious risk for populations that are medically sensitive (those who rely on medication and respirators that require power generation) and have low incomes.
3.2.3 Potential Impact
Drought, changes in precipitation, and extreme heat can create conditions that increase the risk of wildfire. Uncontained wildfire can threaten human health and life and property and homes and result in evacuations. Wildfire poses great risk to residents living or working within the VHFHSZs.
Impacts of wildfire can include land or structure damage, property loss, poor air quality, burn damage, habitat destruction, displacement, and fatalities.
The County’s MJHMP identifies wildfire as a major public health concern for the San Diego region. This is because wildfire can impact the health of multiple regions due to wildfire smoke traveling long distances and worsening air quality for days and even weeks. According to the 14 California Public Utilities Commission. 2021. “Utility Public Safety Power Shutoff Plans (De-Energization).” Accessed July 2023. https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/psps.
shrubs, and trees that may fuel wildfire. Vulnerable populations include households in poverty, older adults living alone, outdoor workers, people experiencing homelessness, people with reduced mobility, including people with disabilities, and people who do not have access to a personal vehicle and who may have difficulty evacuating—all of which are communities that may have a potential inability to respond to wildfire threats or evacuation mandates.
The populations most sensitive to wildfire include those living in or near the VHFHSZs, as well as those with mobility challenges, lack of access to medical care, and with financial limitations.
Outdoor essential workers and individuals with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke. Wildfires can generate significant amounts of smoke that can travel long distances, in some instances spreading across state and national boundaries.
Living conditions and housing types also influence levels of protection from smoke; for example, mobile homes and older homes with unsealed windows are more sensitive than modern homes that feature airtight windows and air purification systems.
According to the County’s MJHMP, approximately 130 of Santee’s critical facilities are at risk of wildfire and structural fire. Supplemental analysis for this Vulnerability Assessment identifies City Hall, several schools, and SR-52 near or within the VHFHSZ.
As wildfires increase in frequency and intensity as a result of climate change, disruptions in electrical infrastructure are likely to become more common. When there is a high risk for a wildfire, SDG&E, Santee’s electric utility, may temporarily shut off power to prevent the electric system from becoming the source of ignition. Electric utility infrastructure has historically been responsible for less than 10 percent of reported wildfires; however, fires attributed to power lines comprise roughly half of the most destructive fires in California history.'* These events, termed “public safety power shutoffs,” can pose a serious risk for populations that are medically sensitive (those who rely on medication and respirators that require power generation) and have low incomes.
3.2.3 Potential Impact
Drought, changes in precipitation, and extreme heat can create conditions that increase the risk of wildfire. Uncontained wildfire can threaten human health and life and property and homes and result in evacuations. Wildfire poses great risk to residents living or working within the VHFHSZs.
Impacts of wildfire can include land or structure damage, property loss, poor air quality, burn damage, habitat destruction, displacement, and fatalities.
The County’s MJHMP identifies wildfire as a major public health concern for the San Diego region. This is because wildfire can impact the health of multiple regions due to wildfire smoke traveling long distances and worsening air quality for days and even weeks. According to the 4 California Public Utilities Commission. 2021. “Utility Public Safety Power Shutoff Plans (De-Energization).” Accessed July 2023. https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/psps.
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MJHMP, wildfire smoke can increase one’s exposure to gases and chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, ground level ozone, and toxic chemicals (e.g., pesticides, plastics, and paints) released from burned building and other human-made materials. Smoke can also penetrate buildings, impacting people across a wide area.15
Wildfire can exacerbate existing air quality issues in Santee, posing a health risk for sensitive populations. Smoke and poor air quality can increase respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations; emergency department visits; medication dispensations for asthma, bronchitis, chest pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (commonly known as COPD), and respiratory infections; and medical visits for lung illnesses.15 Those with pre-existing medical conditions or who work outdoors, populations over 65 years of age, and children may be at additional risk of poor air quality.
Critical facilities within VHFHSZs are at risk of damage or destruction. According to the County’s MJHMP, potential exposure for critical facilities at risk of wildfire and structural fire can cost upwards of $247 million dollars.16 Supplemental analysis was conducted to identify critical facilities within or near VHFHSZs. Using data collected from Santee’s GIS, Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Datasets, and publicly available datasets, two schools were identified as within or on the border of the VHFHSZ, City Hall was identified on the border of the VHFHSZ, and another two schools were identified outside but near the VHFHSZ.
3.2.4 Adaptive Capacity
Due to the wildfire risk facing Santee, multiple resources are available to residents to help build resilience to the impacts of wildfire. Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element outlines the public education and awareness programs available for members of the public. Examples include the older adult smoke detector program, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, fire station tours, and older adult outreach and safety education, among others.
The City has a Public Education and Emergency Preparation section on its Fire Department web page. Here, residents can find information about emergency preparedness, fire codes and regulations, fire education, fire safety tips, wildfire preparation, emergency kit preparation, and personal disaster plans, as well as access to Ready San Diego and AlertSanDiego. Ready San Diego is a comprehensive website with disaster preparedness resources for families, kids, businesses, schools, and organizations. The County Office of Emergency Services provides training programs; emergency maps, including wildfire hazard maps; preparedness planning resources; and registration for AlertSanDiego. Ready San Diego contains wildfire prevention 15 CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 2020. “Climate Health: Wildfires.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/wildfires.htm. 16 County of San Diego. 2018. “Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.” Accessed July 2023. https://www. sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/oes/emergency_management/HazMit/2018/2018%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan.pdf.
MJHMP, wildfire smoke can increase one’s exposure to gases and chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, ground level ozone, and toxic chemicals (e.g., pesticides, plastics, and paints) released from burned building and other human-made materials. Smoke can also penetrate buildings, impacting people across a wide area.!°
Wildfire can exacerbate existing air quality issues in Santee, posing a health risk for sensitive populations. Smoke and poor air quality can increase respiratory and cardiovascular hospitalizations; emergency department visits; medication dispensations for asthma, bronchitis, chest pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (commonly known as COPD), and respiratory infections; and medical visits for lung illnesses.!° Those with pre-existing medical conditions or who work outdoors, populations over 65 years of age, and children may be at additional risk of poor air quality.
Critical facilities within VHFHSZs are at risk of damage or destruction. According to the County’s MJHMP, potential exposure for critical facilities at risk of wildfire and structural fire can cost upwards of $247 million dollars.'° Supplemental analysis was conducted to identify critical facilities within or near VHFHSZs. Using data collected from Santee’s GIS, Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Datasets, and publicly available datasets, two schools were identified as within or on the border of the VHFHSZ, City Hall was identified on the border of the VHFHSZ, and another two schools were identified outside but near the VHFHSZ.
3.2.4 Adaptive Capacity
Due to the wildfire risk facing Santee, multiple resources are available to residents to help build resilience to the impacts of wildfire. Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element outlines the public education and awareness programs available for members of the public. Examples include the older adult smoke detector program, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, fire station tours, and older adult outreach and safety education, among others.
The City has a Public Education and Emergency Preparation section on its Fire Department web page. Here, residents can find information about emergency preparedness, fire codes and regulations, fire education, fire safety tips, wildfire preparation, emergency kit preparation, and personal disaster plans, as well as access to Ready San Diego and AlertSanDiego. Ready San Diego is a comprehensive website with disaster preparedness resources for families, kids, businesses, schools, and organizations. The County Office of Emergency Services provides training programs; emergency maps, including wildfire hazard maps; preparedness planning resources; and registration for AlertSanDiego. Ready San Diego contains wildfire prevention 18 CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 2020. “Climate Health: Wildfires.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/wildfires.htm. 1® County of San Diego. 2018. “Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.” Accessed July 2023. https://www. sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/oes/emergency_management/HazMit/2018/2018%20Hazard%20Mitigation%20Plan.pdf.
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resources for home and yard, disaster kits, and wildfire resilience reports and tips. Specifically, it includes links to information on creating and maintaining defensible space (particularly in drought conditions), fire-resistant vegetation, personal disaster plan templates, and wildfire preparedness guidance. The City annually hosts its Open House/Safety Fair in October during National Fire Prevention Month. At the event, members of the public can tour the fire station, view fire engines, meet local firefighters, and learn about fire prevention.
According to Ready San Diego, state law requires that residents treat 100 feet of defensible space around their homes. This includes such steps as mowing and properly maintaining lawn and weeds, pruning or removing ignitable trees and shrubs, stacking firewood away from the home, and making sure the home’s address is visible to emergency vehicles.
Further, the Sustainable Santee Plan addresses increased wildfire risk as a result of climate change by recommending the following implementation strategies:
• Educate the public on the importance of fire safety
• Include buffer zones between vegetation and structures and infrastructure • Identify fire-prone habitats and evaluate and plan for increased risk of larger and more frequent wildfires
The Santee Municipal Code includes building standards and fire regulations for construction. The Santee Fire Code is Chapter 11.18 of the Santee Municipal Code, which is an adoption of the California Fire Code. The code includes regulations related to portable outdoor fireplaces, fire service features (fire apparatus access roads, gates, maps), fire protection systems (fire sprinklers, alarms, installations), special fire protection requirements, and explosives and fireworks. Notably, the code has requirements for defensible space and WUI areas. The City requires 100 feet minimum defensible space, necessitating fuel modification between structures and wildland areas.
The code also requires fire protection plans, specific construction methods and requirements, construction materials, and other development requirements for new development within fire hazard severity zones or the WUI. More information about the Santee Fire Code and WUI regulations can be found in Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element (the wildfire hazard profile and analysis). Information about firefighting water supply is also included in Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element.
3.2.5 Vulnerability Score
Table 4, Vulnerability Assessment Results: Wildfire, provides the vulnerability scoring for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in response to wildfire risks in Santee. The reasoning for the scoring provided in Table 4 is discussed below.
Wildfire poses a significant threat to people, especially vulnerable populations, and climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires across the state. Vulnerable resources for home and yard, disaster kits, and wildfire resilience reports and tips. Specifically, it includes links to information on creating and maintaining defensible space (particularly in drought conditions), fire-resistant vegetation, personal disaster plan templates, and wildfire preparedness guidance. The City annually hosts its Open House/Safety Fair in October during National Fire Prevention Month. At the event, members of the public can tour the fire station, view fire engines, meet local firefighters, and learn about fire prevention.
According to Ready San Diego, state law requires that residents treat 100 feet of defensible space around their homes. This includes such steps as mowing and properly maintaining lawn and weeds, pruning or removing ignitable trees and shrubs, stacking firewood away from the home, and making sure the home’s address is visible to emergency vehicles.
Further, the Sustainable Santee Plan addresses increased wildfire risk as a result of climate change by recommending the following implementation strategies:
e Educate the public on the importance of fire safety
e Include buffer zones between vegetation and structures and infrastructure e Identify fire-prone habitats and evaluate and plan for increased risk of larger and more frequent wildfires
The Santee Municipal Code includes building standards and fire regulations for construction. The Santee Fire Code is Chapter 11.18 of the Santee Municipal Code, which is an adoption of the California Fire Code. The code includes regulations related to portable outdoor fireplaces, fire service features (fire apparatus access roads, gates, maps), fire protection systems (fire sprinklers, alarms, installations), special fire protection requirements, and explosives and fireworks. Notably, the code has requirements for defensible space and WUI areas. The City requires 100 feet minimum defensible space, necessitating fuel modification between structures and wildland areas.
The code also requires fire protection plans, specific construction methods and requirements, construction materials, and other development requirements for new development within fire hazard severity zones or the WUI. More information about the Santee Fire Code and WUI regulations can be found in Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element (the wildfire hazard profile and analysis). Information about firefighting water supply is also included in Section 4.3, Urban/Wildland Fire Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element.
3.2.5 Vulnerability Score
Table 4, Vulnerability Assessment Results: Wildfire, provides the vulnerability scoring for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in response to wildfire risks in Santee. The reasoning for the scoring provided in Table 4 is discussed below.
Wildfire poses a significant threat to people, especially vulnerable populations, and climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires across the state. Vulnerable Vulnerability Assessment 30 July 2023
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populations were given high scores for potential impact and primarily medium scores for adaptive capacity, which resulted in relatively high vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 4 to 5; Table 4). The following people, including sensitive populations and critical facilities within the VHFHSZ, are among the most vulnerable to wildfire and were given high potential impact scores:
• People without life-supporting resources, such as those who are unable to travel via evacuation routes due to limited access to reliable transportation or those who are unable to relocate to areas beyond VHFHSZs due to financial constraints, may have issue responding to more frequent, more severe wildfires.
Critical facilities, even if outside a VHFHSZ, can be affected by primary or secondary wildfire impacts. Further, the County identifies wildfire as the most prevalent shock facing the area.
Therefore, by default, potential impact scores were rated as high across all critical facility categories. Medium adaptive capacity scores were given to public health facilities, critical transportation, and schools because the authority of those facilities is outside the City’s local control, and the analysis assumes that some level of capacity or protection are provided by the City and County’s public educational resources and the defensible space requirements. To further protect people and all categories, the City can focus on coordination and collaboration between entities through the implementation of Safety and Environmental Justice Element policies.
Table 4. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Wildfire
Category Potential Impact Adaptive
Capacity Score Vulnerability Score
Sensitive Populations
People with AFNs High Medium 4
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions High High 3 People with Low Incomes High Medium 4
People Experiencing Homelessness High Low 5
Outdoor Workers High Medium 4
Older Adults High Medium 4
Children High Medium 4
People without Life-Supporting Resources High Low 5
Critical Facilities
City Operations High High 3
Public Safety Facilities High High 3
Public Health Facilities High Medium 4
Community Centers High High 3
Utility Facilities High High 3
Critical Transportation High Medium 4
Schools High Medium 4
Note: AFNs = access and functional needs
populations were given high scores for potential impact and primarily medium scores for adaptive capacity, which resulted in relatively high vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 4 to 5; Table 4). The following people, including sensitive populations and critical facilities within the VHFHSZ, are among the most vulnerable to wildfire and were given high potential impact scores:
e People without life-supporting resources, such as those who are unable to travel via evacuation routes due to limited access to reliable transportation or those who are unable to relocate to areas beyond VHFHSZs due to financial constraints, may have issue responding to more frequent, more severe wildfires.
Critical facilities, even if outside a VHFHSZ, can be affected by primary or secondary wildfire impacts. Further, the County identifies wildfire as the most prevalent shock facing the area.
Therefore, by default, potential impact scores were rated as high across all critical facility categories. Medium adaptive capacity scores were given to public health facilities, critical transportation, and schools because the authority of those facilities is outside the City’s local control, and the analysis assumes that some level of capacity or protection are provided by the City and County’s public educational resources and the defensible space requirements. To further protect people and all categories, the City can focus on coordination and collaboration between entities through the implementation of Safety and Environmental Justice Element policies.
Table 4. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Wildfire
Category Potential Impact aay Sore Vulnerability Score
Sensitive Populations
People with AFNs High Medium 4
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions High High 3 People with Low Incomes High Medium 4
People Experiencing Homelessness High Low 5
Outdoor Workers High Medium 4
Older Adults High Medium 4
Children High Medium 4
People without Life-Supporting Resources High Low 5
Critical Facilities
City Operations High High 3
Public Safety Facilities High High 3
Public Health Facilities High Medium 4
Community Centers High High 3
Utility Facilities High High 3
Critical Transportation High Medium 4
Schools High Medium 4
Note: AFNs = access and functional needs
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3.3 Extreme Precipitation
3.3.1 Exposure
Extreme precipitation may exacerbate riverine flooding (discussed in Section 4.1, Flood Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element) and result in increased flooding in and around the flood zone, as well as localized flooding outside the flood zone. Severe weather, such as atmospheric rivers, powerful rainstorms, and subsequent flooding, will occur more frequently throughout California as a result of climate change, due to warmer weather and more moisture in storm systems. Climate change has the potential to cause more frequent and heavy precipitation incidents that result in damages from floods. These heavy precipitation incidents could result in additional flows into Santee’s primary waterways—San Diego River, Forester Creek, Sycamore Creek, and intermittent creeks paralleling Big Rock Road and Fanita Drive—with the potential for overtopping or other types of dam failure. Street flooding is also possible during severe summer or winter storms, which can ensue on an annual basis.
Cal-Adapt measures both annual precipitation and maximum one-day precipitation to evaluate extreme precipitation. Climate change is expected to result in fewer but more intense rainstorms in which rainfall is rapid during a short amount of time. This pattern results in little change to average annual precipitation; in fact, average annual precipitation may not change significantly in the next 50 to 75 years. Rather, precipitation will be delivered in fewer, more intense storms within a shorter wet season.
However, because California’s climate varies between wet and dry years, the state’s research demonstrates that for much of the state, wet years will become wetter and dry years will become dryer. Subsequent dry years can increase the risk of drought (see Section 3.4, Drought). In Santee, average annual precipitation is expected to decrease. Historically, annual precipitation has averaged 13.8 inches. Under both the mid-century and end-of-century scenarios, annual precipitation is expected to decrease as a result of warming temperatures and changing storm patterns. By mid-century (2035–2064), average annual precipitation could decrease by 0.4 to 0.6 inch, depending on the emissions pathway. By the end of the century (2070–2099), average annual precipitation could decrease by 0.7–1.1 inches, depending on the emissions pathway.
According to Cal-Adapt, the projected maximum 1-day precipitation (i.e., the greatest amount of rain over a 24-hour period within the year) may increase by over 1 inch in Santee. By mid-century, maximum 1-day precipitation in Santee is expected to increase by over 1.43 inches in a mediumemissions scenario and 1.45 inches in a high-emissions scenario. Maximum 1-day precipitation in Santee could reach 1.44 inches in a medium-emissions scenario and 1.50 inches in a highemissions scenario by end of century.
3.3. Extreme Precipitation
3.3.1 Exposure
Extreme precipitation may exacerbate riverine flooding (discussed in Section 4.1, Flood Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element) and result in increased flooding in and around the flood zone, as well as localized flooding outside the flood zone. Severe weather, such as atmospheric rivers, powerful rainstorms, and subsequent flooding, will occur more frequently throughout California as a result of climate change, due to warmer weather and more moisture in storm systems. Climate change has the potential to cause more frequent and heavy precipitation incidents that result in damages from floods. These heavy precipitation incidents could result in additional flows into Santee’s primary waterways—San Diego River, Forester Creek, Sycamore Creek, and intermittent creeks paralleling Big Rock Road and Fanita Drive—with the potential for overtopping or other types of dam failure. Street flooding is also possible during severe summer or winter storms, which can ensue on an annual basis.
Cal-Adapt measures both annual precipitation and maximum one-day precipitation to evaluate extreme precipitation. Climate change is expected to result in fewer but more intense rainstorms in which rainfall is rapid during a short amount of time. This pattern results in little change to average annual precipitation; in fact, average annual precipitation may not change significantly in the next 50 to 75 years. Rather, precipitation will be delivered in fewer, more intense storms within a shorter wet season.
However, because California’s climate varies between wet and dry years, the state’s research demonstrates that for much of the state, wet years will become wetter and dry years will become dryer. Subsequent dry years can increase the risk of drought (see Section 3.4, Drought). In Santee, average annual precipitation is expected to decrease. Historically, annual precipitation has averaged 13.8 inches. Under both the mid-century and end-of-century scenarios, annual precipitation is expected to decrease as a result of warming temperatures and changing storm patterns. By mid-century (2035-2064), average annual precipitation could decrease by 0.4 to 0.6 inch, depending on the emissions pathway. By the end of the century (2070-2099), average annual precipitation could decrease by 0.7—1.1 inches, depending on the emissions pathway.
According to Cal-Adapt, the projected maximum 1-day precipitation (i.e., the greatest amount of rain over a 24-hour period within the year) may increase by over | inch in Santee. By mid-century, maximum 1-day precipitation in Santee is expected to increase by over 1.43 inches in a mediumemissions scenario and 1.45 inches in a high-emissions scenario. Maximum 1-day precipitation in Santee could reach 1.44 inches in a medium-emissions scenario and 1.50 inches in a highemissions scenario by end of century.
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3.3.2 Sensitivity
Residents living in the floodplain, especially those in low-lying areas and individuals with physical disabilities that limit their mobility, may be vulnerable to extreme precipitation events that necessitate evacuation. Even just a few inches of moving water can be unsafe for children and people with disabilities. Santee’s homeless population is at particular risk from flooding due to encampments located in or near the floodplain. The communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme precipitation are people experiencing homelessness, without life-supporting resources, with limited access to technology, and who are linguistically or socially isolated—all of which are communities that may have a potential inability to receive and/or interpret flood warnings or evacuation notices.
Critical assets in low-lying areas may be sensitive to extreme precipitation. Analysis performed during the 2018 MJHMP update identifies the following critical facilities as vulnerable to flood and flash flood hazards: at least eight schools and/or educational institutions; up to six government buildings, including fire stations, public works facility, and multiple sheriff’s office buildings; four utilities stations; six healthcare-related facilities; three businesses; and one community services center. These facilities can be vulnerable to flood risk exacerbated by climate change, such as short but extreme rain events.
3.3.3 Potential Impact
Extreme precipitation events may result in flooding that can threaten human life. Due to the likelihood of flooding and increases in extreme precipitation, impacts on vulnerable populations could be likely in a major event and would result in impacts on public health and safety. Lowincome residents without renters’ insurance may experience significant financial impacts if extreme precipitation events resulted in the flooding of their property. Furthermore, flooded homes may also result in the growth of mold and mildew, which are allergenic and potentially harmful.
Stormwater runoff can also contain a variety of contaminants and pollution, threatening public health and safety.
The types of critical facilities located in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains include educational institutions, government buildings, utilities, healthcare facilities, and private and nonprofit facilities. In the absence of mitigation, such as elevation and flood-proofing, these critical facilities could be susceptible to flood damage in the event of an extreme storm. Significant amounts of rain may fall in a short amount of time resulting in increased runoff, which can overwhelm the stormwater management system and cause water to inundate roads and property. Evacuation personnel may need to be dispatched to evacuate people experiencing homelessness from the floodplain. Shallow flooding
3.3.2 Sensitivity
Residents living in the floodplain, especially those in low-lying areas and individuals with physical disabilities that limit their mobility, may be vulnerable to extreme precipitation events that necessitate evacuation. Even just a few inches of moving water can be unsafe for children and people with disabilities. Santee’s homeless population is at particular risk from flooding due to encampments located in or near the floodplain. The communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme precipitation are people experiencing homelessness, without life-supporting resources, with limited access to technology, and who are linguistically or socially isolated—all of which are communities that may have a potential inability to receive and/or interpret flood warnings or evacuation notices.
Critical assets in low-lying areas may be sensitive to extreme precipitation. Analysis performed during the 2018 MJHMP update identifies the following critical facilities as vulnerable to flood and flash flood hazards: at least eight schools and/or educational institutions; up to six government buildings, including fire stations, public works facility, and multiple sheriff's office buildings; four utilities stations; six healthcare-related facilities; three businesses; and one community services center. These facilities can be vulnerable to flood risk exacerbated by climate change, such as short but extreme rain events.
3.3.3 Potential Impact
Extreme precipitation events may result in flooding that can threaten human life. Due to the likelihood of flooding and increases in extreme precipitation, impacts on vulnerable populations could be likely in a major event and would result in impacts on public health and safety. Lowincome residents without renters’ insurance may experience significant financial impacts if extreme precipitation events resulted in the flooding of their property. Furthermore, flooded homes may also result in the growth of mold and mildew, which are allergenic and potentially harmful.
Stormwater runoff can also contain a variety of contaminants and pollution, threatening public health and safety.
The types of critical facilities located in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains include educational institutions, government buildings, utilities, healthcare facilities, and private and nonprofit facilities. In the absence of mitigation, such as elevation and flood-proofing, these critical facilities could be susceptible to flood damage in the event of an extreme storm. Significant amounts of rain may fall in a short amount of time resulting in increased runoff, which can overwhelm the stormwater management system and cause water to inundate roads and property. Evacuation personnel may need to be dispatched to evacuate people experiencing homelessness from the floodplain. Shallow flooding Vulnerability Assessment 33 July 2023
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may result in mold and mildew in flooded buildings, allow for the spread of contaminants including gasoline and chemicals, and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 17 3.3.4 Adaptive Capacity
The City has multiple planning resources, building codes and ordinances, and development standards that increase the capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change. For example, Chapter 11.36, Flood Damage Prevention, of the Santee Municipal Code defines special flood hazards in Santee and regulates development and uses within those zones. The City’s San Diego River Floodplain Study defines special hazard areas and requires new construction to be elevated to a minimum of 1 foot above the 100-year floodplain. Other drainage and hydrology reports and analyses include the following:
• Citywide Drainage Study (1990), which describes hydrologic and hydraulic characteristics of Santee and recommends necessary improvements. • Supplemental Storm Drain System Study (1992), an analysis of the area south of Mission George Road and West Cottonwood Avenue where deficient storm drain facilities were identified. This study defines improvements and design criteria and costs for improvements that will help adequately convey the flow to the San Diego River. • Maps of local hydrology, existing drainage facilities, deficient master drainage facilities, and FEMA Flood Rate Insurance Maps (FIRM).
• Fanita Lakes Drainage Study (2007), a proposed lake to serve as the primary stormwater best management practice (BMP) for a proposed 2,600-acre development, which is on the site of the recently approved Fanita Ranch Project.
A comprehensive update to the City’s Master Drainage Study is currently underway and will combine the City’s Master Drainage Study and Supplemental Storm Drain System (Mission Gorge Road) Report into one report. It is anticipated to be adopted in the summer of 2023. The City also provides on its website informational tips for preventing and reducing flooding impacts on personal property, such as erosion and mudslides. The City has also provided sandbags for residents during flood season.
Ready San Diego has a flooding page on its website, where residents can access resources to report damages occurring from a storm; tips for protecting property, including where to purchase sandbags; Department of Public Works service requests; flood control webcams; survey records searches to identify public drainage facilities on private property; and homeowners’ guides to erosion control and flood debris.
17 FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2005. Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding: A Guide for Communities.
FEMA 511. June. Accessed July 2023. https://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/FEMA511-complete.pdf. may result in mold and mildew in flooded buildings, allow for the spread of contaminants including gasoline and chemicals, and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes. '7
3.3.4 Adaptive Capacity
The City has multiple planning resources, building codes and ordinances, and development standards that increase the capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change. For example, Chapter 11.36, Flood Damage Prevention, of the Santee Municipal Code defines special flood hazards in Santee and regulates development and uses within those zones. The City’s San Diego River Floodplain Study defines special hazard areas and requires new construction to be elevated to a minimum of | foot above the 100-year floodplain. Other drainage and hydrology reports and analyses include the following:
e Citywide Drainage Study (1990), which describes hydrologic and hydraulic characteristics of Santee and recommends necessary improvements. e Supplemental Storm Drain System Study (1992), an analysis of the area south of Mission George Road and West Cottonwood Avenue where deficient storm drain facilities were identified. This study defines improvements and design criteria and costs for improvements that will help adequately convey the flow to the San Diego River. e Maps of local hydrology, existing drainage facilities, deficient master drainage facilities, and FEMA Flood Rate Insurance Maps (FIRM).
e Fanita Lakes Drainage Study (2007), a proposed lake to serve as the primary stormwater best management practice (BMP) for a proposed 2,600-acre development, which is on the site of the recently approved Fanita Ranch Project.
A comprehensive update to the City’s Master Drainage Study is currently underway and will combine the City’s Master Drainage Study and Supplemental Storm Drain System (Mission Gorge Road) Report into one report. It is anticipated to be adopted in the summer of 2023. The City also provides on its website informational tips for preventing and reducing flooding impacts on personal property, such as erosion and mudslides. The City has also provided sandbags for residents during flood season.
Ready San Diego has a flooding page on its website, where residents can access resources to report damages occurring from a storm; tips for protecting property, including where to purchase sandbags; Department of Public Works service requests; flood control webcams; survey records searches to identify public drainage facilities on private property; and homeowners’ guides to erosion control and flood debris.
‘7 FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). 2005. Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding: A Guide for Communities.
FEMA 511. June. Accessed July 2023. https://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/FEMA51 1-complete.pdf.
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County residents are informed of flood warnings disseminated by the Emergency Alert System through local radio, television stations, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. The County provides real-time information about high flood water, road closures, and evacuation routes. Warnings can also be issued to affected residents and businesses through the AlertSanDiego Program. The Alert Flood Warning System in the county consists of over 120 alert flood warning stations, which include 25 stream gauges, 10 reservoir level sensors, 99 rainfall sensors, and three weather stations sharing data with the National Weather Service. As mentioned in Section 4.1, Flood Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, one stream gauge is in Santee along the San Diego River at West Hills Parkway (Old Master). This stream gauge detects flooding, including extreme floods caused by excessive precipitation and severe weather patterns as a result of climate change.
Further, the City participates in the County’s MJHMP, which identifies natural hazard risks throughout the county, including flooding and extreme precipitation, and recommends mitigation measures to reduce the risk to people and critical facilities. This Safety and Environmental Justice Element incorporates by reference the MJHMP and the identified capacities to reduce risk.
Chapter 11.36, Flood Damage Prevention, of the Santee Municipal Code states that areas of special flood hazards are subject to the code and outlines methods for reducing flood losses. The code establishes the basis for areas of special flood hazard, designates the floodplain administrator, and contains standards for construction, including requirements for anchoring, construction materials and methods, and elevation and flood-proofing. It also includes development standards for utilities, subdivisions, mobile and manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles, as well as provisions for extremely hazardous floodways. Chapter 11.38, Drainages and Watercourses, of the Santee Municipal Code sets forth construction requirements and prohibitions for development within a floodplain, including elevation standards.18
The City has a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program that asks all residents, businesses, City facilities, developers, and landowners participate in preventing water pollution by implementing BMPs. The City has minimum requirements for BMPs outlined in the Santee Guidelines for Surface Water Pollution Prevention (2015). The guidelines support Chapter 9.06, Stormwater Management and Discharge Control, and other water quality protection provisions of the Santee Municipal Code.
The guideline instructs what dischargers must do to comply with ordinances and to receive permits for projects and activities. Minimum BMP requirements must be met for industrial, commercial, and municipal facilities; residential areas; construction sites; and development projects. Minimum BMPs are outlined by each land use category.
Both the City and the County provide abundant resources to residents, including advance notifications systems and alerts and flood reduction measures for personal property, and has 18 City of Santee. 2021. Santee Municipal Code. Accessed July 2023. http://qcode.us/codes/santee/?view=desktop.
County residents are informed of flood warnings disseminated by the Emergency Alert System through local radio, television stations, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio. The County provides real-time information about high flood water, road closures, and evacuation routes. Warnings can also be issued to affected residents and businesses through the AlertSanDiego Program. The Alert Flood Warning System in the county consists of over 120 alert flood warning stations, which include 25 stream gauges, 10 reservoir level sensors, 99 rainfall sensors, and three weather stations sharing data with the National Weather Service. As mentioned in Section 4.1, Flood Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, one stream gauge is in Santee along the San Diego River at West Hills Parkway (Old Master). This stream gauge detects flooding, including extreme floods caused by excessive precipitation and severe weather patterns as a result of climate change.
Further, the City participates in the County’s MJHMP, which identifies natural hazard risks throughout the county, including flooding and extreme precipitation, and recommends mitigation measures to reduce the risk to people and critical facilities. This Safety and Environmental Justice Element incorporates by reference the MJHMP and the identified capacities to reduce risk.
Chapter 11.36, Flood Damage Prevention, of the Santee Municipal Code states that areas of special flood hazards are subject to the code and outlines methods for reducing flood losses. The code establishes the basis for areas of special flood hazard, designates the floodplain administrator, and contains standards for construction, including requirements for anchoring, construction materials and methods, and elevation and flood-proofing. It also includes development standards for utilities, subdivisions, mobile and manufactured homes, and recreational vehicles, as well as provisions for extremely hazardous floodways. Chapter 11.38, Drainages and Watercourses, of the Santee Municipal Code sets forth construction requirements and prohibitions for development within a floodplain, including elevation standards. !®
The City has a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program that asks all residents, businesses, City facilities, developers, and landowners participate in preventing water pollution by implementing BMPs. The City has minimum requirements for BMPs outlined in the Santee Guidelines for Surface Water Pollution Prevention (2015). The guidelines support Chapter 9.06, Stormwater Management and Discharge Control, and other water quality protection provisions of the Santee Municipal Code.
The guideline instructs what dischargers must do to comply with ordinances and to receive permits for projects and activities. Minimum BMP requirements must be met for industrial, commercial, and municipal facilities; residential areas; construction sites; and development projects. Minimum BMPs are outlined by each land use category.
Both the City and the County provide abundant resources to residents, including advance notifications systems and alerts and flood reduction measures for personal property, and has 18 City of Santee. 2021. Santee Municipal Code. Accessed July 2023. http://qcode.us/codes/santee/?view=desktop.
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provided sandbags during flood seasons. However, the City can continue to assess accessibility and availability of these resources, particularly for sensitive populations. As far as the adaptive capacity of critical facilities, the City has multiple codes, ordinances, and development standards that address flooding. These planning documents regulate development within the floodplain and require elevation of new construction 1 foot above the 100-year floodplain. Other City programs and participation in the County’s MJHMP help increase the resilience of critical facilities to withstand flooding events.
3.3.5 Vulnerability Score
Table 5, Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Precipitation, provides the vulnerability scoring for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in response to extreme precipitation in Santee. The reasoning for the scoring provided in Table 5 is discussed below.
Extreme precipitation and intense storm events can cause localized street flooding, although flood impacts during storm events will most likely occur in and around the floodplain. Vulnerable populations were given medium and high potential impact scores and high scores for adaptive capacity, which resulted in relatively low vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 2 to 3; Table 5). The following people are the most at risk of experiencing economic instability or insecurity and are more likely to experience the impacts of storm events:
• People without life-supporting resources, such as those who are unable to travel via evacuation routes due to limited access to reliable transportation or those who are unable to afford safe and secure housing due to financial constraints, may experience challenges responding to more frequent and intense precipitation and floods. • People experiencing homelessness may experience more severe flood-related impacts, such as higher incidence of vector-borne illnesses and greater loss of human life, due to their deficiency of physical space to seek shelter from changing environmental conditions.
The asset categories most likely to be impacted by extreme precipitation are the residents and the critical facilities located near and within the 100-year and 500-year floodplains. Critical facilities within the floodplains include schools/educational institutions; City operations/government buildings, including fire stations, public works facility, and sheriff’s office buildings; utility stations; healthcare-related facilities; and private and nonprofit facilities. These categories were given high impact scores. This assessment also assumes some impact on transportation infrastructure in the event of localized flooding. For example, a section of SR-52 runs parallel to the floodway and crosses the flood zone, although its elevation is likely to prevent significant damages. A medium score is provided, assuming some impacts could occur in a severe event. High adaptive capacity scores were given to City operations, public safety, utilities, and critical transportation. Medium scores are given to public health, schools, and community centers to account for the protections provided by the City’s resources, but ultimately, authority and adaptive capacity are outside the City’s local control (Table 5). provided sandbags during flood seasons. However, the City can continue to assess accessibility and availability of these resources, particularly for sensitive populations. As far as the adaptive capacity of critical facilities, the City has multiple codes, ordinances, and development standards that address flooding. These planning documents regulate development within the floodplain and require elevation of new construction | foot above the 100-year floodplain. Other City programs and participation in the County’s MJHMP help increase the resilience of critical facilities to withstand flooding events.
3.3.5 Vulnerability Score
Table 5, Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Precipitation, provides the vulnerability scoring for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in response to extreme precipitation in Santee. The reasoning for the scoring provided in Table 5 is discussed below.
Extreme precipitation and intense storm events can cause localized street flooding, although flood impacts during storm events will most likely occur in and around the floodplain. Vulnerable populations were given medium and high potential impact scores and high scores for adaptive capacity, which resulted in relatively low vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 2 to 3; Table 5). The following people are the most at risk of experiencing economic instability or insecurity and are more likely to experience the impacts of storm events:
e People without life-supporting resources, such as those who are unable to travel via evacuation routes due to limited access to reliable transportation or those who are unable to afford safe and secure housing due to financial constraints, may experience challenges responding to more frequent and intense precipitation and floods. e People experiencing homelessness may experience more severe flood-related impacts, such as higher incidence of vector-borne illnesses and greater loss of human life, due to their deficiency of physical space to seek shelter from changing environmental conditions.
The asset categories most likely to be impacted by extreme precipitation are the residents and the critical facilities located near and within the 100-year and 500-year floodplains. Critical facilities within the floodplains include schools/educational institutions; City operations/government buildings, including fire stations, public works facility, and sheriff's office buildings; utility stations; healthcare-related facilities; and private and nonprofit facilities. These categories were given high impact scores. This assessment also assumes some impact on transportation infrastructure in the event of localized flooding. For example, a section of SR-52 runs parallel to the floodway and crosses the flood zone, although its elevation is likely to prevent significant damages. A medium score is provided, assuming some impacts could occur in a severe event. High adaptive capacity scores were given to City operations, public safety, utilities, and critical transportation. Medium scores are given to public health, schools, and community centers to account for the protections provided by the City’s resources, but ultimately, authority and adaptive capacity are outside the City’s local control (Table 5).
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Table 5. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Precipitation Category Potential Impact Adaptive
Capacity Score Vulnerability Score
Sensitive Populations
People with AFNs High High 3
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions Medium High 2 People with Low Incomes Medium High 2
People Experiencing Homelessness High High 3
Outdoor Workers Medium High 2
Older Adults Medium High 2
Children Medium High 2
People without Life-Supporting Resources High High 3
Critical Facilities
City Operations High High 3
Public Safety Facilities High High 3
Public Health Facilities High Medium 4
Community Centers Low Medium 2
Utility Facilities High High 3
Critical Transportation Medium High 2
Schools High Medium 4
Note: AFNs = access and functional needs
3.4 Drought
3.4.1 Exposure
The PDMWD provides water, wastewater collection and treatment, water recycling, and recreational facilities to East County residents, including the cities of Santee and El Cajon and unincorporated communities of Flinn Springs, Harbison Canyon, Blossom Valley, Alpine, Dehesa, and Crest. The PDMWD imports 100 percent of drinking water supply from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). The water the PDMWD imports primarily comes from the State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct via the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Prolonged drought conditions can result in decreasing availability of water supplies. The County’s 2021 Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Report covers the county’s exposure to the effects of climate change, including drought and water supply, and identifies the Sierra Nevada as a key contributor of water supply for the region. Sierra Nevada snowmelt provides water to Southern California and other areas of the state via the State Water Project. However, the volume of snowpack is susceptible to climate change and rising temperatures.19 The decline in the snowpack disrupts the timing of groundwater and surface water recharge, making it harder to store and use 19 County of San Diego. 2021. Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Report. 27. Accessed July 2023. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/GPUpdate2021/VulnerabilityAssessmentandAdaptationReport-Draft.pdf.
Table 5. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Extreme Precipitation Category Potential Impact anal Sore Vulnerability Score Sensitive Populations
People with AFNs High High 3
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions Medium High 2 People with Low Incomes Medium High 2
People Experiencing Homelessness High High 3
Outdoor Workers Medium High 2
Older Adults Medium High 2
Children Medium High 2
People without Life-Supporting Resources High High 3
Critical Facilities
City Operations High High 3
Public Safety Facilities High High 3
Public Health Facilities High Medium 4
Community Centers Low Medium 2
Utility Facilities High High 3
Critical Transportation Medium High 2
Schools High Medium 4
Note: AFNs = access and functional needs
3.4 Drought
3.4.1 Exposure
The PDMWD provides water, wastewater collection and treatment, water recycling, and recreational facilities to East County residents, including the cities of Santee and El Cajon and unincorporated communities of Flinn Springs, Harbison Canyon, Blossom Valley, Alpine, Dehesa, and Crest. The PDMWD imports 100 percent of drinking water supply from the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). The water the PDMWD imports primarily comes from the State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct via the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Prolonged drought conditions can result in decreasing availability of water supplies. The County’s 2021 Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Report covers the county’s exposure to the effects of climate change, including drought and water supply, and identifies the Sierra Nevada as a key contributor of water supply for the region. Sierra Nevada snowmelt provides water to Southern California and other areas of the state via the State Water Project. However, the volume of snowpack is susceptible to climate change and rising temperatures. '? The decline in the snowpack disrupts the timing of groundwater and surface water recharge, making it harder to store and use ‘8 County of San Diego. 2021. Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Report. 27. Accessed July 2023. https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/GPUpdate2021/VulnerabilityAssessmentandAdaptationReport-Draft.pdf.
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water during warm or drought conditions. High temperatures are also expected to affect the Colorado River streamflow.
Regionally, droughts are projected to become more frequent and intense in the county and throughout Southern California by mid-century. Cal-Adapt provides projections on the maximum length of a dry spell, or days with precipitation of less than 1 millimeter, for each year through mid- and end of century. Historically, Santee has averaged a 126-day dry spell for each year between 1961 and 1991. Dry spells are projected to increase by 4 to 8 days by mid-century and 6 to 14 days by end of century, depending on the emissions pathway.
3.4.2 Sensitivity
Water is critical to public health and safety, the economy, and community well-being. The PDMWD’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) estimates its population served in 2020 was 92,434. Drought conditions can increase demand for water supply, and water prices may rise in response to water shortages. Low-income households are particularly sensitive to increased water prices in drought as they often spend a greater percentage of their income on utilities, including water service. The communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of drought are people experiencing homelessness, people without life-supporting resources, and people with low incomes—all of which are communities that may have a potential inability to access and/or afford increased prices set by utilities due to water scarcity.
Drought and limited water supply can impact businesses that rely on water; however, due to the array of job sectors in Santee, this impact is very likely to be low. According to the City’s Housing Element, the City’s largest job sectors are educational services, healthcare, and social assistance (24 percent); professional, scientific, management, and administrative services (13 percent); and retail trade (12 percent). Agriculture, a water-dependent sector, is the smallest economic sector at less than 1 percent, while construction and manufacturing each comprise 8 percent of the economic sectors in Santee.
20 Potable water supply is imported from the State Water Project (North Bay, South Bay, and California Aqueducts) and the Colorado River (Los Angeles and Colorado River Aqueducts) by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The PDMWD’s potable water system consist of 14 pumping stations, 30 storage reservoirs, 19 pressure zones, 20 pressure reducing stations, and 398 miles of distribution mains.21 As described in the Section 4.1, Flood Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, the PDMWD maintains seven water reservoirs in Santee: the Charles C. Price Reservoir, with a capacity of 15.5 million gallons; the Northcote Reservoir, with a capacity of 0.71 million gallons; and the Fanita Terrace Reservoir, the only water 20 U.S. Census Bureau. 2019. “American Community Survey (ACS) 2014–2018 Estimates.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation/table-and-geography-changes/2018/5-year.html. 21 San Diego County Water Authority. 2021. “2020 Urban Water Management Plan.” March. Accessed July 2023. https://www.sdcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Draft-2020-UWMP.pdf. water during warm or drought conditions. High temperatures are also expected to affect the Colorado River streamflow.
Regionally, droughts are projected to become more frequent and intense in the county and throughout Southern California by mid-century. Cal-Adapt provides projections on the maximum length of a dry spell, or days with precipitation of less than 1 millimeter, for each year through mid- and end of century. Historically, Santee has averaged a 126-day dry spell for each year between 1961 and 1991. Dry spells are projected to increase by 4 to 8 days by mid-century and 6 to 14 days by end of century, depending on the emissions pathway.
3.4.2 Sensitivity
Water is critical to public health and safety, the economy, and community well-being. The PDMWD’s 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) estimates its population served in 2020 was 92,434. Drought conditions can increase demand for water supply, and water prices may rise in response to water shortages. Low-income households are particularly sensitive to increased water prices in drought as they often spend a greater percentage of their income on utilities, including water service. The communities that are most vulnerable to the impacts of drought are people experiencing homelessness, people without life-supporting resources, and people with low incomes—all of which are communities that may have a potential inability to access and/or afford increased prices set by utilities due to water scarcity.
Drought and limited water supply can impact businesses that rely on water; however, due to the array of job sectors in Santee, this impact is very likely to be low. According to the City’s Housing Element, the City’s largest job sectors are educational services, healthcare, and social assistance (24 percent); professional, scientific, management, and administrative services (13 percent); and retail trade (12 percent). Agriculture, a water-dependent sector, is the smallest economic sector at less than 1 percent, while construction and manufacturing each comprise 8 percent of the economic sectors in Santee.”°
Potable water supply is imported from the State Water Project (North Bay, South Bay, and California Aqueducts) and the Colorado River (Los Angeles and Colorado River Aqueducts) by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The PDMWD’s potable water system consist of 14 pumping stations, 30 storage reservoirs, 19 pressure zones, 20 pressure reducing stations, and 398 miles of distribution mains.*! As described in the Section 4.1, Flood Hazards, of the Safety and Environmental Justice Element, the PDMWD maintains seven water reservoirs in Santee: the Charles C. Price Reservoir, with a capacity of 15.5 million gallons; the Northcote Reservoir, with a capacity of 0.71 million gallons; and the Fanita Terrace Reservoir, the only water 20 U.S. Census Bureau. 2019. “American Community Survey (ACS) 2014-2018 Estimates.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation/table-and-geography-changes/2018/5-year.html. 21 San Diego County Water Authority. 2021. “2020 Urban Water Management Plan.” March. Accessed July 2023. https://www.sdcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Draft-2020-UWMP. pdf.
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tank in Santee that holds recycled water, storing up to 1.5 million gallons. The PDMWD is planning two additional potable water reservoirs, likely a 3-million-gallon facility that would be required for the Mesa Reservoir and a 4-million-gallon facility that would be required for the Fanita Ranch Reservoir. In addition to imported water, the PDMWD’s water supplies also include recycled water and a very small amount of groundwater used to supplement the recycled system.
3.4.3 Potential Impact
The magnitude of a drought’s impact is directly related to the severity and length. The severity of a drought depends on water availability and moisture deficiency and the size and location of the affected area. The longer the drought persists and the larger the area impacted, the more severe the potential impacts. Hot and dry conditions that persist into spring, summer, and fall can aggravate drought conditions, making the effects of drought more pronounced as water demands increase during the summer months. Impacts increase with the length of a drought, as carryover supplies in reservoirs are depleted and water levels in groundwater basins decline. 22 Droughts can cause drinking water shortages and declines in water quality as sediments and other contaminants aggregate in depleted reservoirs, leading to increased reservoir maintenance needs.
This is a greater concern for small water systems in rural areas and private residential wells. Water quality deterioration can occur during droughts due to lower levels of precipitation and limited water storage supply.
Droughts also increase the chances of catastrophic wildfire risks. Drought is a major determinant of wildfire hazard, in that it creates a greater propensity for fire starts and larger, more prolonged conflagrations fueled by excessively dry vegetation, along with reduced water supply for firefighting purposes. As illustrated by the state’s catastrophic 21st century wildfire seasons, devastating urban/wildland fire episodes occurred during or following a drought, when dead timber and brush and dry vegetation created conditions favorable for massive fire outbreaks.23 The Pacific Institute and Environmental Justice Coalition for Water released a 2017 report, accessible on the California Adaptation Clearinghouse’s website, called Drought and Equity in California. It is the first statewide analysis of impacts of the 5-year and ongoing drought on California’s most vulnerable communities. The report identifies impacts of drought on people, including water supply shortages and rising costs, which affect people’s access to safe, affordable water in their homes.24 Often, low-income communities are disproportionately burdened by rising costs, which can place pressure on the local economy and low-income households. In some cases, droughts can also cause significant increases in food prices to the consumer due to shortages. 22 California Department of Water Resources (DWR). 2022. “Drought.” Accessed July 2023. https://water.ca.gov/waterbasics/drought. 23 DWR. 2022. “Drought In California.” Accessed July 2023. https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/WaterBasics/Drought/Files/Publications-And-Reports/DroughtBrochure2021update_ay11.pdf. 24 Pacific Institute. 2017. “Drought and Equity in California.” January. Accessed July 2023. https://pacinst.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/01/PI_DroughtAndEquityInCA_Jan_2017.pdf.
tank in Santee that holds recycled water, storing up to 1.5 million gallons. The PDMWD is planning two additional potable water reservoirs, likely a 3-million-gallon facility that would be required for the Mesa Reservoir and a 4-million-gallon facility that would be required for the Fanita Ranch Reservoir. In addition to imported water, the PDMWD’s water supplies also include recycled water and a very small amount of groundwater used to supplement the recycled system.
3.4.3 Potential Impact
The magnitude of a drought’s impact is directly related to the severity and length. The severity of a drought depends on water availability and moisture deficiency and the size and location of the affected area. The longer the drought persists and the larger the area impacted, the more severe the potential impacts. Hot and dry conditions that persist into spring, summer, and fall can aggravate drought conditions, making the effects of drought more pronounced as water demands increase during the summer months. Impacts increase with the length of a drought, as carryover supplies in reservoirs are depleted and water levels in groundwater basins decline. 7” Droughts can cause drinking water shortages and declines in water quality as sediments and other contaminants aggregate in depleted reservoirs, leading to increased reservoir maintenance needs.
This is a greater concern for small water systems in rural areas and private residential wells. Water quality deterioration can occur during droughts due to lower levels of precipitation and limited water storage supply.
Droughts also increase the chances of catastrophic wildfire risks. Drought is a major determinant of wildfire hazard, in that it creates a greater propensity for fire starts and larger, more prolonged conflagrations fueled by excessively dry vegetation, along with reduced water supply for firefighting purposes. As illustrated by the state’s catastrophic 21*' century wildfire seasons, devastating urban/wildland fire episodes occurred during or following a drought, when dead timber and brush and dry vegetation created conditions favorable for massive fire outbreaks.”* The Pacific Institute and Environmental Justice Coalition for Water released a 2017 report, accessible on the California Adaptation Clearinghouse’s website, called Drought and Equity in California. It is the first statewide analysis of impacts of the 5-year and ongoing drought on California’s most vulnerable communities. The report identifies impacts of drought on people, including water supply shortages and rising costs, which affect people’s access to safe, affordable water in their homes.”4 Often, low-income communities are disproportionately burdened by rising costs, which can place pressure on the local economy and low-income households. In some cases, droughts can also cause significant increases in food prices to the consumer due to shortages. 22 California Department of Water Resources (DWR). 2022. “Drought.” Accessed July 2023. https://water.ca.gov/waterbasics/drought. 23 DWR. 2022. “Drought In California.” Accessed July 2023. https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/WaterBasics/Drought/Files/Publications-And-Reports/DroughtBrochure2021update_ay11.pdf. 4 Pacific Institute. 2017. “Drought and Equity in California.” January. Accessed July 2023. https://pacinst.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/01/PI_DroughtAndEquityInCA_Jan_2017.pdf.
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Examples of other economic impacts include costs to homeowners due to loss of residential landscaping, degradation of urban environments due to loss of landscaping, and higher electricity costs due to the loss of hydropower supplies.
Drought conditions stress the reliance on imported water supply and the county’s limited local water supply. In the event of a severe drought, utilities may have to implement customer demand reductions. As the wholesale provider for the region, the SDCWA recognizes that climate change will impact the availability of water supply, potentially triggering a water shortage. The PDMWD relies on imported water, and extreme drought conditions could limit the availability of imported supply at the source. According to the PDMWD’s 2020 UWMP, climate change is likely to add uncertainties to water supply planning and future supply availability. The PDMWD’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan identifies various water shortage levels and conservation measures for each level. In a severe drought, reductions may be made to irrigation and landscaping, and conservation measures may even apply to public works projects and actively irrigated environmental mitigation projects. Water supply shortages could impact the ability of critical facilities to continuously operate and provide necessary civil services.
3.4.4 Adaptive Capacity
The Sustainable Santee Plan includes the following strategies to help mitigate the impacts of drought:
• Educate the public about water conservation;
• Encourage low-impact development;
• Expand water recycling and gray-water systems;
• Promote sub-metering in multi-family housing units; and • Promote conversion of turf grass to xeriscaping.
The City releases information to the public about water conservation and water quality. The Stormwater Division posts tip sheets about minimizing hose use, vehicle washing, landscaping, harvesting rainwater, repairing leaks, adjusting sprinklers and watering times, installing drip systems, and implementing smart irrigation controllers. Contact information is also provided for WaterSmartSD, SaveOurWater, and the PDMWD.
Through the Public Information Office, the City has posted drought response summaries on its website.
For example, the City posted an overview of the measures it took to reduce water usage during the statewide 2015 drought. Water conversation measures implemented by the City included installing drip irrigation, using reclaimed water, using smart irrigation controllers, replacing landscaping with drought-tolerant vegetation, installing artificial turf, installing drip systems, and conducting daily inspections to identify water system leaks at parks, rights-of-way, and landscape maintenance districts.
The PDMWD provides a number of conservation programs to help customers become more water efficient and reduce water use. Specifically, the PDMWD offers rebate programs when programs are funded, for water saving devices and turf replacement and has numerous programs to promote Examples of other economic impacts include costs to homeowners due to loss of residential landscaping, degradation of urban environments due to loss of landscaping, and higher electricity costs due to the loss of hydropower supplies.
Drought conditions stress the reliance on imported water supply and the county’s limited local water supply. In the event of a severe drought, utilities may have to implement customer demand reductions. As the wholesale provider for the region, the SDCWA recognizes that climate change will impact the availability of water supply, potentially triggering a water shortage. The PDMWD relies on imported water, and extreme drought conditions could limit the availability of imported supply at the source. According to the PDMWD’s 2020 UWMP, climate change is likely to add uncertainties to water supply planning and future supply availability. The PDMWD’s Water Shortage Contingency Plan identifies various water shortage levels and conservation measures for each level. In a severe drought, reductions may be made to irrigation and landscaping, and conservation measures may even apply to public works projects and actively irrigated environmental mitigation projects. Water supply shortages could impact the ability of critical facilities to continuously operate and provide necessary civil services.
3.4.4 Adaptive Capacity
The Sustainable Santee Plan includes the following strategies to help mitigate the impacts of drought:
e Educate the public about water conservation;
e Encourage low-impact development;
e Expand water recycling and gray-water systems;
e Promote sub-metering in multi-family housing units; and e Promote conversion of turf grass to xeriscaping.
The City releases information to the public about water conservation and water quality. The Stormwater Division posts tip sheets about minimizing hose use, vehicle washing, landscaping, harvesting rainwater, repairing leaks, adjusting sprinklers and watering times, installing drip systems, and implementing smart irrigation controllers. Contact information is also provided for WaterSmartSD, SaveOurWater, and the PDPMWD.
Through the Public Information Office, the City has posted drought response summaries on its website.
For example, the City posted an overview of the measures it took to reduce water usage during the statewide 2015 drought. Water conversation measures implemented by the City included installing drip irrigation, using reclaimed water, using smart irrigation controllers, replacing landscaping with drought-tolerant vegetation, installing artificial turf, installing drip systems, and conducting daily inspections to identify water system leaks at parks, rights-of-way, and landscape maintenance districts.
The PDMWD provides a number of conservation programs to help customers become more water efficient and reduce water use. Specifically, the PDMWD offers rebate programs when programs are funded, for water saving devices and turf replacement and has numerous programs to promote Vulnerability Assessment 40 July 2023
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water-efficient landscaping. The free Residential Landscape Survey Program will identify potential leaks, recommend water conserving devices, assess irrigation efficiency, and determine a proper landscape watering schedule, all customized to the customer’s home. This program is available for single-family, multi-family, commercial, and industrial use properties. Customers can apply for the program through the PDMWD’s website. The PDMWD also hosts water-efficient landscaping workshops, water-smart landscaping makeover series, and landscape design and irrigation classes. Links to examples of water-efficient landscaping, a landscape watering calculator, and a do-it-yourself water audit are available on the PDMWD’s website. The PDMWD also has an education section of its website for children, containing workbooks by grade level about the water cycle, water conservation, and the California Water System. The PDMWD also offers tours of water recycling facilities and pump stations during which visitors can get a behindthe-scenes look at the operations of wastewater and water systems.
The PDMWD’s 2020 UWMP includes a drought risk assessment that evaluates the impacts of a 5- consecutive-year drought. This period represents the driest 5-year historical sequence for the PDMWD. The water demands during a 5-consecutive-year drought are anticipated to range between 18,148 acre-feet per year (first year) to 18,885 acre-feet per year (fifth year) by year 2045. Based on the SDCWA’s supply availability through the year 2045, the PDMWD is projected to have sufficient supply available to meet water demands through 2045 for a 5-consecutive-year drought. In addition, the SDCWA invested in carryover storage supplies to help achieve reliability in dry years and multiple-dry years. The carryover storage supply program includes both in-region surface water storage and out-of-region groundwater storage in California’s Central Valley. The PDMWD also has capacity to implement water conservation and outreach efforts during drought conditions that would result in lower demand increases than those normally associated with hot, dry weather.
According to the PDMWD’s 2020 UWMP, the PDMWD is focused on water supply diversification to reduce risks associated with reliance on imported water. Notable strategies include the following:
• By 2020, local water supplies, including the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, recycled water, groundwater and surface water reservoirs, increased to meet more than one-third of the region’s water supply demands.
• Potable reuse projects are local, drought-proof sources of water that are projected to make up 17 percent of the county’s drinking water supply by 2035. • The PDMWD is currently working with Helix Water District, the City of El Cajon, and the County on the East County Advanced Water Purification Project. This project would purify recycled water to create up to 30 percent of East County’s drinking water supply. Together with projects including Pure Water San Diego and Pure Water Oceanside, the East County Advanced Water Purification Project will play a crucial part in reducing the county’s reliance on imported water. It is expected to come online in 2025. water-efficient landscaping. The free Residential Landscape Survey Program will identify potential leaks, recommend water conserving devices, assess irrigation efficiency, and determine a proper landscape watering schedule, all customized to the customer’s home. This program is available for single-family, multi-family, commercial, and industrial use properties. Customers can apply for the program through the PDMWD’s website. The PDMWD also hosts water-efficient landscaping workshops, water-smart landscaping makeover series, and landscape design and irrigation classes. Links to examples of water-efficient landscaping, a landscape watering calculator, and a do-it-yourself water audit are available on the PDMWD’s website. The PXPMWD also has an education section of its website for children, containing workbooks by grade level about the water cycle, water conservation, and the California Water System. The PDMWD also offers tours of water recycling facilities and pump stations during which visitors can get a behindthe-scenes look at the operations of wastewater and water systems.
The PDMWD’s 2020 UWMP includes a drought risk assessment that evaluates the impacts of a 5- consecutive-year drought. This period represents the driest 5-year historical sequence for the PDMWD. The water demands during a 5-consecutive-year drought are anticipated to range between 18,148 acre-feet per year (first year) to 18,885 acre-feet per year (fifth year) by year 2045. Based on the SDCWA’s supply availability through the year 2045, the PDMWD 1s projected to have sufficient supply available to meet water demands through 2045 for a 5-consecutive-year drought. In addition, the SDCWA invested in carryover storage supplies to help achieve reliability in dry years and multiple-dry years. The carryover storage supply program includes both in-region surface water storage and out-of-region groundwater storage in California’s Central Valley. The PDMWD also has capacity to implement water conservation and outreach efforts during drought conditions that would result in lower demand increases than those normally associated with hot, dry weather.
According to the PDMWD’s 2020 UWMP, the PDMWD is focused on water supply diversification to reduce risks associated with reliance on imported water. Notable strategies include the following:
e By 2020, local water supplies, including the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, recycled water, groundwater and surface water reservoirs, increased to meet more than one-third of the region’s water supply demands.
e Potable reuse projects are local, drought-proof sources of water that are projected to make up 17 percent of the county’s drinking water supply by 2035. e The PODMWD is currently working with Helix Water District, the City of El Cajon, and the County on the East County Advanced Water Purification Project. This project would purify recycled water to create up to 30 percent of East County’s drinking water supply. Together with projects including Pure Water San Diego and Pure Water Oceanside, the East County Advanced Water Purification Project will play a crucial part in reducing the county’s reliance on imported water. It is expected to come online in 2025.
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The County’s MJHMP includes the following goals and actions to respond to natural hazards, such as climate change:
• Encourage residents to adopt drought-tolerant landscaping or xeriscape practices; • Promote use of reclaimed water for all landscaping efforts; and • Support groundwater recycling efforts.
Chapter 13.36, Landscape and Irrigation Regulations, of the Santee Municipal Code outlines the landscape and irrigation regulations. These regulations encourage the use of recycled water and update landscape design standards for new development in Santee. The regulations require efficient and appropriate irrigation equipment, establish maximum applied water allowances, prohibit overspray, include audit and maintenance provisions to meet the state’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, encourage the use of recycled water, and include minimum landscaping requirements. Further, the City’s Guidelines for Implementation of the City of Santee Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance establishes a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining, and managing water-efficient landscape practices in new construction and rehabilitated projects. It establishes provisions for water management practices and water waste prevention.
3.4.5 Vulnerability Score
Table 6, Vulnerability Assessment Results: Drought, provides the vulnerability scoring for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in response to drought effects in Santee. The reasoning for the scoring provided in Table 6 is discussed below.
Drought poses the most significant threat to people, especially sensitive groups, and rising temperatures have the potential to exacerbate drought. Vulnerable populations were given high scores for potential impact and medium to low scores for adaptive capacity, which resulted in relatively high vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 4 and 5; Table 6). Across the state, drought will continue to be a leading hazard of concern and have an impact on people and waterdependent industries. In Santee, drought will likely have the most impact on the following people without life-supporting resources:
• People without life-supporting resources may experience more intense drought-related impacts, such as lack of affordability (inaccessibility to water), diminished living conditions (displacement from homes), and mental health impacts (anxiety/depression disorders) due to their limited ability to access and/or afford clean water in their homes. • People experiencing homelessness may experience more severe drought-related impacts, such as higher incidence of heat stroke and greater loss of human life, due to their deficiency of physical space to seek shelter from changing environmental conditions.
Water utilities will be the most impacted by drought. Although drought may have minor (little to no) impacts on other critical facility asset categories in the short-term, the state and the Southern California region will need to continue to plan for the impacts of drought in the mid- to long-term under different The County’s MJHMP includes the following goals and actions to respond to natural hazards, such as climate change:
e Encourage residents to adopt drought-tolerant landscaping or xeriscape practices; e Promote use of reclaimed water for all landscaping efforts; and e Support groundwater recycling efforts.
Chapter 13.36, Landscape and Irrigation Regulations, of the Santee Municipal Code outlines the landscape and irrigation regulations. These regulations encourage the use of recycled water and update landscape design standards for new development in Santee. The regulations require efficient and appropriate irrigation equipment, establish maximum applied water allowances, prohibit overspray, include audit and maintenance provisions to meet the state’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, encourage the use of recycled water, and include minimum landscaping requirements. Further, the City’s Guidelines for Implementation of the City of Santee Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance establishes a structure for planning, designing, installing, maintaining, and managing water-efficient landscape practices in new construction and rehabilitated projects. It establishes provisions for water management practices and water waste prevention.
3.4.5 Vulnerability Score
Table 6, Vulnerability Assessment Results: Drought, provides the vulnerability scoring for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in response to drought effects in Santee. The reasoning for the scoring provided in Table 6 is discussed below.
Drought poses the most significant threat to people, especially sensitive groups, and rising temperatures have the potential to exacerbate drought. Vulnerable populations were given high scores for potential impact and medium to low scores for adaptive capacity, which resulted in relatively high vulnerability scores (vulnerability scores of 4 and 5; Table 6). Across the state, drought will continue to be a leading hazard of concern and have an impact on people and waterdependent industries. In Santee, drought will likely have the most impact on the following people without life-supporting resources:
e People without life-supporting resources may experience more intense drought-related impacts, such as lack of affordability (inaccessibility to water), diminished living conditions (displacement from homes), and mental health impacts (anxiety/depression disorders) due to their limited ability to access and/or afford clean water in their homes. e People experiencing homelessness may experience more severe drought-related impacts, such as higher incidence of heat stroke and greater loss of human life, due to their deficiency of physical space to seek shelter from changing environmental conditions.
Water utilities will be the most impacted by drought. Although drought may have minor (little to no) impacts on other critical facility asset categories in the short-term, the state and the Southern California region will need to continue to plan for the impacts of drought in the mid- to long-term under different Vulnerability Assessment 42 July 2023
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climate change scenarios. State modeling projects an increased number of dry days, dry years, and strings of dry years resulting from more frequent and more intense drought. 25 As a leading hazard of
concern for California, medium impact scores are given to critical facilities (Table 6).
Both the City and the PDMWD provide multiple resources to the public, and the drought assessment in the 2020 UWMP identifies sufficient water supplies in the event of a 5-year drought. However, the impacts of drought in the short- and long-term in order require continual assessment and planning to drought resiliency. Adaptive capacity score is rated as a medium as the City and PDMWD will need to identify long-term priorities to address climate change-related effects on drought (Table 6).
Table 6. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Drought
Category Potential Impact Adaptive Capacity
Score Vulnerability Score
Sensitive Populations
People Experiencing Homelessness High Low 5
People without Life-Supporting Resources High Low 5
People with AFNs High Medium 4
People with Low Incomes High Medium 4
Outdoor Workers High Medium 4
Older Adults High Medium 4
Children High Medium 4
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions High High 3 Critical Facilities
City Operations Medium Medium 3
Public Safety Facilities Medium Medium 3
Public Health Facilities Medium Medium 3
Community Centers Medium Medium 3
Utility Facilities High Medium 4
Critical Transportation Medium Medium 3
Schools Medium Medium 3
Note: AFNs = access and functional needs
3.5 Section 3 Summary
Section 3 summarized the exposure potential and sensitivity of vulnerable populations and critical facilities to the four climate change hazards (extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought) analyzed in this Vulnerability Assessment. Using the exposure and sensitivity to each hazard, the analysis identifies the potential impact of the hazard on vulnerable populations and critical facilities.
The potential impact and the adaptive capacity are examined to score the overall vulnerability of vulnerable populations and the City’s critical facilities to these hazards. Table 3 through Table 6 depict 25 State of California. 2019. “Fourth Climate Change Assessment.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.climateassessment.ca. gov/state/.
climate change scenarios. State modeling projects an increased number of dry days, dry years, and strings of dry years resulting from more frequent and more intense drought.” As a leading hazard of concern for California, medium impact scores are given to critical facilities (Table 6).
Both the City and the PDMWD provide multiple resources to the public, and the drought assessment in the 2020 UWMP identifies sufficient water supplies in the event of a 5-year drought. However, the impacts of drought in the short- and long-term in order require continual assessment and planning to drought resiliency. Adaptive capacity score is rated as a medium as the City and PDMWD will need to identify long-term priorities to address climate change-related effects on drought (Table 6).
Table 6. Vulnerability Assessment Results: Drought
Category Potential Impact ENS Vulnerability Score
Sensitive Populations
People Experiencing Homelessness High Low 5
People without Life-Supporting Resources High Low 5
People with AFNs High Medium 4
People with Low Incomes High Medium 4
Outdoor Workers High Medium 4
Older Adults High Medium 4
Children High Medium 4
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions High High 3 Critical Facilities
City Operations Medium Medium 3
Public Safety Facilities Medium Medium 3
Public Health Facilities Medium Medium 3
Community Centers Medium Medium 3
Utility Facilities High Medium 4
Critical Transportation Medium Medium 3
Schools Medium Medium 3
Note: AFNs = access and functional needs
3.5 Section 3 Summary
Section 3 summarized the exposure potential and sensitivity of vulnerable populations and critical facilities to the four climate change hazards (extreme heat, wildfire, extreme precipitation, and drought) analyzed in this Vulnerability Assessment. Using the exposure and sensitivity to each hazard, the analysis identifies the potential impact of the hazard on vulnerable populations and critical facilities.
The potential impact and the adaptive capacity are examined to score the overall vulnerability of vulnerable populations and the City’s critical facilities to these hazards. Table 3 through Table 6 depict 25 State of California. 2019. “Fourth Climate Change Assessment.” Accessed July 2023. https://www.climateassessment.ca. gov/state/.
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how the potential impact and adaptive capacity scores were used to determine overall vulnerability scores using the Vulnerability Scoring Rubric on Figure 4. Table 7, Vulnerability Assessment Results for All Hazards, summarizes the vulnerability scores for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in Santee, as identified in Table 3 through Table 6.
Table 7. Vulnerability Assessment Results for All Hazards Category
Vulnerability Score
Extreme Heat Wildfire
Extreme
Precipitation Drought
Sensitive Populations
People with AFNs 4 4 3 4
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions 3 3 2 3
People with Low Incomes 3 4 2 4
People Experiencing Homelessness 5 5 3 5
Outdoor Workers 4 4 2 4
Older Adults 3 4 2 4
Children 3 4 2 4
People without Life-Supporting Resources 4 5 3 5
Critical Facilities
Public Health Facilities 3 4 4 3
Schools 3 4 4 3
Utility Facilities 3 3 3 4
Critical Transportation 4 4 2 3
City Operations 2 3 3 3
Public Safety Facilities 2 3 3 3
Community Centers 2 3 2 3
Note: AFNs = access and functional needs
how the potential impact and adaptive capacity scores were used to determine overall vulnerability scores using the Vulnerability Scoring Rubric on Figure 4. Table 7, Vulnerability Assessment Results for All Hazards, summarizes the vulnerability scores for vulnerable populations and critical facilities in Santee, as identified in Table 3 through Table 6.
Table 7. Vulnerability Assessment Results for All Hazards Vulnerability Score
Extreme
Category Extreme Heat Wildfire Precipitation Drought
Sensitive Populations
People with AFNs 4 4 3 4
People with Existing Chronic Health Conditions 3 3 2 3
People with Low Incomes 3 4 2 4
People Experiencing Homelessness 5 5 3 5
Outdoor Workers 4 4 2 4
Older Adults 3 4 2 4
Children 3 4 2 4
People without Life-Supporting Resources 4 5 3 5
Critical Facilities
Public Health Facilities 3 4 4 3
Schools 3 4 4 3
Utility Facilities 3 3 3 4
Critical Transportation 4 4 2 3
City Operations 2 3 3 3
Public Safety Facilities 2 3 3 3
Community Centers 2 3 2 3
Note: AFNs = access and functional needs
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Appendix B. Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis
Appendix B. Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis
Emergency Evacuation
Route Analysis
City of Santee Safety and
Environmental Justice Element
July 2023
Prepared for:
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California 92071
Contact: Christina Rios, Senior Planner
Prepared by:
600 B Street, Suite 2000
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 236-1778
Contact: Darin Neufeld, AICP, Director
Emergency Evacuation
Route Analysis
City of Santee Safety and
Environmental Justice Element
July 2023
Prepared for:
Santee
DO MORE » DUE EAST
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California 92071
Contact: Christina Rios, Senior Planner
Prepared by:
a : ° = Harris & Associates
600 B Street, Suite 2000
San Diego, California 92101
(619) 236-1778
Contact: Darin Neufeld, AICP, Director
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Table of Contents
Section 1 Background...........................................................................................................1 Section 2 Hazard Scenarios..................................................................................................3 Section 3 Data, Assumptions, and Definitions....................................................................5 Section 4 Methodology .........................................................................................................7 Section 5 Results...................................................................................................................9 Section 6 Evacuation Locations.........................................................................................21 Section 7 Conclusion..........................................................................................................23 Section 8 Recommendations..............................................................................................25 Figures
Figure 1. Baseline Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score..................................................10 Figure 2. Northeast Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score ...................................12 Figure 3. Northwest Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score...................................14 Figure 4. Southwest Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score ..................................16 Figure 5. Flood Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score ......................................................18 Figure 6. Earthquake Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score .............................................20 Table of Contents
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Section 6 Evacuation Locations.............cccccceeeeneeeeneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaeesseeeeeeeeeeennns 21 Section 7 CONMCIUSION .0..... cee ceeeee settee ee eee eee eeeeeee eens eee eeeaneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaseeeeneneeeeeees 23 Section 8 ReECOMMENATIONS......ccccceeeeeeeeee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaeeeeeceeeeeeeeeeeaaeeesseeeeeeeeeeeens 25 Figures
Figure 1. Baseline Residential Evacuation Vulnerability SCOre...............cccccccseeeeeeeeeeeeesaneeeeeeeeees 10 Figure 2. Northeast Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability SCOre ..............ccccceeeeeeseeeeeeees 12 Figure 3. Northwest Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score.............. ccc 14 Figure 4. Southwest Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score .............:::cceeeeeeteeeeeees 16 Figure 5. Flood Residential Evacuation Vulnerability SCOre ..............cccccceceesssseeeeeeeeeeeessaeaeeeeeeess 18 Figure 6. Earthquake Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score ......... etter eens 20 Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis July 2023
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Section 1 Background
A variety of hazard scenarios could require an evacuation in parts of the City of Santee. These emergency situations could be caused by either natural or human-made events, such as wildfires, floods, or geologic or seismic hazards. Santee is responsible for ensuring emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities for all populations within its jurisdiction. The City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was prepared with input from partnering jurisdictions within San Diego County to provide a system for the effective management of emergencies consistent with the County EOP and to ensure the protection of life, property, and the environment before, during, and after an emergency event, natural disaster, or technological incident. This Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis incorporates the City’s EOP by reference.
The results of this analysis are intended to identify evacuation capacity and network connectivity in Santee in addition to meeting the requirements associated with the following legislative updates:
• Assembly Bill (AB) 7471 (2019) requires the City of Santee to update the Safety Element of its General Plan to identify evacuation routes and assess the capacity, safety, and viability of those routes under a range of emergency scenarios. • Senate Bill (SB) 992 (2019) requires the City of Santee to identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (i.e., neighborhoods or households within a hazard area that have limited accessibility). • AB 14093 (2021) requires the City of Santee to identify evacuation locations.
Authoritative state guidance has not yet been developed to determine the type and level of analysis that is mandated under AB 747, SB 99, or AB 1409. This analysis evaluates the efficacy of existing evacuation routes under various hazard scenarios, in compliance with AB 747, and uses the methodology described below to identify residential developments without sufficient evacuation routes, in compliance with SB 99. Evacuation locations are provided below in compliance with AB 1409.
1 An act to add Section 65302.15 to the California Government Code. 2 An act to amend Section 65302 of the California Government Code. 3 An act to add Section 65302.15 to the California Government Code.
Section’ Background
A variety of hazard scenarios could require an evacuation in parts of the City of Santee. These emergency situations could be caused by either natural or human-made events, such as wildfires, floods, or geologic or seismic hazards. Santee is responsible for ensuring emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities for all populations within its jurisdiction. The City’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) was prepared with input from partnering jurisdictions within San Diego County to provide a system for the effective management of emergencies consistent with the County EOP and to ensure the protection of life, property, and the environment before, during, and after an emergency event, natural disaster, or technological incident. This Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis incorporates the City’s EOP by reference.
The results of this analysis are intended to identify evacuation capacity and network connectivity in Santee in addition to meeting the requirements associated with the following legislative updates:
e Assembly Bill (AB) 7471 (2019) requires the City of Santee to update the Safety Element of its General Plan to identify evacuation routes and assess the capacity, safety, and viability of those routes under a range of emergency scenarios. e Senate Bill (SB) 99? (2019) requires the City of Santee to identify residential developments in hazard areas that do not have at least two emergency evacuation routes (i.e., neighborhoods or households within a hazard area that have limited accessibility). e AB 1409? (2021) requires the City of Santee to identify evacuation locations.
Authoritative state guidance has not yet been developed to determine the type and level of analysis that is mandated under AB 747, SB 99, or AB 1409. This analysis evaluates the efficacy of existing evacuation routes under various hazard scenarios, in compliance with AB 747, and uses the methodology described below to identify residential developments without sufficient evacuation routes, in compliance with SB 99. Evacuation locations are provided below in compliance with AB 1409.
’ An act to add Section 65302.15 to the California Government Code. ? An act to amend Section 65302 of the California Government Code. 3 An act to add Section 65302.15 to the California Government Code.
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Section 2 Hazard Scenarios
Evacuation route viability is largely determined by the location of the hazard. The city is surrounded by Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to the north and southwest as shown in Figures 2 through 4 of this Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis. Therefore, the City of Santee considered three scenarios with wildfire originating in the northeast, the northwest, and the southwest). Because flood zones exist along the San Diego River in the south-central portion of Santee, evacuation route viability is assessed for flood hazards (Figure 5, Flood Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score). Lastly, due to the proximity of the Rose Canyon extension of the Newport Inglewood Fault Zone and the Mission Gorge Fault and La Nacion Fault Zone southwest of the city, evacuation route viability is assessed for an earthquake event (Figure 6, Earthquake Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score).
Six hazard scenarios are considered in this analysis:
1. Baseline (no hazard location specified)
2. Wildfire (originating in the area northeast of the city)
3. Wildfire (originating in the area northwest of the city)
4. Wildfire (originating in the area southwest of the city)
5. Flood
6. Earthquake
Section2 Hazard Scenarios
Evacuation route viability is largely determined by the location of the hazard. The city is surrounded by Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones to the north and southwest as shown in Figures 2 through 4 of this Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis. Therefore, the City of Santee considered three scenarios with wildfire originating in the northeast, the northwest, and the southwest). Because flood zones exist along the San Diego River in the south-central portion of Santee, evacuation route viability is assessed for flood hazards (Figure 5, Flood Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score). Lastly, due to the proximity of the Rose Canyon extension of the Newport Inglewood Fault Zone and the Mission Gorge Fault and La Nacion Fault Zone southwest of the city, evacuation route viability is assessed for an earthquake event (Figure 6, Earthquake Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score).
Six hazard scenarios are considered in this analysis:
1. Baseline (no hazard location specified)
2. Wildfire (originating in the area northeast of the city)
3. Wildfire (originating in the area northwest of the city)
4. Wildfire (originating in the area southwest of the city)
5. Flood
6. Earthquake
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Section 3 Data, Assumptions, and Definitions
The Evacuation Route Analysis uses updated data from UrbanFootprint and the OpenStreetMap Foundation that was published in 2021. The OpenStreetMap Foundation data builds on and includes all roads in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) database. The database includes primary roads, secondary roads, local neighborhood roads, rural roads, city streets, vehicular trails, ramps, service drivers, walkways, stairways, alleys, and private roads. Roads within the city are evaluated for evacuation route viability using the assumptions described below and methodology described in Section 4.
To develop a methodology that effectively evaluates the safety and capacity of evacuation routes and identifies residential areas that lack two evacuation routes, the following definitions and assumptions apply:
1. “Evacuation route vulnerability” refers to the reduced ability of people to evacuate under emergency conditions. Evacuation route vulnerability scores are calculated for each residential parcel. Lower values indicate lower levels of vulnerability, while higher values indicate greater evacuation route vulnerability.
2. “Capacity” is defined by the ability of a road to accommodate traffic volume. In this analysis, road type (local, collector, arterial, or highway/freeway) is used as an indicator of road capacity.
• “Local” roads are streets that are primarily used to gain access to property. Proximity to local roads was not considered a significant determinant of evacuation vulnerability. • “Collector” roads are considered low-to-moderate capacity roads that serve to move traffic from local streets to arterial roads.
• An “arterial” road is a high-capacity urban road. The primary function of an arterial road is to deliver traffic from collector roads to highways/freeways, which are the highest capacity evacuation route.
3. Evacuation proceedings are primarily reliant on “outbound” roads: roads that transport drivers away from the city. Outbound roads are either freeways or arterials. Outbound roads begin at the intersection closest to the city boundary.
4. “Proximity” is defined by the distance from a residential parcel to nearest road (for collector roads) or “nodes”: the nearest intersection on the following road types:
arterial, outbound, or highway/freeway.
5. All roads have a potential role in evacuations. Closer proximity to higher capacity roads and outbound roads reduces evacuation vulnerability.
6. Hazard scenarios influence the direction people evacuate (away from the hazard area).
7. Under the earthquake hazard scenario, segments of roads with bridges are not viable.
Section3 Data, Assumptions, and Definitions
The Evacuation Route Analysis uses updated data from UrbanFootprint and the OpenStreetMap Foundation that was published in 2021. The OpenStreetMap Foundation data builds on and includes all roads in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) database. The database includes primary roads, secondary roads, local neighborhood roads, tural roads, city streets, vehicular trails, ramps, service drivers, walkways, stairways, alleys, and private roads. Roads within the city are evaluated for evacuation route viability using the assumptions described below and methodology described in Section 4.
To develop a methodology that effectively evaluates the safety and capacity of evacuation routes and identifies residential areas that lack two evacuation routes, the following definitions and assumptions apply:
1. “Evacuation route vulnerability” refers to the reduced ability of people to evacuate under emergency conditions. Evacuation route vulnerability scores are calculated for each residential parcel. Lower values indicate lower levels of vulnerability, while higher values indicate greater evacuation route vulnerability.
2. “Capacity” is defined by the ability of a road to accommodate traffic volume. In this analysis, road type (local, collector, arterial, or highway/freeway) is used as an indicator of road capacity.
e “Local” roads are streets that are primarily used to gain access to property. Proximity to local roads was not considered a significant determinant of evacuation vulnerability. e “Collector” roads are considered low-to-moderate capacity roads that serve to move traffic from local streets to arterial roads.
e An “arterial” road is a high-capacity urban road. The primary function of an arterial road is to deliver traffic from collector roads to highways/freeways, which are the highest capacity evacuation route.
3. Evacuation proceedings are primarily reliant on “outbound” roads: roads that transport drivers away from the city. Outbound roads are either freeways or arterials. Outbound roads begin at the intersection closest to the city boundary.
4. “Proximity” is defined by the distance from a residential parcel to nearest road (for collector roads) or “nodes”: the nearest intersection on the following road types:
arterial, outbound, or highway/freeway.
5. All roads have a potential role in evacuations. Closer proximity to higher capacity roads and outbound roads reduces evacuation vulnerability.
6. Hazard scenarios influence the direction people evacuate (away from the hazard area).
7. Under the earthquake hazard scenario, segments of roads with bridges are not viable.
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Section 4 Methodology
Evacuation route vulnerability scores were assigned to each residential property based on several factors, including proximity, capacity, and viability. The geospatial analysis included the following steps:
1. Map all residential parcels in Santee and all collector, arterial and outbound roads and freeways.
2. Create nodes at the intersection of collector and local roads to arterial roads and all intersections on outbound roads, including on-ramps for highways/freeways.
3. Determine the proximity of each residential parcel to the nearest evacuation route (highway/freeway or outbound road) using the following methodology:
a. Calculate the distance from the parcel to the nearest collector road. b. Calculate the distance to the nearest arterial, outbound road, or highway/freeway node.4
4. Each distance value calculated in Step 3 is weighted based on road type. Apply the following vulnerability weights to the road type to reflect the higher vulnerability of lower capacity roads and roads with bridges:
Road Type Vulnerability Weight
Freeway 1
Outbound Road 2
Arterial Road 3
Collector Road 4
Road segment with bridge 10
5. Add weighted distance values for each evacuation route to calculate the evacuation route vulnerability score. Lower values indicate the evacuation route has a lower vulnerability to the hazard scenario; higher values indicate greater vulnerability.
6. For each hazard scenario, identify residential parcels whose evacuation route vulnerability has changed (increased or decreased) from the baseline, and determine if there are any residential areas with fewer than two evacuation routes. A geographic information systems (GIS) assessment that identifies potential vulnerabilities in Santee is performed to conclude whether all residential parcels have at least two points of egress. 4 To account for the assumption that drivers would take the route that leads them out of the city most efficiently, if the distance from a parcel to a higher capacity road is less than the distance to a lower capacity road, the distance to the lower capacity road is assigned a value of 0.
Section4 Methodology
Evacuation route vulnerability scores were assigned to each residential property based on several factors, including proximity, capacity, and viability. The geospatial analysis included the following steps:
1. Map all residential parcels in Santee and all collector, arterial and outbound roads and freeways.
Create nodes at the intersection of collector and local roads to arterial roads and all intersections on outbound roads, including on-ramps for highways/freeways.
Determine the proximity of each residential parcel to the nearest evacuation route (highway/freeway or outbound road) using the following methodology:
a. Calculate the distance from the parcel to the nearest collector road. b. Calculate the distance to the nearest arterial, outbound road, or highway/freeway node.* Each distance value calculated in Step 3 is weighted based on road type. Apply the following vulnerability weights to the road type to reflect the higher vulnerability of lower capacity roads and roads with bridges:
Road Type Vulnerability Weight
Freeway 1
Outbound Road 2
Arterial Road 3
Collector Road 4
Road segment with bridge 10
Add weighted distance values for each evacuation route to calculate the evacuation route vulnerability score. Lower values indicate the evacuation route has a lower vulnerability to the hazard scenario; higher values indicate greater vulnerability.
For each hazard scenario, identify residential parcels whose evacuation route vulnerability has changed (increased or decreased) from the baseline, and determine if there are any residential areas with fewer than two evacuation routes. A geographic information systems (GIS) assessment that identifies potential vulnerabilities in Santee is performed to conclude whether all residential parcels have at least two points of egress. 4 To account for the assumption that drivers would take the route that leads them out of the city most efficiently, if the distance from a parcel to a higher capacity road is less than the distance to a lower capacity road, the distance to the lower capacity road is assigned a value of 0.
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Section 5 Results
1. Baseline
The baseline scenario evaluates the evacuation route vulnerability of residential parcels absent a hazard event. In the baseline scenario, all outbound roads are available to residents for evacuation (Figure 1, Baseline Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score). Key intersections within the city boundary are where two arterial roads connect. These key intersections are labeled on the baseline map. Major intersections are necessary to efficiently route residents to outbound roads.
Residential parcels with higher evacuation route vulnerability scores are highlighted in red, orange, or yellow. Assuming all evacuation routes are viable, residents in the northern and southwestern regions of the city have the highest evacuation route vulnerability, as they have the farthest to travel to access outbound evacuation routes (i.e., State Route [SR-] 67, SR-52, SR-125, and Interstate [I-] 8).
In addition to considering evacuation route vulnerability, the vulnerability of residents should be considered in determining which areas may need to be prioritized by first responders during an evacuation. The areas in the Santee with a greater percentage of older adults, people with disabilities, and households that do not own a vehicle (i.e., transit-dependent populations) require greater levels of support during an evacuation. Other vulnerable groups beyond those within these demographics should be examined relative to evacuation route vulnerability.
For example, the following areas are defined as disadvantaged communities in the General Plan Safety and Environmental Justice Element:
• The area south of Mission Gorge Road and west of Fanita Road (Census Tract 0166.05) • The area south of Mission Gorge Road and east of Fanita Road (Census Tract 0166.16) • The area south of Mission Gorge Road and east of Cuyamaca Street (Census Tract 0166.17)
[See Figure 6.1 through Figure 6.3 in the Safety and Environmental Justice Element for the City’s disadvantaged communities.]
Section5 Results
1. Baseline
The baseline scenario evaluates the evacuation route vulnerability of residential parcels absent a hazard event. In the baseline scenario, all outbound roads are available to residents for evacuation (Figure 1, Baseline Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score). Key intersections within the city boundary are where two arterial roads connect. These key intersections are labeled on the baseline map. Major intersections are necessary to efficiently route residents to outbound roads.
Residential parcels with higher evacuation route vulnerability scores are highlighted in red, orange, or yellow. Assuming all evacuation routes are viable, residents in the northern and southwestern regions of the city have the highest evacuation route vulnerability, as they have the farthest to travel to access outbound evacuation routes (i.e., State Route [SR-] 67, SR-52, SR-125, and Interstate [I-] 8).
In addition to considering evacuation route vulnerability, the vulnerability of residents should be considered in determining which areas may need to be prioritized by first responders during an evacuation. The areas in the Santee with a greater percentage of older adults, people with disabilities, and households that do not own a vehicle (i.e., transit-dependent populations) require greater levels of support during an evacuation. Other vulnerable groups beyond those within these demographics should be examined relative to evacuation route vulnerability.
For example, the following areas are defined as disadvantaged communities in the General Plan Safety and Environmental Justice Element:
e The area south of Mission Gorge Road and west of Fanita Road (Census Tract 0166.05) e The area south of Mission Gorge Road and east of Fanita Road (Census Tract 0166.16) e The area south of Mission Gorge Road and east of Cuyamaca Street (Census Tract 0166.17)
[See Figure 6.1 through Figure 6.3 in the Safety and Environmental Justice Element for the City’s disadvantaged communities. |
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Figure 1. Baseline Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score Figure 1. Baseline Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score | £7: City Boundary
Road Type
— Collector County of San Diego
Arterial
uma Freeway
Freeway Ramp
Residential Evacuation ret ok
Vunerability Score wae we
mee Higher a :
ee 1 j = 1 ower ; 5
a MISSIONIGORGE i)
SSD wt EI pclsiCiy oy Randy Dosdal_— Path: CiGis Py
Source: UrbanFootprint 2022. ESRI 2022
cz . . N 0 0.5 1 Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score tag | Harris & Associates A ——— for Baseline Scenario City of Santee Safety Element
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2. Wildfire (Northeast)
This scenario assumes a mandatory residential evacuation due to a wildfire northeast of the city.
Outbound roads leading north/northeast, such as SR-67 North, are assumed to be not viable due to the wildfire hazard. The south- and west-bound freeways are the most viable evacuation routes in Santee in this scenario. Evacuation vulnerability scores are re-calculated from the baseline scenario to account for the increased distance to the next closest, viable outbound road. Figure 2, Northeast Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score, highlights residential parcels with evacuation route vulnerability scores that increased as a result of the SR-67 North evacuation route being closed. SR-67 South, SR-52 West, and SR-125 South, as well as I-8, are the outbound roads most likely to be used in this scenario. Residents are able to travel along the following arterial roadways in Santee in order to access the viable south- and west-bound freeways: Mast Boulevard, Mission Gorge Road, Cuyamaca Street, and Magnolia Avenue. The viable south- and west-bound freeways under this scenario increase overall evacuation capacity in Santee. However, the city’s internal roadways (e.g., arterial roads) are subject to congestion as residents attempt to access the outbound freeways. Emergency responders should consider activating evacuation traffic management along arterial roads to allow for easier access to the freeways, although this requires extensive coordination and should be reserved for extreme wildfire threats.
2. Wildfire (Northeast)
This scenario assumes a mandatory residential evacuation due to a wildfire northeast of the city.
Outbound roads leading north/northeast, such as SR-67 North, are assumed to be not viable due to the wildfire hazard. The south- and west-bound freeways are the most viable evacuation routes in Santee in this scenario. Evacuation vulnerability scores are re-calculated from the baseline scenario to account for the increased distance to the next closest, viable outbound road. Figure 2, Northeast Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score, highlights residential parcels with evacuation route vulnerability scores that increased as a result of the SR-67 North evacuation route being closed. SR-67 South, SR-52 West, and SR-125 South, as well as I-8, are the outbound roads most likely to be used in this scenario. Residents are able to travel along the following arterial roadways in Santee in order to access the viable south- and west-bound freeways: Mast Boulevard, Mission Gorge Road, Cuyamaca Street, and Magnolia Avenue. The viable south- and west-bound freeways under this scenario increase overall evacuation capacity in Santee. However, the city’s internal roadways (e.g., arterial roads) are subject to congestion as residents attempt to access the outbound freeways. Emergency responders should consider activating evacuation traffic management along arterial roads to allow for easier access to the freeways, although this requires extensive coordination and should be reserved for extreme wildfire threats.
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Figure 2. Northeast Wildfire Figure 2. Northeast Wildfire Residential Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score Evacuation Vulnerability Score i=; City Boundary
Fire Hazard Severity Zones
@® Very High
High
Moderate
Road Type
— Collector
Arterial
ama Freeway
Freeway Ramp
=== Non-Viable Road
Residential Evacuation
Vulnerability Score
—_ Higher
—_ Lower
Harris & Associates A
Miles
Residential Evacuation Vunerability Score
for Northeastern Fire Scenario
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Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis
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12 July 2023
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 13 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
3. Wildfire (Northwest)
This scenario assumes a mandatory residential evacuation due to a wildfire northwest of the city.
Outbound roads leading north/northwest, including SR-52 West, are assumed to be not viable. The south- and east-bound freeways are the most viable evacuation routes in Santee in this scenario.
Evacuation scores are re-calculated from the baseline scenario to account for the increased distance to the next closest, viable outbound road. Figure 3, Northwest Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score, highlights residential parcels with evacuation route vulnerability scores that increased as a result of the SR-52 West evacuation route being closed. SR-67 South, SR-52 East, SR-125 South, and I-8 East are the outbound roads most likely to be used in this scenario.
Residents are able to travel along the following arterial roadways in Santee in order to access the viable south- and east-bound freeways: Mast Boulevard, Mission Gorge Road, Cuyamaca Street, and Magnolia Avenue. The viable south- and east-bound freeways under this scenario increase overall evacuation capacity in Santee. However, the city’s internal roadways (e.g., arterial roads) are subject to congestion as residents attempt to access the freeways. Emergency responders should consider activating evacuation traffic management along arterial roads to allow for easier access to the freeways, although this requires extensive coordination and should be reserved for extreme wildfire threats.
3. Wildfire (Northwest)
This scenario assumes a mandatory residential evacuation due to a wildfire northwest of the city.
Outbound roads leading north/northwest, including SR-52 West, are assumed to be not viable. The south- and east-bound freeways are the most viable evacuation routes in Santee in this scenario.
Evacuation scores are re-calculated from the baseline scenario to account for the increased distance to the next closest, viable outbound road. Figure 3, Northwest Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score, highlights residential parcels with evacuation route vulnerability scores that increased as a result of the SR-52 West evacuation route being closed. SR-67 South, SR-52 East, SR-125 South, and I-8 East are the outbound roads most likely to be used in this scenario.
Residents are able to travel along the following arterial roadways in Santee in order to access the viable south- and east-bound freeways: Mast Boulevard, Mission Gorge Road, Cuyamaca Street, and Magnolia Avenue. The viable south- and east-bound freeways under this scenario increase overall evacuation capacity in Santee. However, the city’s internal roadways (e.g., arterial roads) are subject to congestion as residents attempt to access the freeways. Emergency responders should consider activating evacuation traffic management along arterial roads to allow for easier access to the freeways, although this requires extensive coordination and should be reserved for extreme wildfire threats.
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 13 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 14 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Figure 3. Figure 3. Northwest Wildfire Northwest Wildfire Residential Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score Evacuation Vulnerability Score i®; City Boundary
Fire Hazard Severity
Zones
@® Very High
High
Moderate
Road Type
| —— Collector
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Freeway Ramp
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Residential Evacuation
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ea : y 0.9 1 Residential Evaucation Vunerability Score ean | artis & Associates A Samm for Northwest Fire Scenario City of Santee Safety Element
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 14 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 15 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
4. Wildfire (Southwest)
This scenario assumes a mandatory residential evacuation due to a wildfire southwest of the city.
Outbound roads leading south/southwest, including SR-52 West and SR-125 South, are assumed to be not viable. The north- and east-bound freeways are the most viable evacuation routes in Santee in this scenario. Evacuation scores are re-calculated from the baseline scenario to account for the increased distance to the next closest, viable outbound road. Figure 4, Southwest Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score, highlights residential parcels with evacuation route vulnerability scores that increased as a result of the SR-52 West and SR-125 South evacuation routes being closed. SR-67 North, SR-52 East, and I-8 East are the outbound roads most likely to be used in this scenario. Residents are able to travel along the following arterial roadways in Santee to access the viable north- and east-bound freeways: Mast Boulevard, Mission Gorge Road, Cuyamaca Street, and Magnolia Avenue. The viable north- and east-bound freeways under this scenario increase overall evacuation capacity in Santee. However, the evacuation of residents without life-saving resources or residents with reduced mobility, such as those who do not have access to a vehicle of their own, may be more challenging.
4. Wildfire (Southwest)
This scenario assumes a mandatory residential evacuation due to a wildfire southwest of the city.
Outbound roads leading south/southwest, including SR-52 West and SR-125 South, are assumed to be not viable. The north- and east-bound freeways are the most viable evacuation routes in Santee in this scenario. Evacuation scores are re-calculated from the baseline scenario to account for the increased distance to the next closest, viable outbound road. Figure 4, Southwest Wildfire Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score, highlights residential parcels with evacuation route vulnerability scores that increased as a result of the SR-52 West and SR-125 South evacuation routes being closed. SR-67 North, SR-52 East, and I-8 East are the outbound roads most likely to be used in this scenario. Residents are able to travel along the following arterial roadways in Santee to access the viable north- and east-bound freeways: Mast Boulevard, Mission Gorge Road, Cuyamaca Street, and Magnolia Avenue. The viable north- and east-bound freeways under this scenario increase overall evacuation capacity in Santee. However, the evacuation of residents without life-saving resources or residents with reduced mobility, such as those who do not have access to a vehicle of their own, may be more challenging.
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 15 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 16 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Figure 4. Figure 4. Southwest Wildfire Southwest Wildfire Residential Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score Evacuation Vulnerability Score i=: City Boundary \
Fire Hazard Severity
Zones
@® Very High
High
Moderate SUN san ida,
Road Type
m= Non-Viable Quibound Freeway
— Collector
Arterial
/| =< Outbound ER
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Freeway Ramp
am Non-Viable Road
Residential Evacuation
Vunerability Score
— Higher
= Lower
N 0 05 1 Residential Evaucation Vunerability Score Harris & Associates A ———— for Southwestern Fire Scenario City of Santee Safety Element
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 16 July 2023
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Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 17 July 2023
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5. Flood
The flood scenario assumes that all city residents will need to evacuate away from the flood zone.
Because the flood zone is along the San Diego River, the roadways that cross the river (i.e., located within the floodway) are assumed to be non-viable routes. For example, the following roadways are non-viable in the event of a flood: West Hills Parkway, Carlton Hills Boulevard, Olive Lane, Cuyamaca Street, Magnolia Avenue, Riverford Road, and Channel Road (Figure 5, Flood Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score). Evacuation scores are re-calculated from the baseline to account for the increased distance to the next closest, viable outbound road. Figure 5 highlights residential parcels with evacuation route vulnerability scores that increased as a result of the evacuation routes being closed. Given that all city residents are assumed to need to evacuate, residents in the north area of the city (furthest from the flood zone) are shown to have the highest vulnerability, although they are much less likely to be affected by a flood from the San Diego River. It should be noted that residents closest to the flood zone are at highest risk of being affected by a flood hazards, although these residents generally have more options for viable routes to evacuate the city.
The roadways (collector and arterial) that flow in directions away from the floodway are the outbound roads most likely to be utilized in this scenario (e.g., Mast Boulevard, Woodside Avenue, Mission Gorge Road, El Nopal, Fanita Drive, Cuyamaca Street, Magnolia Avenue). However, the floodway includes sections of several of the arterial roads in Santee (i.e., Cuyamaca Street and Magnolia Avenue, where they cross the floodplain). Roadways that connect residents to evacuation routes (e.g., arterial roads) may be inundated, limiting the ability of residents to evacuate. Also, first responders may have more difficulty accessing vulnerable populations that need to be evacuated once the water inundates the area. For example, people with mobility restrictions (e.g., wheelchairs) would not be able to cross a ladder and would be more difficult to access in a flooded area. The time it takes to evacuate is not as critical during a flooding event because a flood is a slower-onset hazard. However, people experiencing homelessness may be camped near the San Diego River and therefore, inundated with floodwaters before first responders can access the area.
5. Flood
The flood scenario assumes that all city residents will need to evacuate away from the flood zone.
Because the flood zone is along the San Diego River, the roadways that cross the river (i.e., located within the floodway) are assumed to be non-viable routes. For example, the following roadways are non-viable in the event of a flood: West Hills Parkway, Carlton Hills Boulevard, Olive Lane, Cuyamaca Street, Magnolia Avenue, Riverford Road, and Channel Road (Figure 5, Flood Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score). Evacuation scores are re-calculated from the baseline to account for the increased distance to the next closest, viable outbound road. Figure 5 highlights residential parcels with evacuation route vulnerability scores that increased as a result of the evacuation routes being closed. Given that all city residents are assumed to need to evacuate, residents in the north area of the city (furthest from the flood zone) are shown to have the highest vulnerability, although they are much less likely to be affected by a flood from the San Diego River. It should be noted that residents closest to the flood zone are at highest risk of being affected by a flood hazards, although these residents generally have more options for viable routes to evacuate the city.
The roadways (collector and arterial) that flow in directions away from the floodway are the outbound roads most likely to be utilized in this scenario (e.g., Mast Boulevard, Woodside Avenue, Mission Gorge Road, El Nopal, Fanita Drive, Cuyamaca Street, Magnolia Avenue). However, the floodway includes sections of several of the arterial roads in Santee (i.e., Cuyamaca Street and Magnolia Avenue, where they cross the floodplain). Roadways that connect residents to evacuation routes (e.g., arterial roads) may be inundated, limiting the ability of residents to evacuate. Also, first responders may have more difficulty accessing vulnerable populations that need to be evacuated once the water inundates the area. For example, people with mobility restrictions (e.g., wheelchairs) would not be able to cross a ladder and would be more difficult to access in a flooded area. The time it takes to evacuate is not as critical during a flooding event because a flood is a slower-onset hazard. However, people experiencing homelessness may be camped near the San Diego River and therefore, inundated with floodwaters before first responders can access the area.
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 17 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 18 July 2023
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Figure 5. Figure 5. Flood Flood Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score =
= City Boundary
FEMA Flood Zones
@® Floodway
©) 100-Year Flood Zone
§00-Year Flood Zone
Road Type
os Non-Viable Outbound Freeway
— Collector
Arterial
=m Freeway
Freeway Ramp
om Non-Viable Road
Residential Evacuation
Vunerability Score
peer Higher
ower
a \
TTT
Pd | i |
Harris & Associates rN 0 05 | Residential Evaucation Vunerability Score _—— aS | j for Flood Scenario City of Santee Saftey Element
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis
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Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 19 July 2023
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6. Earthquake
Because earthquakes can cause damage to bridges, including freeway bridges, the following assumptions were made: (1) residential parcels that require a bridge crossing to access their most efficient evacuation route are more vulnerable compared to those that do not need to cross a bridge, and (2) outbound roads that require a bridge crossing may not be viable evacuation routes after an earthquake. To account for the first assumption, residential parcels that require a bridge crossing to access their otherwise most efficient evacuation route have a higher vulnerability weight assigned to the road segment with the bridge. The second assumption removes the majority of evacuation routes from the analysis. For example, the bridges along the following roads are assumed to not be accessible in the event of an earthquake: Carlton Hills Boulevard, Cuyamaca Street, and Magnolia Avenue. Vulnerable residential parcels with no viable evacuation routes are denoted in the shaded areas on Figure 6, Earthquake Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score. Note: This figure represents a worst-case scenario where all bridges fail, meaning that no bridges can be traversed. The areas that do not have two points of egress have been included in this map to comply with SB 99. Compared to the baseline scenario, more residential parcels in this scenario are vulnerable due to their proximity to bridges, including those in the south central and northwest regions of the city. Residents in these areas would not be able to evacuate along the identified evacuation routes (i.e., freeways) because the arterials and collectors that connect to the freeways would not be accessible. Emergency responders should consider the possibility of bridge failure and should also encourage residents to pre-determine routes without bridge crossings that lead out of the city. Bridges should be inspected regularly and reinforced as needed to prevent the possibility of bridge failure during an evacuation event.
6. Earthquake
Because earthquakes can cause damage to bridges, including freeway bridges, the following assumptions were made: (1) residential parcels that require a bridge crossing to access their most efficient evacuation route are more vulnerable compared to those that do not need to cross a bridge, and (2) outbound roads that require a bridge crossing may not be viable evacuation routes after an earthquake. To account for the first assumption, residential parcels that require a bridge crossing to access their otherwise most efficient evacuation route have a higher vulnerability weight assigned to the road segment with the bridge. The second assumption removes the majority of evacuation routes from the analysis. For example, the bridges along the following roads are assumed to not be accessible in the event of an earthquake: Carlton Hills Boulevard, Cuyamaca Street, and Magnolia Avenue. Vulnerable residential parcels with no viable evacuation routes are denoted in the shaded areas on Figure 6, Earthquake Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score. Note: This figure represents a worst-case scenario where all bridges fail, meaning that no bridges can be traversed. The areas that do not have two points of egress have been included in this map to comply with SB 99. Compared to the baseline scenario, more residential parcels in this scenario are vulnerable due to their proximity to bridges, including those in the south central and northwest regions of the city. Residents in these areas would not be able to evacuate along the identified evacuation routes (i.e., freeways) because the arterials and collectors that connect to the freeways would not be accessible. Emergency responders should consider the possibility of bridge failure and should also encourage residents to pre-determine routes without bridge crossings that lead out of the city. Bridges should be inspected regularly and reinforced as needed to prevent the possibility of bridge failure during an evacuation event.
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 19 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 20 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Figure 6. Figure 6. Earthquake Earthquake Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score Residential Evacuation Vulnerability Score :=: City Boundary Re
|| @ Bridges
Road Type
aa Non-Viable Outbound Freeway
— Collector
Arterial
== Outbound ER
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County of San Diego
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Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 20 July 2023
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Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 21 July 2023
City of Santee Safety-Environmental Justice Element
Section 6 Evacuation Locations
In accordance with AB 1409, this Evacuation Route Analysis is required to identify evacuation locations for the city. Evacuation locations for city residents would be dependent on the type and location of hazardous event affecting the city and would be determined by first responders on site during emergency situations. For example, if a wildfire occurs north of the city, residents would be directed to evacuate to community centers and City buildings in the southern portion of the city, such as the City of Santee Emergency Operations Center (City of Santee Town Hall) or Alternate Emergency Operations Center (Santee Public Works Operations Center), or to areas south of the city, such as El Cajon. Evacuation locations would consist of places in Santee that residents are familiar with, such as parks, community centers, schools, libraries, City department buildings, or churches.
Section6 Evacuation Locations
In accordance with AB 1409, this Evacuation Route Analysis is required to identify evacuation locations for the city. Evacuation locations for city residents would be dependent on the type and location of hazardous event affecting the city and would be determined by first responders on site during emergency situations. For example, if a wildfire occurs north of the city, residents would be directed to evacuate to community centers and City buildings in the southern portion of the city, such as the City of Santee Emergency Operations Center (City of Santee Town Hall) or Alternate Emergency Operations Center (Santee Public Works Operations Center), or to areas south of the city, such as El Cajon. Evacuation locations would consist of places in Santee that residents are familiar with, such as parks, community centers, schools, libraries, City department buildings, or churches.
Emergency Evacuation Route Analysis 21 July 2023
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Section 7 Conclusion
The results of the Evacuation Route Analysis were as expected for each of the hazard scenarios.
Residential parcels near outbound roads that were assumed to be non-viable under the hazard scenario saw an increase in their Evacuation Route Vulnerability Score compared to the baseline scenario, reflecting the greater distance residents would need to travel to access the next nearest outbound evacuation route:
• The baseline scenario suggests that residents closest to the northern region of the city center are most vulnerable given the distance they would need to travel to access an outbound road.
The Evacuation Route Analysis identified potential vulnerabilities in the city according to a GIS assessment that concludes whether all residential parcels have at least two points of egress. The analysis shows that residents closest to the southern and southwestern regions of the city are most vulnerable given the bridges they would need to traverse to access an outbound road:
• The residential parcels in the northern region of the city are the most vulnerable in the event of a wildfire from the northeast; however, these residents have more than two viable evacuation routes in this scenario.
• The residential parcels in the northern region of the city are the most vulnerable in the event of a wildfire from the northwest; however, these residents have more than two viable evacuation routes in this scenario.
• The residential parcels in the northern and western regions of the city are the most vulnerable in the event of a wildfire from the southwest; however, these residents have more than two viable evacuation routes in this scenario. • The residential parcels in the northern region of the city are the most vulnerable in the event of a flood; however, these residents have more than two viable evacuation routes in this scenario.
• The residential parcels in the south central and northwest regions of the city do not have any viable evacuation routes in the event of an earthquake. • The residential parcels in the southwestern region of the city only have one viable evacuation route in the event of an earthquake: Mission Gorge Road.
Section7 Conclusion
The results of the Evacuation Route Analysis were as expected for each of the hazard scenarios.
Residential parcels near outbound roads that were assumed to be non-viable under the hazard scenario saw an increase in their Evacuation Route Vulnerability Score compared to the baseline scenario, reflecting the greater distance residents would need to travel to access the next nearest outbound evacuation route:
e The baseline scenario suggests that residents closest to the northern region of the city center are most vulnerable given the distance they would need to travel to access an outbound road.
The Evacuation Route Analysis identified potential vulnerabilities in the city according to a GIS assessment that concludes whether all residential parcels have at least two points of egress. The analysis shows that residents closest to the southern and southwestern regions of the city are most vulnerable given the bridges they would need to traverse to access an outbound road:
e The residential parcels in the northern region of the city are the most vulnerable in the event of a wildfire from the northeast; however, these residents have more than two viable evacuation routes in this scenario.
e The residential parcels in the northern region of the city are the most vulnerable in the event of a wildfire from the northwest; however, these residents have more than two viable evacuation routes in this scenario.
e The residential parcels in the northern and western regions of the city are the most vulnerable in the event of a wildfire from the southwest; however, these residents have more than two viable evacuation routes in this scenario. e The residential parcels in the northern region of the city are the most vulnerable in the event of a flood; however, these residents have more than two viable evacuation routes in this scenario.
e The residential parcels in the south central and northwest regions of the city do not have any viable evacuation routes in the event of an earthquake. e The residential parcels in the southwestern region of the city only have one viable evacuation route in the event of an earthquake: Mission Gorge Road.
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Section 8 Recommendations
The Evacuation Route Analysis suggests that emergency responders should be flexible in emergency scenarios since the location and extent of a hazard may disrupt established evacuation routes. Given the potential for congestion when certain evacuation routes are closed, emergency responders should consider contraflow lane reversal (i.e., the reversal of lanes in order to temporarily increase the capacity of congested roads) as one strategy to efficiently evacuate residents during all hazard scenarios. The majority of the outbound evacuation routes rely on a bridge, which are vulnerable to earthquakes and seismic hazards. Parcels that require access to bridges to evacuate should be prioritized as areas of concern in the event of an earthquake. In the event of a flood hazard, people experiencing homelessness may be camped near the San Diego River and therefore, inundated with floodwaters before first responders can access the area. First responders should focus first on evacuating areas closest to the flood zone. Additionally, first responders may have more difficulty accessing vulnerable populations that need to be evacuated.
For example, people with mobility restrictions (e.g., wheelchairs) would not be able to cross a ladder and would be more difficult to access in a flooded or fire area. Special consideration should be made for accessing people with mobility restrictions (e.g., at hospitals, senior centers, etc.) during flood and fire hazards.
Social vulnerability indicators, including age, disability, and other mobility factors, should be further examined to determine other potential barriers to evacuation besides distance to and capacity of evacuation routes. The City, in coordination with the County of San Diego, continues to plan for the needs of individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs, including but not limited to providing accessible transportation during evacuations, providing public information in multiple languages, language translation services at evacuation and recovery centers, and training first responders on how to interact with persons with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. The City’s EOP details the measures to ensure that preparedness and response strategies serve the needs of the entire population within the City, including vulnerable populations, such as people with physical, programmatic, and communications needs; children; and household pets and service animals.
Section8 Recommendations
The Evacuation Route Analysis suggests that emergency responders should be flexible in emergency scenarios since the location and extent of a hazard may disrupt established evacuation routes. Given the potential for congestion when certain evacuation routes are closed, emergency responders should consider contraflow lane reversal (1.e., the reversal of lanes in order to temporarily increase the capacity of congested roads) as one strategy to efficiently evacuate residents during all hazard scenarios. The majority of the outbound evacuation routes rely on a bridge, which are vulnerable to earthquakes and seismic hazards. Parcels that require access to bridges to evacuate should be prioritized as areas of concern in the event of an earthquake. In the event of a flood hazard, people experiencing homelessness may be camped near the San Diego River and therefore, inundated with floodwaters before first responders can access the area. First responders should focus first on evacuating areas closest to the flood zone. Additionally, first responders may have more difficulty accessing vulnerable populations that need to be evacuated.
For example, people with mobility restrictions (e.g., wheelchairs) would not be able to cross a ladder and would be more difficult to access in a flooded or fire area. Special consideration should be made for accessing people with mobility restrictions (e.g., at hospitals, senior centers, etc.) during flood and fire hazards.
Social vulnerability indicators, including age, disability, and other mobility factors, should be further examined to determine other potential barriers to evacuation besides distance to and capacity of evacuation routes. The City, in coordination with the County of San Diego, continues to plan for the needs of individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs, including but not limited to providing accessible transportation during evacuations, providing public information in multiple languages, language translation services at evacuation and recovery centers, and training first responders on how to interact with persons with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. The City’s EOP details the measures to ensure that preparedness and response strategies serve the needs of the entire population within the City, including vulnerable populations, such as people with physical, programmatic, and communications needs; children; and household pets and service animals.
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Appendix C. Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study
Appendix C. Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study
GEOTECHNICAL/SEISMIC HAZARD
STUDY FOR THE SAFETY ELEMENT
OF THE SANTEE GENERAL PLAN
CITY OF SANTEE
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO,
CALIFORNIA
PREPARED FOR
MARCH 29, 2021
PROJECT NO. G2647-52-01
Project No. G2647-52-01
March 29, 2021
City of Santee
10601 Magnolia Avenue
Santee, California 92071-1266
Attention: Mr. Scott A. Johnson
Subject: GEOTECHNICAL/SEISMIC HAZARD STUDY FOR
THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE SANTEE GENERAL PLAN
CITY OF SANTEE, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA
PURCHASE ORDER 53273
Mr. Johnson:
In accordance with your authorization of our proposal No. LG-20433 dated September 29, 2020, we prepared this Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study for the City of Santee, California. The accompanying report presents the findings of our study for inclusion into the Safety Element of the Santee General Plan.
Should you have questions regarding this report, or if we may be of further service, please contact the undersigned at your convenience
Very truly yours,
GEOCON INCORPORATED
Shawn Foy Weedon, GE 2714
Vice President, Senior Engineer
John Hoobs, CEG 1524
Vice President, Senior Geologist
SFW:JH:arm
(e-mail) Addressee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................. 1
2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK .............................................................................................. 2
3. RECOMMENDED GENERAL PLAN GOALS ............................................................................. 3
4. RECOMMENDED GENERAL PLAN OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES ....................................... 3
4.1 Policy 1 – Awareness............................................................................................................. 4
4.2 Policy 2 – Project Review ...................................................................................................... 4
4.2.1 Application of Data to Site- Specific Land Use Studies ........................................... 4
4.2.2 Review Procedures ................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Policy 3 – Essential Facilities, Hazardous Facilities, and Special Occupancy Structures ..... 6
4.4 Additional Policies................................................................................................................. 7
4.5 Further Study ......................................................................................................................... 7
5. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING CONDITIONS ............................................................................. 7
5.1 General Location ................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Soil and Geologic Conditions ................................................................................................ 8
5.2.1 General...................................................................................................................... 8
5.2.2 Undocumented Fill (Unmapped) .............................................................................. 9
5.2.3 Previously Placed Fill (Unmapped) .......................................................................... 9
5.2.4 Topsoil (Unmapped) ............................................................................................... 10
5.2.5 Colluvium (Qu - Undivided) .................................................................................. 10
5.2.6 Alluvium (Qya and Qu - undivided) and Debris Flows .......................................... 11
5.2.7 Landslide Deposits (Qls) ........................................................................................ 11
5.2.8 Older Alluvium (Qoa) ............................................................................................ 13
5.2.9 Stadium Conglomerate (Tst) and Pomerado Conglomerate (Tp) ........................... 13
5.2.10 Friars Formation (Tfr) ............................................................................................ 13
5.2.11 Granitic Rock (Kgu, Kgh, Kgr, Kt) and Santiago Peak Volcanics (Ksp, Mzu) ..... 15
5.3 Geologic Structure ............................................................................................................... 15
6. GEOLOGIC HAZARDS ............................................................................................................... 16
6.1 Ancient Landslides/Slope Stability ...................................................................................... 16
6.2 Debris Flow Deposits .......................................................................................................... 17
6.3 Groundwater and Seepage ................................................................................................... 18
7. SEISMIC HAZARDS .................................................................................................................... 19
7.1 Local and Regional Faulting and Associated Ground Shaking ........................................... 19
7.1.1 Seismic Design Criteria .......................................................................................... 21
7.2 Soil Liquefaction ................................................................................................................. 23
7.3 Seismically-Induced Settlement .......................................................................................... 24
7.4 Seismically-Induced Landslides and Rock Falls ................................................................. 24
7.5 Tsunamis and Seiches .......................................................................................................... 24
7.6 Inundation Due to Dam Failure ........................................................................................... 25
LIMITATIONS AND UNIFORMITY OF CONDITIONS
MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1, Geologic Map
Figure 2, Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Map
Figure 3, Dam Inundation Map
Figure 4, Characteristic Geology Section of the Santee Area APPENDIX A — TECHNICAL TABLES
Table A-1, Determination of Geotechnical Studies Required Table A-2, Types of Geotechnical Studies
Table A-3, Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Map Legend
Table A-4, Modified Mercalli Intensity (Damage) Scale of 1931 (Abridged) Table A-5, Geologic Time
APPENDIX B — DEFINITION OF TECHNICAL TERMS
APPENDIX C — LIST OF REFERENCES
Geocon Project No. G2647-52-01 March 29, 2021
GEOTECHNICAL/SEISMIC HAZARD STUDY FOR THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF
THE SANTEE GENERAL PLAN
1. INTRODUCTION/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report presents the results of a Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study for the Safety Element of the Santee General Plan. The Area Map presents the general area of the City of Santee.
City of Santee Area Map
We identified three general categories of hazards related to seismicity and geologic conditions within the City of Santee. These hazards could, under certain circumstances, result in property damage and disruption of essential services, bodily injury and loss of life. The three main seismically induced hazards specific to the City of Santee include:
1. Landsliding and Slope Instability: caused by the presence of ancient landslides, bedding plane shears and weak claystone beds within the Friars Formation; ground shaking.
2. Liquefaction: typically occurs within the alluvial deposits of the San Diego River.
Liquefaction can cause settlement, lateral spreading, loss of nearing strength and sand boils.
3. Dam Inundation: failure of the three major dams located upstream of the City could be considered a hazard. We did not identify areas of potential surface fault rupture within the city limits based on published geologic maps.
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This Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study identifies the potential natural and man-made hazards and sets forth goals and policies that will serve the public welfare and reduce the risks associated with these hazards.
The data used in preparing this study are derived mainly from published geologic literature, reports prepared by Geocon Incorporated and other firms for projects within the Santee city limits, and our field experience in the study area and the San Diego County area in general. A complete listing of the published reports and studies utilized is presented in Appendix C, List of References.
2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK
A Safety Element of the General Plan is required by the California Legislature for all cities and counties in the state. The State of California Government Code, Section 65302 (g) states the General Plan shall include the following:
A safety element for the protection of the community from any unreasonable risks associated with the effects of seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami, seiche, and dam failure; slope instability leading to mudslides and landslides; subsidence; liquefaction; and other seismic hazards identified pursuant to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 2690) of Division 2 of the Public Resources Code, and other geologic hazards known to the legislative body; flooding; and wildland and urban fires. The safety element shall include mapping of known seismic and other geologic hazards. It shall also address evacuation routes, military installations, peak-load water supply requirements, and minimum road widths and clearances around structures, as those items relate to identified fire and geologic hazards.
This Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study includes only geologic and seismic hazards. This report does not address flooding, wild land and urban fires or emergency preparedness requirements of the Safety Element. These requirements will be addressed separately by others and will be included along with this report into the Safety Element of the General Plan. This report contains a Geologic Map (Figure 1), Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Map (Figure 2), an Inundation Map (Figure 3) depicting areas that could be affected by failure of local reservoirs and dams and a Characteristic Geology Section of the Santee Area (Figure 4). This report is consistent with the current building code and this report should govern if there is a discrepancy between the two documents. The City of Santee can request additional information from private development submittals, as necessary, to address the geologic requirements of the project.
The scope of our services includes an inventory and review of available literature, development of new geologic hazard and inundation maps, and preparation of this report. The literature reviewed included a report prepared by Geocon Incorporated, entitled Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Study for the Safety Element of the Santee General Plan, dated October 31, 2002.
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3. RECOMMENDED GENERAL PLAN GOALS
The overall Seismic Safety Element Goal is to minimize the loss of life and destruction of property in the City of Santee caused by seismic and geologic hazards. The implementation of information contained in this study, as well as information to be generated in future studies, is discussed herein. It includes a discussion on application of geologic data to land use studies, guidelines for type of reports necessary for projects in areas of different geologic hazards, and recommendations for a peer review procedure.
In addition, properties that are planned for development should address the three seismic hazard categories as follows:
1. Landsliding and Slope Instability: Performing background research and site-specific studies, geologic explorations (e.g. large-diameter drilling), laboratory testing and engineering analyses to properly characterize the existing geologic conditions on the property.
2. Liquefaction: Performing map reviews and site-specific studies, field explorations (e.g. cone penetrometer testing or mud-rotary drilling), laboratory testing and engineering analyses to properly characterize the existing geologic conditions on the property.
3. Dam Inundation: Performing background research to properly identify if dam inundation is a potential hazard to the planned development (e.g. hazard map review).
4. RECOMMENDED GENERAL PLAN OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
The objectives of this report are to identify and evaluate the geotechnical and seismic hazards in the City of Santee, and to establish policies and guidelines to reduce the risks from the three hazard categories discussed herein. These hazards may result in damage to public and private property, disruption of essential services, bodily injury and loss of life. Suggested objectives of the General Plan for each of the three hazard categories could include:
Objective 1 – Awareness. Increase awareness of geotechnical and seismic hazards within the City of Santee in order to avoid or minimize the effects of the hazards during the planning process for new development or redevelopment, and to mitigate the risks for existing developments.
Policy 1. Utilize existing and evolving geologic, geophysical, and engineering knowledge to distinguish and delineate those areas that are particularly susceptible to damage from the three hazard categories.
Objective 2 – Project Review. Assure that the project review process allows for consideration of the seismic and geologic hazard categories as early as possible.
Policy 2. For projects proposed in areas identified within the geologic hazard category area, the geologic/geotechnical consultant shall establish either that the unfavorable conditions do not exist in the specific area in question or that they can be mitigated through proper design and construction.
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Objective 3 – Essential Facilities, Hazardous Facilities, and Special Occupancy Structures. Ensure that essential facilities, hazardous facilities and special occupancy structures are located and designed to be functional in the event of a disaster. These facilities and structures include fire and police stations, hospitals, communication centers, schools, churches and other high occupancy structures.
Policy 3. As shown in Table A-1 (Appendix A), Determination of Geotechnical Studies Required, Group I facilities require a Geotechnical Investigation, a Geologic Investigation, and a Seismic Hazard Study specific to the project. Additionally, the State of California requires reports for public schools, hospitals, and other critical structures to be reviewed by the State Architect.
An analysis of each of the three policies is delineated herein.
4.1 Policy 1 – Awareness
The enclosed Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Map (Figure 2) and Dam Inundation Map (Figure 3) were compiled from published maps from the California Geologic Survey and from the Poway, La Mesa, El Cajon, and San Vicente Quadrangles. In addition, geotechnical reports, in-house and on file at the City of Santee, were integrated into the map.
4.2 Policy 2 – Project Review
The City shall require that the potential geologic hazards be investigated and evaluated at the environmental review stage prior to project approval. Such investigations shall include those identified in Table A-1 (Appendix A), Determination of Geotechnical Studies Required, as may be warranted by results of the Initial Environmental Study. The City of Santee may request additional studies depending on the project location, project type and possible updated information.
4.2.1 Application of Data to Site- Specific Land Use Studies The discussion presented herein is intended to inform the governing agencies as to the level of geologic risk or hazard in a particular area and to provide a basis for design considerations with regard to types of structures and proposed location. The factors requiring consideration are:
The type and/or function of a structure,
The presence of geological hazards at the proposed site, and The level of risk that can be accepted. For instance, in areas of potentially higher risk or where structures that are more critical are planned, special design considerations will be necessary to reduce the level of risk to an acceptable factor.
The intent is not to discourage a particular type of structure or to condemn an area as being impossible to develop. The intent of the recommendations is to provide a basis for evaluating specific site and structure combinations and to discourage those that are unfavorable.
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Table A-1 (Appendix A) indicates the minimum suggested level of geotechnical study for various combinations of site location and type of structure or development. Table A-2 (Appendix A) gives a description of each type of study including Geologic Reconnaissance, Geologic Investigation, Geotechnical Investigation and Seismic Hazard Study. Proposed structures should be evaluated based on the type of structure and proposed building use. Table 4.2.1 presents a summary of the group/risk categories in general accordance with American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), ASCE 7-16, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-16). Required site-specific geologic studies will vary in detail and scope, based upon the type of land use proposed by an applicant and the existing geologic conditions of the subject property to ensure public safety.
TABLE 4.2.1
ASCE 7-16 RISK CATEGORIES
Group /
Risk
Category
Building Use Examples
I Low risk to Human Life at Failure Parks, Open Spaces, Golf Courses, Agricultural Land, Landfills, Barn, Storage Shelter
II Nominal Risk to Human Life at Failure
(Buildings Not Designated as I, III or IV)
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Buildings,
Warehouses, Apartment Buildings, Motels,
Secondary Roadways
III Substantial Risk to Human Life at Failure
Theaters, Lecture Halls, Dining Halls, Schools,
Churches, Prisons, Small Healthcare Facilities,
Infrastructure Plants, Storage for Explosives/Toxins,
Main Roads High-Rise Buildings, Large Structures
Intended for Human Occupancy
IV Essential Facilities
Hazardous Material Facilities, Hospitals, Fire and
Rescue, Emergency Facilities and Shelters, Police
Stations, Power Stations, Aviation Control Facilities,
National Defense, Water Storage
Depending on the site, potential landfill areas may require more investigation than the other types of developments in order to address environmental concerns.
The types of report required for site-specific studies typically include:
1. Geologic Reconnaissance. Normally a desktop study that summarizes the potential geologic hazards on a property based on research on existing geologic map and previously performed geotechnical studies in the vicinity.
2. Geologic Investigation. Includes mapping and exploratory excavations to confirm/identify the existing geologic hazards on a property.
3. Geotechnical Investigation. Provides a summary of the geologic hazards and design recommendations for the proposed development.
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These reports can be preliminary (such as feasibility analyses) or detailed studies including extensive subsurface investigation, laboratory data testing generation, and engineering-geologic analysis.
Consideration should be given to developing Guidelines for Geotechnical Reports that would set technical standards for all reports submitted to the City of Santee. References for developing Guidelines for Geotechnical Reports including:
1. California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, DMG Note 48 Checklist for the Review of Engineering Geology and Seismology Reports for California Public Schools, Hospitals, and Essential Services Buildings, November 2019.
2. City of San Diego, Guidelines for Geotechnical Reports, 2018.
3. 2019 California Building Code, Chapter 18 and 18A, Effective January 1, 2020.
Concerning Seismic Hazard Studies for critical structures, very thorough investigations should be conducted. These studies should be performed in accordance with the following guidelines:
1. California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, DMG Note 42, Earthquake Fault Zones, A Guide for Government Agencies, Property Owners / Developers, and Geoscience Practitioners for Assessing Fault Rupture Hazards in California, Revised 2018.
2. California Department of Conservation, California Geologic Survey, Special Publication 117A, Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California, Revised and Re-adopted September 11, 2008.
These reports are updated from time to time and the latest version should be used at the time of the submittal and review process, as accepted by the City of Santee.
4.2.2 Review Procedures
Consideration should be given to establishing a review procedure for site-specific geotechnical reports submitted to the City with applications for development. The procedure would consist of a review to check that pertinent geologic and geotechnical considerations have been adequately addressed. The reviewer could be geotechnical personnel employed directly by the City or private geotechnical consulting firms under contract to the City specifically in a review capacity to conduct Third Party Reviews.
4.3 Policy 3 – Essential Facilities, Hazardous Facilities, and Special Occupancy Structures
Land uses in Group I and II risk categories identified in Table 4.2.1 are considered low and nominal risk to human life. Group III and IV land uses in Table 4.2.1 require special study because they are in Geocon Project No. G2647-52-01 March 29, 2021
higher-risk categories. Group III includes special occupancy structures including schools; churches; main roads; large commercial and industrial structures; mid- to high-rises; and other high occupancy structures. Group IV includes essential facilities; critical facilities including hospitals, fire and police facilities; power generating stations; communication facilities; and dams. Hazardous facilities include structures housing or using toxic or explosive chemicals or substances.
Group III and IV structures require a Geotechnical Investigation, a Geologic Investigation, and a Seismic Hazard Study even in areas which are generally or moderately stable.
4.4 Additional Policies
Additional land use policies can be made to reduce the risk of geotechnical and seismic hazards on an individual project basis as directed by the City of Santee. These may include limiting development in the floodplain, requiring seismic retrofitting or demolition of older buildings and unreinforced masonry structures, or scaling the development to reduce the amount of risk.
4.5 Further Study
As additional geotechnical studies are conducted in the Santee area, the Seismic Safety Study should be periodically updated and refined as new information concerning the location of landslides, faults and potentially liquefiable areas is obtained.
Review and update of the Zoning Ordinance should be periodically undertaken to ensure that it adequately addresses seismic safety issues, geologic site conditions, and geotechnical mitigation procedures identified in the General Plan.
5. DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING CONDITIONS
5.1 General Location
The City of Santee encompasses approximately 16.6 square miles (10,641 acres) and is located approximately 11 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, 13 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, and 19 miles north of the Mexican border. The majority of the City is located in Township 15 South, Range 1 West of the San Bernardino Meridian. The City of Santee is bound by the City of San Diego on the west, Mission Trails Regional Park on the southwest, and the United States Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on the northwest. The City of El Cajon is located to the south, and unincorporated areas of the County of San Diego are located to the east and north as shown in the Vicinity Map.
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Vicinity Map
5.2 Soil and Geologic Conditions
5.2.1 General
This section describes the geologic and seismic setting of the Santee area including a brief description of the study area and a discussion of the stratigraphy and geologic structure of the geologic units within the area.
The City of Santee lies near the junction of the coastal plain and the Peninsular Ranges geologic provinces of southwestern California. The eastern portion of the coastal plain is located within the west, south and north portions of the city and consist of a series of Tertiary-age formational sedimentary rocks that are deeply incised by canyons and tributaries, including the San Diego River and Sycamore Creek. The San Diego River generally bisects the City of Santee. The drainage area of the San Diego River upstream of West Hills Parkway on the western edge of Santee is approximately 368 square miles. Downstream, the San Diego River flows through Mission Trails and Mission Valley in the City of San Diego and drains into the Pacific Ocean. Much of Santee is located within the gently gradient of the San Diego River Valley. Sycamore Creek is located along the western boundary of the City and flows southward into Santee Lakes and the San Diego River. In the southeastern and eastern portions of the City, the sedimentary rocks and alluvial valley province end abruptly in the foothills of the Peninsular Ranges exposing granitic rock. The formational units are covered by surficial soils as described herein.
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The geologic stratigraphy of Santee consists of several surficial soil types and formational units. The surficial soil deposits consist of man-made soil (undocumented fill and previously placed fill) and naturally occurring soil (topsoil, colluvium, young alluvium/debris flows, landslide deposits, and old alluvial flood-plain deposits). In general, naturally occurring surficial soils are found in drainage areas such as the San Diego River valley and Sycamore Creek and generally overlying undisturbed formational materials.
Formational materials within the City include sedimentary rock units of the Eocene-age Pomerado Conglomerate, Stadium Conglomerate and Friars Formation, and the hard rock units of the Mesozoicage (Cretaceous and Jurassic) granitic and volcanic rocks associated with the Peninsular Ranges. The claystone portions of the Friars Formation are typically weak, fractured, and prone to landsliding.
Each of the surficial soil types and formational units within the City is described herein in order of increasing age. A geologic map showing the lateral extent of the geologic units is included on Figure
1. The Geologic Map, Figure 1, is a combination of two California Geologic Survey (CGS) maps by different authors; therefore, the nomenclature is not always consistent. In addition, no corrections or additions to the published maps shown on Figure 1 was performed, even if more detailed geotechnical field studies show the limits of the geologic units were different or landslides are known to exist.
Geologic units shown on Figure 1 outside the City limits are not included in our discussion. A discussion of the relationships between the units is presented in the Geologic Structure section of this report (Section 5.3). A generalized cross-sectional depiction of the geologic characteristics is presented on Figure 4.
5.2.2 Undocumented Fill (Unmapped)
In many areas of the City, fill soils presumed to be undocumented exist and have been mapped in certain site-specific geotechnical reports. An example of an undocumented fill deposit is located in an undeveloped area located north of the northern terminus of Strathmore Drive in the northwestern corner of the city. These types of deposits typically contain a wide range of soil types including silt, sand, clay, and rock derived from the local geologic formations.
Undocumented fills typically are poorly compacted and often are underlain by potentially compressible topsoil or alluvium. Consequently, where these deposits are located in areas of proposed development, 1they require special evaluation and recommendations. Normally, the undocumented fill materials are removed, moisturized as necessary and placed as compacted fill.
5.2.3 Previously Placed Fill (Unmapped)
The majority of the central and southern portions of the City have been developed. Some of the largest master developments include Black Horse Estates, Cajon Park, Carlton Country Club, Carlton Hills, Geocon Project No. G2647-52-01 March 29, 2021
Carlton Oaks, Castlerock, Dakota Ranch, Deer Park, Fanita Corona, Fanita Rancho, Fanita Terrace, Los Ranchos, Mission Creek, Mission Trials Vista, Mountain Meadow, Rancho Fanita, Riderwood – The Heights, Santana North, Shadow Hill Terrace, Silver Country Estates, Sycamore Hills, Town Center, Vista Monte, Sky Ranch, Woodglen, and Woodside Industrial Park. Developments will typically include infrastructure improvements associated with roadways, parks, underground utilities, pump stations that are provided for the City. Other previously placed fill within city limits is associated with Caltrans controlled roadways not under the purview of the City.
Previously placed fill generally consists of materials that were properly placed and compacted using the testing and observation services of a geotechnical engineering consultant. The fill materials placed during development of these projects generally consist of silty and clayey sand and sandy clay with gravel and cobble mixtures. Prior to grading or constructing additional improvements in previously graded areas, specific geotechnical evaluations and update reports should be performed to address the potential impacts to existing or proposed improvements underlain by these deposits. The existing fill materials should be tested to evaluate its suitability to support proposed structures and improvements.
5.2.4 Topsoil (Unmapped)
In undeveloped areas, naturally developed topsoil blankets the majority of the formational units and range in thickness from approximately 1 to 3 feet. The topsoil is generally characterized as brown to dark brown, silty/clayey, fine to medium sands and sandy clays. Topsoil that overlies the Stadium Conglomerate at higher elevations are generally thinner than overlying the Friars Formation and have a greater percentage of gravel and cobble clasts. Topsoil is typically considered compressible in its natural state and ordinarily require remedial grading in areas planned to receive structural fill and/or settlement sensitive structures. The clayey topsoil characteristically overlying sedimentary units has a “medium” to “high” expansion potential (expansion index of 51 to 130), and, when present, commonly require remedial grading to help mitigate their impacts prior to construction operations.
5.2.5 Colluvium (Qu - Undivided)
Colluvial soils are relatively deep natural deposits of soil that have accumulated on the face and base of natural slopes through the weathering and erosion of exposed materials at higher elevations that accumulate from soil-creep processes. Colluvial deposits are typically thicker in the gentle, low-lying, bottom of slope areas near alluvial drainages. The Geologic Map, Figure 1, indicates areas of undifferentiated Quaternary-age young alluvium and colluvium designated as map symbol Qu within the southern portion of the City. Other areas of unmapped colluvium are present near the base of natural sloping ground across the City. Typically, these materials are deepest in areas underlain by the Friars Formation; however, they are also present, but typically thinner, in areas underlain by Stadium Conglomerate and granitic rock. Colluvial materials can also be present on landslide deposits, particularly in graben zones near the head or upper portions of the slides. The thickness of the Geocon Project No. G2647-52-01 March 29, 2021
colluvium is typically about 5 to 10 feet and locally can be thicker. These deposits generally possess “medium” to “high” expansion potential (expansion index of 51 to 130), are poorly consolidated, and often require remedial grading in areas of planned development.
5.2.6 Alluvium (Qya and Qu - undivided) and Debris Flows Holocene- to late Pleistocene-age young alluvium is typically present in drainage areas, such as the San Diego River channel, Sycamore Creek, and smaller natural tributary drainages. The San Diego River alluvium is relatively deep (locally up to 80 feet), and near the surface, typically consists of clean, medium-grained sands that have historically been mined as a source of concrete sand. Alluvial soils cover a relatively large portion of the City while debris flows have limited exposure. Alluvial soils generally consist of relatively loose/soft, silty/clayey sands and sandy clays with little gravel and cobble and will be saturated below groundwater. However, larger size and higher cobbles and boulder contents are typical within the San Diego River drainage due to higher flows.
Debris flows are present on upper portions of steeper gradient drainages within Stadium Conglomerate and Friars Formation created by weathering, slope creep and saturation of surface materials. Some of the known debris flows are indicated as symbol C2 on Figure 2, Geotechnical/Seismic Hazard Map. It appears that most of the mapped debris flow deposits are located at higher elevations and are generally located north of the San Diego River. The majority of these deposits consists of silty/clayey, sandy gravel and cobble deposits.
The alluvial and debris flow deposits are often poorly consolidated, compressible, and typically require remedial grading or special design considerations. Where development is planned in main drainage channels, such as the San Diego River floodplain, soil improvement techniques and structural reinforcement to remediate the effects of potential liquefaction may be necessary. Within secondary drainage areas, the compressible young alluvium is usually removed and replaced as properly compacted fill. Where groundwater exists within the upper approximately 50 feet, the young alluvium is typically considered to possess a potential for liquefaction and related geologic hazards.
5.2.7 Landslide Deposits (Qls)
Several confirmed landslides (Qls on Figure 1 and D1 on Figure 2) and suspected ancient landslides (D2 on Figure 2) have been identified during this study and previous geotechnical investigations. The presence of inferred landslide deposits is based on topographic evaluation during field reconnaissance, interpretation of aerial photographs and topographic maps, and maps published by the California Geological Survey.
The landslides encountered within the City occur on gentle to moderate sloping ground within the Friars Formation and generally below an elevation of approximately 600 feet above MSL. On the Geocon Project No. G2647-52-01 March 29, 2021
southern portion of the City, landslides generally occur between elevations of 400 and 600 feet above MSL. Characteristic landslide morphology consists of a steep back-scarp; bulging, hummocky, distorted topography; and deflected drainages. Some landslide areas express a more subdued topography suggestive of incipient or older eroded landslide deposits.
The landslide deposits observed are characterized as deep-seated, relatively intact, block type movements or as shallow to deep-seated bedrock slides with a varying degree of slip plane development and slide mass disturbance. The thickness of landslide material is estimated to be approximately 45 to 50 feet; however, can thicken toward the head scarp perhaps as much as 100 feet.