SAFETY 5
Every general plan in California must address
natural and human-made hazards and dangers,
and identify the potential risk of death, injuries,
property damage, and economic and social
dislocation from fires, floods, earthquakes, and
other events. Public safety and emergency
response are top priorities in Stockton, but not just
in relation to widespread events. Concerns over
personal safety weigh heavily on many
neighborhoods, even to the point of discouraging
residents from recreating or traveling along
specific routes or at certain times of day. The focus
of this chapter is on improving public safety and
reducing the risk of hazards. The chapter is
organized around four key goals that represent
the priorities of the Stockton community:
■ Safe Community
■ Hazard Protection
■ Clean Water
■ Clean Air
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
GOALS, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS
PUBLIC SAFETY IS A TOP
COMMUNITY PRIORITY
Violence and crime prevention are major issues
for the Stockton community. As one of the City’s
strategic initiatives to reduce violence and crime
and increase public safety, the Stockton Marshall
Plan, funded by a ¾ -cent sales tax approved by
voters in 20 13, emphasizes data -based targeting
of "focus area" locations and predictive policing
to achieve the objectives of preventing and
stopping violence and building violence -
prevention capacity.
Design of the built environment can also help
prevent crime and increase both the sense and
reality of safety. Research has shown that the most
effective deterrent to criminal activity is the risk of being caught, and design of public spaces that
places more eyes on the street and limits access
points can create safer environments. Strategies
for Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design (CPTED) include locating windows to
overlook sidewalks and parking lots, increasing
pedestrian and bicycle traffic, a nd installing
fencing, landscaping, or lighting to control
access. Well -maintained buildings and property
also signal alert, active owners and can deter
criminal activity.
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) and Fire
Department (SFD) provide essential services to
keep the community safe; police and fire stations
are shown on Figure 5 -1. The SPD provides
professional law enforcement based on a model
of prediction, prevention, pursuit, and
partnerships. This model combines policing and
enforcement strategies with community
involvement and engagement. Through its
commitment to community policing, the SPD has
established a variety of mentorship programs and
training classes that promote proactive
partnership with neighborhood organizations and
business owners to identify and solve issues.
The SFD mission is centered on providing excellent
emergency and non-emergency services through
public education, prevention, and aggressive
suppression and rescue activities. The SFD is an all-
hazard fire department, capable of mitigating all
types of both human-made and natural disasters.
As such, the fire department has the following
specialized teams:
■ Hazardous Materials Team: A California
Office of Emergency Services Type II
Hazardous Materials Team staffed with seven
personnel daily, trained to the Hazardous
Materials Te chnician and Specialist level.
Specialty apparatus and personnel are
assigned to Fire Company 3.
■ Water Rescue Team: Staffed by a team of
four personnel daily, the water rescue team is
capable of both surface and sub -surface
water rescues, helping to protect over 1,000
miles of waterways surrounding the city . The
team has specialty apparatus including
personal watercraft, inflatable boats, and a
water rescue vehicle. The Water Rescue
Team is assigned to Fire Company 6. In
addition to City resources, the California
Office of Emergency Services has also
assigned the C ity a tow vehicle and trailer
(OES Boa t Team #13) for deployment
anywhere in the United States.
GOAL SAF-1: SAFE COMMUNITY
Create a safe and welcoming environment in all areas of the city at all times of day.
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■ Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team:
Staffed by a team of seven personnel daily,
the USAR Team is trained in rope rescue,
confined space rescue, trench rescue, and
building collapse. The team utilizes specialty
apparatus including a Type I heavy rescue,
and a California Office of Emergency
Services Rescue Trailer.
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Figure 5-1
Police and Fire Stations
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To r
einforce their public service model, the SFD
offers a variety of volunteer programs including
the Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT), which provides training to residents and
members of the business community to increase
disaster awareness and emergency response
capability, as well as the Stockton Fire Explorers
and Stockton Fire Auxiliaries . The City and San
Joaquin County coordinate for response in
emergency situations, and SFD offers disaster
preparedness training opportunities through the
CERT program. The risk of wildfire in the Planning
Area is considered relatively low, given the lack of
forest or grassland area that could serve as fuel
sources for a wildfire.
Measure W was approved by voters November 2,
2004. It was originally adopted by Ordinance 038-
04 C.S. , and is codified in Section 3.52 of the
Stockton Municipal Code, entitled Funding for
Police and Fire Protection Services. The ordinance
provides for a ¼- cent (0.25 per cent) transaction
and use tax ( i.e., sales tax), a tax dedicated to
providing for police and fire personnel and
services. The ordinance calls for Program
Guidelines, which were developed and adopted
by the City Council, August 4, 2004. The Program
Guidelines prescribe two methods of ensuring that
tax monies collected are used as specified by the
ordinance. The first method is an independent
audit and the second method is a citizens'
committee. Measure W provides funding for 23
suppression positions within the SFD.
Public safety staffing and response time standards
provide a means to ensure that the community
will remain safe as the city develops. The City
strives to achieve the following public safety
standards:
■ Police Staffing: 1.5 sworn officers per 1,000
residents.
■ Police Response Times: Average law
enforcement response time of 5 minutes or
less for priority one calls (where a threat to
persons may exist).
■ Fire Staffing: 1.23 sworn firefighters per 1,000
residents for a population up to 500,000
people.
■ Fire Response Times:
• 240 seconds or less travel time for the arrival
of the first arriving engine company at a fire
suppression incident.
• For other than high-rise, 480 seconds or less
travel time for the deployment of an initial
full alarm assignment at a fire suppression
incident.
• For high-rise, 610 seconds or less travel time
for the deployment of an initial full alarm
assignment at a fire suppression incident.
POLICY SAF-1.1
Invest in neighborhood safety through
partnerships with the community to help prevent
violence and crime ("community policing").
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Action SAF-1.1A
Promote public safety programs, including
business, neighborhood, and school watches;
child identification and fingerprinting; and other
public education efforts.
Action SAF-1.1B
Maintain and expand community outreach
programs to improve the community’s
understanding of how the criminal justice system
works, foster a positive relationship between
community members and public safety staff ,
provide a venue for open dialog , and promote
transparency in public safety.
Action SAF-1.1C
Engage with schools, non -profit organizations,
and faith- based organizations to recognize and
work with at -risk youth to avert future criminal
activity.
POLICY SAF-1.2
Reduce community violence and crime by
fostering community connectivity, creating a
sense of place, and encouraging social
interactions between residents, employees, and
business owners.
Action SAF-1.2A
Update the City’s Design Guidelines and
Development Code to require new and retrofitted
development to support effective police and fire
protection response and services by using the
following principles of crime prevention through
environmental design (CPTED):
■ Delineate private and public spaces
■ Enhance visibility
■ Control property access
■ Ensure adequate property maintenance
Action SAF-1.2B
Pursue public art projects that match the culture
of the neighborhood to create a sense of
ownership and belonging.
Action SAF-1.2C
Engage residents and business owners in ongoing
discussions about how land use and planning
decisions can help to reduce violence.
Action SAF-1.2D
Incentivize a variety of uses in a neighborhood
that will be active throughout the day and night.
POLICY SAF-1.3
Ensure that City-managed spaces and facilities
support a feeling of safety for users.
Action SAF-1.3A
Design and maintain parks, waterway s, t rail
corridors, and other facilities to meet the
recreational needs of the community, while
maximizing public safety and access concerns ,
such as through the following approaches:
■ Locate facilities to ensure visibility along
public roadways where appropriate.
■ Provide clear access points.
■ Maintain vegetation to maximize visibility and
demonstrate active attention to the site.
■ Use signage to clearly convey site ownership
and rules.
Action SAF-1.3B
Design and improve City streetscapes to create
safer places by maximizing visibility through
installation and maintenance of appropriate
lighting and landscaping.
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WE NEED TO BE PREPARED
FOR EMERGENCIES
The Hazard Protection section contains the City’s
policies and actions to minimize hazardous
situations in and around Stockton. It identifies the
natural and human-caused hazards that affect
existing and future development, describes
present and expected future conditions, and sets
policies and standards for improved public safety.
This includes efforts to minimize physical harm to
the buildings and infrastruct ure in and around
Stockton to reduce damage to local economic
systems, community services, and eco systems.
Much more detail about this section and the issues
it addresseds are included in the Safety Element
Background Report.
CLIMATE CHANGE VULNERABILITY
Changes to the global climate system are
expected to affect future occurrences of natural
hazards in and around Stockton. Many hazards
are projected to become more frequent and
intense in coming years and decades, and —in
some cases, these changes have already begun.
Key effects of climate change that affect
Stockton include increasing temperatures,
changes in precipitation, and sea level rise.
Overall, precipitation levels are expected to
increase only slightly,. However, but there are likely
to be more years of extreme precipitation events
andas well as droughts that last longer and are
more severe.
Under California law, the Safety Element is
required to include a vulnerability assessment that
looks at how people, buildings, infrastructure, and
other key community assets may be affected by
climate change. The City conducted prepared a
Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment in the
winter of 2023 to analyze Stockton’s susceptibility
to climate -related hazards ,. prepared in
accordance with The assessment followed the
most recent available guidance in the California
Adaptation Planning Guide.
The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
found that inland flooding and sea level rise poses
the greatest threat to S tockton, followed by
extreme heat, severe weather, wildfire and
smoke, and human health hazards. The most
vulnerable communities include low -resourced
people of color, outdoor workers, and individuals
experiencing homelessness, althoughbut many
other groups also face an increased risk of harm.
Many local and regional infrastructure networks
are vulnerable, including the electrical grid,
transportation systems, flood control systems, and
water and wastewater infrastructure. Damage to
these systems can create serious public health
hazards and cause widespread economic harm.
The Safety Element includes goals, policies, and
implementation actions to increase community
resilience and help lower vulnerability.
COMMUNITY WARNING SYSTEMS
San Joaquin County has partnered with
Everbridge, a public warning platform, to
implement SJREADY, a community notification
system to alert residents about emergency events
and other important public safety information. This
system allows San Joaquin Count y to provide
Stockton residents with critical information quickly
in a n emergency. There are also several other
emergency alert systems, including notifications
through broadcasters, cable television systems,
GOAL SAF-2: HAZARD PROTECTION
Protect residents and businesses from natural and human-caused hazards.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
and d
igital audio services. Social media and
websites can supplement these alert systems.
EMERGENCY EVACUATION
With advanced warning, evacuation can be
effective in reducing injury and loss of life during a
catastrophic event. The San Joaquin County
Office of Emergency Services has prepared an
evacuation plan for response to flooding due to
failure of a levee or dike. The evacuation plan
includes routes for people evacuating by car, rally
points for people needing assistance evacuating,
and instructions for how to evacuate safely during
a flood.
Figure 5-2 shows potential major evacuation
routes in Stockton, including highways and
surface streets. If there is a need for an
evacuation, emergency responders will direct
community members to the most suitable
evacuation routes givenfor the specific needs
and characteristics of the emergency. This figure
also shows residential parcels that are at least half
a mile from a major roadway and with limited
access points. These parcels may face
evacuation constraints, creating potential
difficulties if there is a need to evacuate.
Stockton has prepared an analysis of potential
evacuation times for different areas of the city
under different emergency situations: a city-wide
evacuation due to a 500 -year flood e vent that
results in levee breaches, a major dam break, and
a smaller-scale flood event exacerbated by sea
level rise. In each scenario, the City identified the
paths out of Stockton ( referred to as or
“evacuation gateways ”) that would remain
viable and would not lead into another hazard
zone, and then estimated t he amount of time it
would take residents to reach one of these
gateways under either normal driving speeds or a
constrained 5 miles per hour.
If normal driving speeds remain feasible, this
modeling shows that most of Stockton could be
evacuated in approximately 30 minutes, although
areas in northwest Stockton could take longer
since the most viable evacuation routes lead
toward the southeast. Under constrained driving
speeds, evacuation times are significantly longer,
particularly for areas in northwest Stockton, such
as the Spanos Park and Bear Creek
neighborhoods. The full results of the evacuation
scenario are presented in the Safety Element
Background Report. The policies included in this
Safety Element help address issues of evacuation
constraints and similar challenges.
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Figure 5-2
Evacuation Routes and Residential Parcels with Evacuation Constraints ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
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POLICY SAF-2.1
Ensure that community members are
adequately prepared for natural disasters and
emergencies through education and training.
Action SAF-2.1A
Develop neighborhood watch and emergency
support groups to be trained and put into action
in the event of an emergency in support of
government staff.
Action SAF-2.1B
Inform the public about the specific risks of living
in flood -prone areas and provide residents with
instructional information on how to take steps to
reduce their exposure to flood damages.
POLICY SAF-2.12
Prepare sufficiently for major events to enable
quick and effective response.
Action SAF-2.12A
Require new development to provide adequate
access for emergency vehicles and evacuation
routes, including by designing roadway systems to
provide multiple escape routes in the event of
flooding or other emergenciesin the event of a
levee failure.
Action SAF-2.1B
Regularly review the City’s evacuation maps and
update as necessary.
Action SAF-2.1C
Regularly share the City’s evacuation maps with
the public and property owners within flood zones.
Action SAF-2.1D
Coordinate with transit and service providers to
identify and advertise ways for individuals with
restricted mobility to evacuate in the event of a
flood or other emergency.
Action SAF-2.12EAB
Formulate, review, periodically update, and make
available to the public emergency management
plans for the safe evacuation of people from
areas subject to environmental hazards to
inundation from levee and dam failure.
Action SAF-2.12FBC
Require new critical facilities, including hospitals,
emergency operations centers, communications
facilities, fire stations, and police stations, to be
located, designed, and constructed to avoid or
mitigate potential risks and ensure functional
operation during flood events . (i.e., a Avoid
locating critical facilities in the 100- year and 200-
year floodplains or, within the 2085 projected sea
level inundation zone , and construct facilities to
be resilient to seismic and geological events, fires,
and explosions.
the 100-year and 200-year floodplains or within the
2050 projected sea level inundation zone as
shown in Figures XX),all
Action SAF-2.12GCD
Continue to work with San Joaquin County, the
County Office of Emergency Services, other cities
in the region, and disaster agencies to coordinate
disaster and emergency preparedness planning.
Action SAF-2.1D
Ensure that emergency alerts and related
notifications are widely distributed in multiple
languages, formats, and media so as to
effectively reach as many people as possible,
including those with limited English proficiency
and with access and functional needs.
POLICY SAF-2.2
Enhance the effectiveness of evacuations in
Stockton.
Action SAF-2.12A
Require new development to provide adequate
access for emergency vehicles and evacuation
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rout
es, including by designing roadway systems to
provide multiple escape routes in the event of
flooding or other emergencies.
Action SAF-2.12B
Regularly review the City’s evacuation maps and
update as necessary.
Action SAF-2.12C
Regularly share the City’s evacuation maps with
the public and property owners within flood zones.
Action SAF-2.12D
Coordinate with transit and service providers to
identify and advertise ways to evacuate in the
event of a flood or other emergency for
individuals with restricted mobility or those who
may need additional assistance to evacuate in
the event of a flood or other emergency.
Action SAF-2.12E
In partnership with the San Joaquin Council of
GovenrmentsGovernments and other local
agencies, retrofit potential evacuation routes to
protect them against floodwaters and other
emergencies, and ensure that they can provide
viable paths out of Stockton.
Action SAF-2.12F
Conduct door-to-door evacuation notifications in
areas with limited access to reliable
communication, particularly in frontline
communities or those that may need the greatest
advanced notification.
Action SAF-2.12G
To the extent feasible givenin emergency
conditions, phase evacuations to minimize
roadway constraints and to allow all residents
sufficient time to leave.
POLICY SAF-2.23
Ensure that community members are
adequately prepared for natural disasters and
emergencies through education and training.
Action SAF-2.23A
Develop neighborhood watch and emergency
support groups to be trained and put into action
in the event of an emergency in support of
government staff in the event of an emergency.
Action SAF-2.23B
Conduct public education campaigns to
increase awareness of and preparation for
climate hazards.
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SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
Seismic and geologic hazards are risks caused by
the movement of the Earth’s surface, or crust.
Seismic hazards are earthquakes and related
hazards. Geologic hazards are other hazards
involving land movements that are not linked to
seismic activity.
There are a few faults in the region capable of
causing a major earthquake in Stockton ,
althoughbut they are all of these faults sit west of
Stockton, closer to the San Francisco Bay. Smaller
faults sit Closer to Stockton are some smaller faults,
including the Stockton Fault whichthat runs east-
west across the city, but it is not known to be
active. Strong shaking from a major earthquake is
rare in Stockton, although there were reports of
significant shaking and localized damage in the
area during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Figure 5-3 shows key fault lines in the region ,
although but not all smaller or less active faults are shown.
If major shaking from an earthquake does occur
in Stockton, there is a risk of significant injury or loss of life from the damage or collapse of buildings
and structures. Older homes in particular are at
risk, asbecause they were constructed prior to the
advent of before modern buildings codes and
may not be seismically retrofitted. There is also a
risk of harm from secondary hazards caused by
the shaking, including urban fires, dam failures,
and toxic chemical releases.
Other geologic hazards that may occur in the
area, includinge landslides, subsidence (the
gradual sinking of land, often due to groundwater
pumping), and soils that can significant expand
and contract depending on their moisture levels.
There are no areas of substantial landslide risk in
Stockton. Other parts of the Delta region have
experienced subsidence, and there is an
increased risk of further subsidence due to water
management practices. Most of Stockton sits on
areas with a moderate risk of soil expa nsion. Any
construction on these soils may require
certainspecific management practices to reduce
potential damage.
POLICY SAF-2.54
Reduce the potential harm from earthquakes
and geologic hazards.
Action SAF-2.54A
Participate in local, county, and State -sponsored
earthquake preparedness programs.
Action SAF-2.54B
Coordinate with the Stockton Fire Department,
Stockton Community Emergency Response Team,
San Joaquin County Office of Emergency
Services, special districts, local utility providers,
and major businesses to ensure effective
preparation, response, and recovery services are
available throughout the community before,
during, and after a seismic event.
Action SAF-2.54C
Assess critical and lifeline facilities for seismic and landslide safety to ensure they remain operational
after a seismic event or landslide.
Action SAF-2.54D
Identify City infrastructure with seismic or landslide
vulnerabilities and pursue funding to conduct
appropriate seismic retrofits.
Action SAF-2.54E
Continue to implement California Building
Standards Code seismic safety standards for
construction of new buildings.
Action SAF-2.54F
Target low- income households, owners and
occupants of structures constructed prior to 1980,
and owners and occupants of unreinforced
masonry buildings with information regarding the
importance of seismic retrofitting , and help
building owners and occupants connect with
providers of these services
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Acti
on SAF-2.54G
Locate new critical and lifeline facilities outside of
landslide susceptibility areas, when feasible. If not
feasible, appropriately site, design, and construct
new critical facilities to be resilient to landslides.
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Figure 5-3
Regional Fault Lines
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FLOODING AND INUNDATION
HAZARDS
Floods are among the costliest natural disasters in
terms of human hardship and economic loss
nationwide, significantly threatening people’s
health and lives and causing substantial damage
to structures, landscapes, and utilities.
Reclamation of Delta land over many years has
reduced available floodplain and increased
flooding potential. Flood risk is therefore one of the
most pressing threats to the Delta area, and
Stockton is one of the areas at highest risk.
Areas at an elevated risk of flooding are generally
divided into 100-, 200-, and 500-year flood zones.
A 100-year flood zone has a 1 percent chance of
experiencing a major flood in any given year, a
200-year flood zone has a 0.5 percent chance,
and a 500 -year flood zone has a 0.2 percent
chance. The majority of the city is in one of these
flood zones, as shown on Figure 5-4, making
flooding a hazard of significant concern for
Stockton. Figure 5-5 shows the land uses in these
affected areas.
Most of the city is protected from flooding by
levees, which are shown on Figure 5-6. However,
many levees in the Delta region were initially
constructed more than a century ago using
rudimentary equipment and nonengineered fill
material excavated from adjacent channels,
sloughs, and marshes. There have been several
improvements to the levee system in and around
Stockton in recent years, including construction of
new flood protection facilities led by the San
Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency. A number of
local, regional, state, and federal agencies play a
role in maintaining levees and other flood
protection facilities in and around Stockton. This
includes the Central Valley Flood Protection
Board, a regulating authority over flood risk
management in the Central Valley and
responsible for adopting the Central Valley Flood
Protection Plan.
Despite these improvements, vulnerabilities
remain in Stockton’s levee system. The Country
Club neighborhood and areas along the San
Joaquin River and its floodplain within the
southern part of the city do not receive adequate
flood protection from levees. Although all
remaining levees provide 100 -year flood
protection, no levees meet the State’s 200 -year
flood protection requirement in the Central Valley
Flood Protection Plan CVFPP. The Delta’s levees
are also threatened by the active seismic zones
west of the Delta, including the San Andreas and
Hayward faults. Even without an earthquake or
flood, Delta levees can fail during high tides or
even on sunny days. In the event of a major levee
break, much of the city would be inundated,
potentially damaging tens of thousands of homes.
Sea Level Rise
Sea level rise is an increase in the ocean’s surface
height relative to the land in a particular location.
It is a gradual process that takes place over years
or decades, affecting communities near
shorelines and low-lying waterways, including the
Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta region. Sea levels
in the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary are likely to
rise at least to 7 to 13 inches by 2050, and
potentially as high as 23 inches (almost two feet).
By the end of the century, sea levels are likely to
rise significantly higher, potentially as much as
about 7 to 10 feet. Figures 5 -7 and 5-8 show the
likelihood that certain areas of Stockton will be
flooded due to sea level rise by 2050 and 2085,
respectively.
There are a range of factors that impact water
levels in the San Joaquin Delta, including inflows
(from local and upstream precipitation), San
Joaquin Delta exports into regional and state
water systems, astronomical tides, atmospheric
effects (pressure and wind), and flow control
operations. Regional and local land subsidence
further complicates local sea level trends for the
Delta region. Decomposition of drained and
converted marsh and peat soils within diked Delta
islands have caused much of the Delta r egion to
lie below sea level—in some places by as much as
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
15 to 20 feet. Continued land subsidence may
increase the relative rate of locally observed sea
level change for the Delta area when comparing
water levels to local land elevations.
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Figure 5-4
Flood Hazard and Levee Protection Zones
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Figure 5-65
Planned Land Uses in Flood Hazard Zones
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Figure 5-6
Flood Protection Levees
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Figure 5-7
2050 Sea Level Rise Projections (Probabilistic)
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Figure 5-8
2085 Sea Level Rise Projections (Probabilistic)
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Dam Failure
A dam failure is an uncontrolled release of water
from a reservoir through a dam because of
structural failures or deficiencies in the dam,
usually associated with intense rainfall or
prolonged flooding. Dam failures can range from
minor to catastrophic. Although dam failures are
very rare, they are not unprecedented. There are
four major causes of dam failures: overtopp ing
(when water levels in a reservoir rise above the top
of the dam), foundation defects in the dam
structure, piping and seepage failure in the dam
or surrounding rock, and conduit and valv e
failure.
Stockton is within the inundation areas of four
major dams: the New Hogan Dam on the
Calaveras River, the New Melones Dam on the
Stanislaus River, the Camanche Dam on the
Mokelumne River, and the Don Pedro Dam across
the Tuolumne River at the Don Pedro Reservoir.
Failure of any of these dams would give residents
about seven hours to evacuate. Other major
regional dams could also affect Stockton , but
would have longer warning times. Figure 5 -89
shows the dam hazard areas in Stockton.
Likelihood of Future Flooding
The city’s proximity to the Delta, relatively low
elevation, and potential to experience heavy
rains mean that flood will continue to pose a
significant hazard to the community. Climate
change is expected to increase the frequency
and intensity of strong storms that are more likely
to create flooding. Sea level rise is expected to
exacerbate this risk by increasing the height of the
water surface in the Delta , including expanding
the parts of the city that are considered prone to
flood. By 2050, an addition 29,550 residents of
Stockton are expected to be exposed to flooding,
and 55,690 by the end of the century.
Increased frequency and severity of Delta
flooding could have significant impacts on some
of Stockton’s most vulnerable residents.
Approximately 65 percent of the Delta’s
population that could be exposed to the 100-year
flood by 2050 reside in areas with high
concentrations of socially vulnerable residents.
Increases in damaging flood events will cause
greater property damage, public health and
safety concerns, displacement, and loss of life.
As sea levels rise and heavy precipitation
becomes more common, the likelihood of levee
overtopping will increase. Levee breaks could
cause large amounts of salt water from the Bay to
enter the Delta and would have an adverse effect
on Delta water quality and water system
operations. Salt water intrusion could take months
to dissipate, depending on the severity of the
levee break and the degree of intrusion.
Of the ecosystems currently protected by levees
in the Delta region, 73 percent are at risk of
flooding due to levee overtopping resulting from
a combination of sea level rise and storm events.
By 2085, rising sea levels are expected to cause all
critical remaining tidal wetland ecosystems in the
Delta to transition to different plant communities
or drown completely.
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Figure 5-9
Dam Inundation
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
POLI
CY SAF-2.35
Protect the community from potential flood
events.
Action SAF-2.3A5A
Coordinate with appropriate State, federal, and
local flood control agencies to develop a flood
protection plan for the levee systems protecting
the city that:
■ Identifies the levees protecting the city and
the entities responsible for the operation and
maintenance of the levees.;
■ Determines the flood levels in the waterways
and the level of protection offered by the
existing levees along the waterways.;
■ Identifies a long -term plan to upgrade the
system as necessary to provide at least a 100-
year level of flood protection to the city, and
200-year level of flood protection , where
feasible.;
■ Encourages multi -purpose flood
management projects that, where feasible,
incorporate recreation, resource
conservation, preservation of natural riparian
habitat, and scenic values of the city's
streams, creeks, and lakes.; and
■ Includes provisions for updates to reflect
future State or federally mandated levels of
flood protection.
Action SAF-2.3B5B
Collaborate with State and local flood
management agencies and other interested
parties to develop funding mechanisms to
finance the local share of flood management
responsibilities and maintain cooperative working
relationships with appropriate agencies to
minimize flood hazards and improve safety.
Action SAF-2.3C5C
Require n ew public and private waterfront
development to be oriented to waterways and
provide setbacks and easements along levees
and channels to provide space for levee
widening, flood fighting, roadway and
maintenance access, open space and trail
amenities, and appropriate landscaping.
Action SAF-2.35D
For any critical public facility sited within the 100 - year floodplains (as shown ion Figure 5-4) or within
theareas at risk of inundation from sea level rise by
2085 projected sea level(as shown ion Figure 5-8)
inundation zone as shown in Figures XX, , the
responsible agency or department sh all
implement site or building flood protection
improvement methods to ensure operability and
minimize damage.
Action SAF-2.3D
Prepare and maintain a map of evacuation routes
for major flood events.
Action SAF-2.35FE
Work with residents experiencing insecure
housing, with low incomes, with access and
functional needs, and/or living in mapped flood
hazard zones and levee protection areas (as
identified ion Figure XX5-4) to connect with local,
regional, state, and federal initiatives to improve
housing resiliency.
Action SAF-2.3G5F
Work with residents experiencing insecure
housing, with low incomes, with access and
functional needs, and/or living in mapped flood
hazard zones and levee protection areas (as
identified ion Figure XX5-4) to insure their property
and receive recovery resources in the aftermath
of a flood.
Action SAF-2.3H5G
Work with residents experiencing insecure
housing, with low incomes, with access and
functional needs, and/or living in mapped flood
hazard zones (as identified in Figure XX5-4 ) to
obtain relocation assistance and/or obtain
affordable housing outside of flood hazard zones.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
.
Identify
POLICY SAF-2.46
Minimize risks to the community from flooding
through appropriate siting and protection of
structures and occupants.
Action SAF-2.4A6A
Regulate new urban development in
accordance with State requirements for 200-year
level of flood protection and federal requirements
for 100-year level of flood protection.
Action SAF-2.46B
Require flood -proofing of new and expanded
buildings and structures in the mapped flood
hazard zones and levee protection areas shown
ion Figure XX5-4. Flood-proofing methods will be
determined on a project -by-project basis, and
may include, but not be limited to:
(a) Anchoring to prevent flotation, collapse, or
lateral movement.
(b) Using flood-resistant construction materials.
(c) Employing construction methods and
practices that minimize flood damage.
(d) Elevating building pads and habitable
building floors above the base flood elevation plus
required freeboard.
(e) Providing adequate venting to allow for
equalization of hydrostatic flood forces.
Action SAF-2.4C6CB
Investigate and implement when feasible
mitigation measures that offer 200 -year level of
flood protection for existing urban development in
flood-prone areas.
Action SAF-2.4D6
DC
Preserve floodways and floodplains for non-urban
uses to maintain existing flood carrying
capacities, except when mitigated in
conformance with the City's floodplain
management program.
Action SAF-2.4E6 ED
Consider the best available flood and sea -level
hazard information and mapping from regional,
State, and federal agencies to inform land use
and public facilities investment decisions.
OTHER HAZARDS OF CONCERN
Drought
A drought is an extended period when
precipitation levels are well below normal andbut
is a normal part of the climate cycle. Drought may
cause losses to agriculture; affect domestic water
supply, energy production, public health, and
wildlife; or contribute to wildfire. Like most of
California and the western United States, Stockton
chronically experiences drought cycles.
Drought impacts the city’s water supply ,
whichand, in severe instances, ultimately makes
less water available for people, businesses, and
natural systems. Both the City of S tockton
Municipal Utilities District (COSMUD) and the
California Water Service Company Stockton
District (Cal Water) supply water to different parts
of the community. Stockton’s primary water
sources during base years are surface water from
several local and regional rivers (including the
Calaveras, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Rivers)
and the East San Joaquin Subbasin of the San
Joaquin Valley Groundwater Basin. As of August
2023, Stockton and the location of its water
sources were not in drought conditions, although
San Joaquin County was in a state of extreme to
exceptional drought—(the highest level of
drought recognized by the US Drought Monitor) —
as recently as December 2022. COSMUDThe City
Utilities District and Cal California Water both
project that they will have an adequate water
supply through 2045 for normal year s, single dry
years, and multiple dry year s water supply
conditions.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Alt
hough droughts are a regular featu re of
California’s climate, scientists expect that climate
change will lead to more frequent and intense
droughts statewide. Climate change is expected
to cause more precipitation to fall as rain instead
of snow, and the snow that does fall will melt
earlier, reducing the Sierra Nevada spring
snowpack by as much as 70 to 90 percent. How
much snowpack will be lost depends in part on
future precipitation patterns, the projections for
which remain uncertain. However, even under
wetter climate projections, the loss of snowpack
would pose potential water shortage issues and
exacerbate drought conditions.
Increasing frequency and severity of droughts will
likely have negative impacts on Delta agriculture.
Drought, —especially in combination with other
climate change stressors and hazards, such as
extreme heat , —may reduce crop productivity.
Reductions in agricultural productivity would
disproportionately impact low -income
agricultural laborers, who would be more likely to
lose their jobs first and who tend to have fewer
resources to cope with drought and other climate
change impacts. Drought and other climate
change impacts may exacerbate existing water
affordability issues. Increased frequency of
droughts may also contribute to harmful algal
blooms and degrade raw water quality, requiring
drinking water treatment system upgrades.
Fire Hazards
Fire hazards include both wildfires and urban fires.
Though the city is vulnerable to both kinds of fire
threats, the climatic and vegetative conditions in
Stockton are generally not conducive to the
spread or development of wildfires. Fuel, weather,
and topography are primary factors that affectin
how wildland fires spread. Wildfire risk in San
Joaquin County is generally low. Fire protection in
Stockton is provided by the SFD, as described in
Section 2.1, Public Safety.
CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and
Fire Protection) establishes fire hazard severity
zones (FHSZ), designating each as moderate,
high, or very high severity. There are no FHSZs in or
immediately next to the city. However, there are
high and very high FHSZs in neighboring counties,
and smoke from fires in these areas could impact
local air quality.
The wildland -urban interface (WUI) is an area
where buildings and infrastructure (e.g., cell
towers, schools, water supply facilities) mix with
areas of flammable wildland vegetation. There
are two types of WUI: interface (areas where
housing and other development borders wildland
areas) and intermix (where development is
mingled and interspersed with wildland areas).
Additionally, the , influence zone refers to an area
made up of wildfire-susceptible vegetation up to
1.5 miles from the WUI, and the threat zone is an
additional strip of vegetation modified to reduce
flame heights and radiant heat. Figure 5-10 shows
the WUI zones around Stockton.
Although the wildfire risk in Stockton is low, there is a risk of structural fires. Structural fires are often due to faulty wiring or mechanical equipment and
combustible construction materials. The absence
of fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems are often
conditions that exacerbate the damages
associated with a structural fire. Structural fires are largely from human accidents, although some
fires may be started deliberately (arson). Older
buildings that lack modern fire safety features
may face greater risk of damage from fires.
Greater frequency of regional fires can create
recurrent air quality degradation, leading to
respiratory health effects. Wildfire smoke consists
of a mix of gases and fine particulate matter from
burning vegetation and materials. The pollutant of
most concern from wildfire smoke is fine
particulate matter (PM 2.5). PM 2.5 from wildfire
smoke is damaging to human health due to its
ability to deeply penetrate lung tissue and affect
the heart and circulatory system. Although wildfire
smoke presents a health risk to everyone, sensitive
groups may experience more severe acute and
chronic symptoms from exposure to wildfire
smoke, such as children, older adults, people with
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
chronic respiratory or cardiovascular disease, or
people experiencing low socioeconomic status.
Air quality in Stockton has been impacted by
major recent wildfires, most notably the Lightning
Complex Fire of 2020, Creek Fire of 2020, and
Camp Fire of 2018. All of these fires resulted in
elevated levels of particulate matter in San
Joaquin County for several days.
Warmer weather, reduced snowpack, and earlier
snowmelt attributable to climate change are
expected to increase wildfire risk due to increased
fuel and ignition risks. Although Stockton itself
faces a low wildfire risk, wildfire risk is generally
projected to increase across Northern California,
and wildfires are expected to become larger and
harder to control, so Stockton will likely continue to
be subject to wildfire smoke. Regional wildfires
may also interfere with the city’s power supply via
Public Safety Power Shutoff events or damage to
electricity transmission infrastructure.
Agricultural and Ecosystem Pests
Though there is limited agricultural land and open
space within Stockton itself, San Joaquin County
contains significant farmland, including prime
farmland and farmland of statewide importance,
as well as extensive wetlands and levee systems.
Therefore, the county is vulnerable to agricultural
and ecosystem pests. Pests that have been of
particular concern in San Joaquin County
recently include nutria and Russian knapweed.
Agricultural and ecosystem pests will likely
maintain a presence in San Joaquin County,
though their activity can be at least partially
managed via the County’s pest-control initiatives.
Pest activity is likely to increase because higher
temperatures caused by global warming allow
insects to reproduce more rapidly and increase
the activity window for pests and diseases. Row
crops can be affected by fungal pathogens and
invasive disease vectors as temperatures continue
to rise, affecting the quality and viability of crops.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
FIGURE 5-10
Wildland-Urban Interface Zones
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Extreme Heat
California’s Cal-Adapt database of climate
change effects defines extreme heat as
temperatures that are hotter than 98 percent of
the historical high temperatures for the area, as
measured between April and October of 1961 to
1990. Days that reach this level are called extreme
heat days. In Stockton, the extreme heat threshold
is 102.3°F. An event with five extreme heat days in
a row is called a heat wave. Extreme heat also
takes the form of warm nights when temperatures
do not cool down overnight to provide
community members with relief from the hot days.
This can also cause higher electricity use during
the nighttime hours as community residents use
more energy to cool homes. In Stockton, a warm
night occurs when the temperature stays above
66°F.
Health impacts are the primary concern with this
hazard, though economic impacts are also an
issue. People exposed to extreme heat can suffer
heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat
exhaustion, and (most severely) heat stroke. The
elderly, individuals below the poverty level,
outdoor workers, immigrant communities, and
those experiencing homelessness are among the
most vulnerable to extreme heat. Very high
temperatures can harm plants, animals, and
natural ecosystems that are not well adapted to
them. The heat causes more demand for
electricity (usually to run air conditioning units) ,
and, in combination with the stress on the power
lines, may lead to brownouts and blackouts.
Extreme heat tends to occur on an annual basis
and is likely to continue occurring annually.
According to California’s climate change
projections, the number of extreme heat days in
Stockton is expected to rise from a historical
annual average of 4 to 23 by the middle of the
century (2035 to 2064) and 44 by the end of the
century (2070 to 2099), with occasional years
experiencing many more extreme heat days. The
number of warm nights in Stockton is projected to
increase from an annual average of 4 historica lly
to 27 by midcentury and 66 by the end of the
century.
Severe Weather
Severe weather is generally any destructive
weather event, but usually occurs in Stockton as
strong storms andor heavy fog. Severe weather is
usually caused by intense storm systems, although
strong winds can occur without a storm. The types
of dangers posed by severe weather vary widely
and may include injuries or deaths, damage to
buildings and structures, fallen trees, roads and
railways blocked by debris, and fires sparked by
lightning. Severe weather can produce high winds
and lightning that can damage structures and
cause power outages. Lightning from these storms
can ignite structure fires that can cause damage
to buildings and endanger people. Objects such
as vehicles, unprotected structures (e.g., bus
stops, car ports), fences, telephone poles, or trees
can also be struck directly by lightning, which may
result in an explosion or fire.
Severe weather is an annual occurrence in San
Joaquin County. However, actual damage
associated with the primary effects of severe
weather have been limited. Climate change is
expected to cause an increase in intense rainfall
and strong storm systems. This means that
Stockton could see more intense weather resulting
from these storms in the coming years and
decades, although such an increase may not
affect all forms of severe weather. Though
average annual rainfall may increase only slightly,
climate change is expected to cause an increase
in the number of years with intense levels of
precipitation. Heavy rainfall can increase the
frequency and severity of other hazards, including
flooding. The incidence of winter fog has
decreased dramatically over the past three
decades, due in part to declines in winter chill
caused by climate change.
Human Health Hazards
Human health hazards are bacteria, viruses,
parasites, and other organisms that are spread by
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
insects, animals, and other pest organisms and
can cause diseases and illness in people. Some of
these diseases may cause only mild
inconvenience, but others are potentially life
threatening. These diseases can be and often are
carried by animals, such as mice and rats, ticks,
and mosquitos. Warmer temperatures and high
levels of precipitation can lead to increased
populations of disease-carrying animals, creating
a greater risk of disease and increased rates of
infection. Populations most vulnerable to hum an
health hazards are those who spend a
disproportionate amount of time outdoors, those
with fragile immune systems or existing illnesses,
and those who may live in sub -standard housing
or not have access to health insurance and
medical care.
Human health hazards of various scales and levels
of severity are likely to continue to occur in the
future. Climate change is projected to contribute
to increases in average temperature and
changes in precipitation patterns that favor large
precipitation events and associated flooding.
These changes in climatic changes promote the
reproduction and speed the growth of many pest
species, leading to higher populations of potential
disease vectors. Overall risk of human health
hazards is thus expected to increase.
POLICY SAF-2.7CH-5.21
Accommodate a changing climate through
adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency planning
and projects.
Action SAF-2.7CH- 5.21A
Create a ci ty-specific Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan and incorporate this plan into the Safety
Element. Begin creation of the plan within one
year.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2B
Conduct regular updates to the Upon the next
revision of the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan,
conduct a comprehensive climate change
vulnerability assessment and associated to inform
the development of adaptation and resilience
policies and strategies, and incorporate them into
the Safety Element, in accordance with SB 379.
Action CH-5.1B
Maintain and implement the City of Stockton
Climate Action Plan (CAP) and update the CAP
to include the following:
■ Updated communitywide GHG emissions
inventory;
■ 2030 GHG emissions reduction target,
consistent with SB 32;
■ Estimated 2030 GHG emissions reduction
benefits of State programs;
■ Summary of the City’s progress toward the
2020 local GHG emissions reduction target;
■ New and/or revised GHG reduction
strategies that, when quantified, achieve the
2030 reduction target and continue emission
reductions beyond 2030; and
■ New or updated implementation plan for the
CAP.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.21C
Continue to participate in regional climate
change vulnerability assessment , adaptation
planning, and resilience efforts. Accommodate a
changing climate through adaptation and
resiliency planning and projects , including
through pursuit of grant funding for
implementation of resilience efforts.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2D
Continue to identify opportunities to expand the
City’s organization capacity to respond to the
effects of climate change.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2E
Establish a network of equitably located
community resilience centers that would offer
refuge and backup power for community
members in the event of a large -scale disaster or
extreme heat event , including as a last resort
shelter-in-place location.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Acti
on SAF-2.7CH- 5.2F
Install backup power and water resources at
critical C ity facilities, emergency shelters, and
cooling centers in case of power and water
outages.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2G
Work with regional and local partners to increase
the number of solar and battery systems installed
at homes, businesses, and City facilities.
communityAction SAF-2.7 CH-5.2H
Coordinate with transit providers to identify and
advertise ways for individuals with restricted
mobility to reach resilience centers, cooling
centers, and alternate care sites.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2I
Conduct targeted public outreach and
education about cooling strategies for those
populations sensitive to higher temperatures,
especially seniors and those who work outdoors,
lack permanent shelter, and lack air conditioning.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2J
Partner with local community-based organizations
to pursue grant funding opportunities to provide
financial assistance or reduced costs for energy
retrofits, cooling, ventilation, or other adaptation
measures to help protect low-income households,
senior c itizens, and other vulnerable persons
against extreme heat events.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2K
DeployPlant trees and install ation more of green
space in order to to provide shade and combat
high heat, with a focus on neighborhoods that are
most vulnerable to heat.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2L
Target residents living within the wildland urban
interface (as shown ion Figure XX 5-10) with
information about the dangers of living in a
wildfire hazard area and strategies for reducing
wildfire risk.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2M
Target residents living within the wildland -urban
interface (as shown ion Figure XX) with information
about the dangers of living in a wildfire hazard
area and strategies for reducing wildfire risk.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2NM
Work with existing property owners within wildland-
urban interface areas to establish and maintain
fire breaks and defensible space, vegetation
clearance, emergency access roads, water
supply and fire flow, signage, and firefighting
infrastructure that meets current adopted State,
County, or community fire safety standards.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2ON
Discourage new development within the
wildland-urban interface (as shown ion Figure XX5-
10). If new development does occur within these
areas, require any construction of buildings or
infrastructure to incorporate fire -safe design
features that meet the State Fire Safe Regulations
and Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and
Structures Regulation for road ingress and egress,
fire equipment access, and adequate water
supply.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2PO
Expand and maintain the City’s network of public
drinking fountains and water dispensers.
Action SAF-2.7CH-5.2QP
Coordinate with local medical providers and
Public Health Services of San Joaquin County to
ensure low-cost medical and emergency medical
services are available to all residents in the city.
Action SAF-2.7CH-52RQ
Work with San Joaquin County and the San
Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control
District to monitor the status of mosquitoes and
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
agricultural and ecosystem pests and contribute
resources to pest management initiatives as
feasible.
Earthquakes are also among the threats to levee
and dam stability. According to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), most
of the levees in the Planning Area meet minimum
standards, but levees are subject to structural
failure, erosion, and damag e from vegetation
and rodents, as well as earthquakes and floods
(see next section). Given these possible risks, the
California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
provides Levee Flood Protection Zone (LFPZ) maps
to increase awareness of flood risks from l evee
failure. These zones, shown in Figure 5 -2, estimate
the maximum area that may be flooded from
failure of a State or federal levee.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
As s
hown in Figure 5- 3, S tockton is also within the
inundation areas of three major dams:
■ New Hogan Dam on the Calaveras River
■ New Melones Dam on the Stanislaus River
■ Camanche Dam on the Mokelumne River
Failure of any of these dams (each is about 30
miles from the city) would give residents about 7
hours to evacuate. Other major regional dams
could also affect Stockton, but would have longer
lead times. The California Division of Safety of
Dams (DSOD) inspects each dam on an annual
basis to ensure the dam is safe and performing as
intended. The dams have also been assessed for
seismic stability and are projected to withstand
the maximum credible earthquake.
POLICY SAF-2.1
Ensure that community members are
adequately prepared for natural disasters and
emergencies through education and training.
Action SAF-2.1A
Develop neighborhood watch and emergency
support groups to be trained and put into action
in the event of an emergency in support of
government staff.
Action SAF-2.1B
Inform the public about the specific risks of living
in flood -prone areas, and provide residents
instructional information on how to take steps to
reduce their exposure to flood damages.
POLICY SAF-2.2
Prepare sufficiently for major events to enable
quick and effective response.
Action SAF-2.2A
Require new development to provide adequate
access for emergency vehicles and evacuation
routes, including by designing roadway systems to
provide multiple escape routes in the event of a
levee failure.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-2
Levee Flood Protection Zones
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-3
Dam Inundation Areas
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Action SAF-2.2B
Formulate, review, periodically update, and make
available to the public emergency management
plans for the safe evacuation of people from
areas subject to inundation from levee and dam
failure.
Action SAF-2.2C
Require new critical facilities, including hospitals,
emergency operations centers, communications
facilities, fire stations, and police stations, to be
located, designed, and constructed to avoid or
mitigate potential risks and ensure functional
operation during flood events (i.e., avoid locating
in the 100-year and 200-year floodplains), seismic
and geological events, fires, and explosions.
Action SAF-2.2D
Continue to work with San Joaquin County, the
County Office of Emergency Services, other cities
in the region, and disaster agencies to coordinate
disaster and emergency preparedness planning.
PARTS OF STOCKTON ARE
AT RISK FROM FLOODING
Reclamation of Delta land over many years has
reduced available floodplain and increased
flooding potential, especially along the western
boundary of the community. Land along local
waterways is protected by levees, but
earthquakes or overtopping due to major storm s
can cause levees to fail. Stockton has historically
faced flooding, especially during the 1950’s:
■ 1950: Almost 14,000 acres of the Delta
flooded, washing out the Southern Pacific
Railroad tracks and State Highway 50 west of
Stockton.
■ 1955 -1956: Extensive flooding occurred
along the eastern tributaries of the San
Joaquin River.
■ 1958: Approximately 250,000 acres from
Stockton to Fresno along the San Joaquin
River flooded, in part due to prolonged and
unusually voluminous snowmelt from the
Sierra Nevada.
Since 1998, flood risks have been reduced
significantly through the Locally Constructed
Flood Control Project by the San Joaquin Area
Flood Control Agency, which includes flood
protection facilities on Bear Creek, Little Bear
Creek, Pixley Slough, Upper Mosher Creek, the
Mosher Diversion, Mosher Slough, the Calaveras
River, the Stockton Diverting Canal, and Mormon
Slough. Figure 5 -4 shows levees in the Stockton
area and the boundaries of the local reclamation
districts that are responsible for maintaining levees
and other flood protection facilities.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency
maps areas at risk of inundation from a 100 -year
flood, which has a 1 percent chance of occurring
in any year, and a 500 -year flood, where the risk
of flooding is 0.2 percent annually, along with
areas protected by levees, as shown in Figure 5-5.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
In Fig
ure 5-6, t hese flood hazard zones are overlaid
on the General Plan land use map to illustrate how
planned land uses are affected by flood risk. State
Senate Bill 5, adopted in 2007, also requires
Central Valley cities to protect development from
a 20 0-year flood, which has a 0.5 percent
probability of occurring in any year. Areas that
would be subject to flooding levels of 3 feet or
more during a 200-year storm are shown on Figure
5-7. The 2012 Central Valley Flood Protection Plan
provides additional guidance for regional flood
protection, including suggestions for
improvements to levees along the San Joaquin
River and tri butary channels in and around
Stockton that are part of the State Plan of Flood
Control Facilities, which are shown in Figure 5 -8.
Areas already protected by those facilities are
shown in Figure 5 -9, and Figure 5 -10 shows
waterway and land areas that can help
accommodate flood and storm waters.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-4
Levees and Reclamation Districts
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-5 FEMA Flood Zones
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
POLICY SAF-2.3
Protect the community from potential flood
events.
Action SAF-2.3A
Coordinate with appropriate State, federal, and
local flood control agencies to develop a flood
protection plan for the levee systems protecting
the city that:
■ Identifies the levees protecting the city and
the entities responsible for the operation and
maintenance of the levees;
■ Determines the flood levels in the waterways
and the level of protection offered by the
existing levees along the waterways;
■ Identifies a long -term plan to upgrade the
system as necessary to provide at least a 100-
year level of flood protection to the city, and
200-year level of flood protection, where
feasible;
■ Encourages multi -purpose flood
management projects that, where feasible,
incorporate recreation, resource
conservation, preservation of natural riparian
habitat, and scenic values of the city's
streams, creeks, and lakes; and
■ Includes provisions for updates to reflect
future State or federally mandated levels of
flood protection.
Action SAF-2.3B
Collaborate with State and local flood
management agencies and other interested
parties to develop funding mechanisms to
finance the local share of flood management
responsibilities, and maintain cooperative working
relationships with appropriate agencies to
minimize flood hazards and improve safety.
Action SAF-2.3C
Require n ew public and private waterfront
development to be oriented to waterways and
provide setbacks and easements along levees
and channels to provide space for levee
widening, flood fighting, roadway and
maintenance access, open space and trail
amenities, and appropriate landscaping.
Action SAF-2.3D
Prepare and maintain a map of evacuation
routes for major flood events.
POLICY SAF-2.4
Minimize risks to the community from flooding
through appropriate siting and protection of
structures and occupants.
Action SAF-2.4A
Regulate new urban development in
accordance with State requirements for 200-year
level of flood protection and federal requirements
for 100-year level of flood protection.
Action SAF-2.4B
Investigate and implement when feasible
mitigation measures that offer 200 -year level of
flood protection for existing urban development in
flood-prone areas.
Action SAF-2.4C
Preserve floodways and floodplains for non-urban
uses to maintain existing flood carrying capacities,
except when mitigated in conformance with the
City's floodplain management program.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Acti
on SAF-2.4D
Consider the best available flood hazard
information and mapping from regional, State,
and federal agencies to inform land use and
public facilities investment decisions.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-6
Planned Land Uses in Flood Hazard Zones
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
This
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ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-7
200-Year Storm Flood Depths
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-8
State Plan of Flood Control Facilities in the Stockton Area ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-9
Areas Protected by State Plan of Flood Control Facilities ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-10
Floodwater Accommodations
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
NOISE CAN DETRACT
FROM QUALITY OF LIFE
Noise can affect the way people live and work .
Some types of noise are only short -term irritants,
like the pounding of a jackhammer or the whine
of a leaf blower . These mobile sources can
generally be controlled through the City’s noise
ordinance, but fixed sources such as roads, the
railroad, and the airport instead require the City to
ensure that land uses, especially "sensitive
receptors" like homes and schools, do not bring
people too close to noise , unless noise reduction
measures like thicker walls and windows are
determined to be acceptable.
State law requires general plans to use the
Commu
nity Noise Equivalent Level (CNEL) or the
Day/Night Average Sound Level (Ldn) to describe
the community noise environment (in decibels,
"dBA") and its effects on the population. The City
of Stockton land use compatibility standards for
noise are shown in Table 5-1, and the future 2040
roadway noise conditions are depicted
graphically on Figure 5-11.
POLICY SAF-2.58
Protect the community from health hazards and
annoyance associated with excessive noise
levels.
Action SAF-2.5A8A
Prohibit new commercial, industrial, or other noise-
generating land uses adjacent to existing sensitive
noise receptors such as residential uses, schools,
health care facilities, libraries, and churches if
noise levels are expected to exceed 70 dBA
Community Noise Equivalent (CNEL) (decibels on
A-weighted scale CNEL) when measured at the
property line of the noise sensitive land use.
Action SAF-2.5B8B
Require projects that would locate noise sensitive
land uses where the projected ambient noise level
is greater than the " normally acceptable " noise
level indicated on Table 5 -1 to provide an
acoustical analysis that shall:
■ Be the responsibility of the applicant;
■ Be prepared by a qualified person
experienced in the fields of environmental
noise assessment and architectural
acoustics;
■ Include representative noise level
measurements with sufficient sampling
periods and locations to adequately
describe local conditions;
■ Estimate existing and projected (20 -year)
noise levels in terms of L dn/CNEL and
compare the levels to the adopted noise
policies and actions in this General Plan;
■ Recommend appropriate mitigation to
achieve compatibility with the adopted
noise policies and standards;
■ Where the noise source in question consists of
intermittent single events, address the effects
of maximum noise levels in sleeping rooms in
terms of possible sleep disturbance;
■ Estimate noise exposure after the prescribed
mitigation measures have been
implemented;
■ If the project does not comply with the
adopted standards and policies of this
General Plan, provide acoustical information
for a statement of overriding considerations
for the project; and
■ Describe a post-project assessment program,
which could be used to evaluate the
effectiveness of the proposed mitigation
measures.
Action SAF-2.5C8C
Require noise produced by commercial uses to
not exceed 75 dB L
dn/CNEL at the nearest
property line.
Action SAF-2.5D8D
Grant e xceptions to the noise standards for
commercial and industrial uses only if a recorded
noise easement is conveyed by the affected
property owners.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Action SAF-2.5E8E
Require all new habitable structures to be set
back from railroad tracks to protect residents from
noise, vibration, and safety impacts.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Table 5-1: Maximum Allowable Noise Exposure by Land Use
LAND USE TYPE
NOISE LEVEL, LDN (DBA)
0-55 56-60 61-65 66-70 71-75 75-80 >81
Residential
Urban Residential Infill
Hotels, Motels
Schools, Libraries, Churches,
Hospitals, Extended Care
Facilities
Auditoriums, Concert Halls,
Amphitheaters
Sports Arenas, Outdoor
Spectator Sports
Playgrounds, Neighborhood
Parks
Golf Courses, Riding Stables,
Water Recreation, Cemeteries
Office Buildings, Business
Commercial and Professional
Mining, Industrial,
Manufacturing, Utilities,
Agriculture
Normally Acceptable. Specified land use is satisfactory based on the assumption that any buildings involved are of normal, conventional construction, without any special noise insulation requirements.
Conditionally Acceptable. New construction or development should be undertaken only after a detailed analysis of the noise reduction requirements is made and needed insulation features have been included in the design.
Unacceptable. New construction or development should not be undertaken.
Notes: If existing noise standards are currently exceeded, a proposed project shall not incrementally increase noise levels by more than 3 dBA. Urban residential infill applies to residential uses in the Greater Downtown.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Figure 5-11
2040 Roadway Noise Contours
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
NEED TO BE CONTROLLED
State and federal laws regulate the production,
storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous
materials and waste, including industrial wastes,
pesticides, radioactive substances, asbestos, and
combustible fuels. Hazardous materials commonly
used in the hom e include garden pesticides,
waste oil, paint supplies, car batteries, and pool
chemicals. Limited quantities of household
hazardous waste may be transported to and
dropped off at a recycling center. State and
federal rules require inventory and reporting for
businesses that store more than 55 gallons of
hazardous liquids, 500 pounds of solids, or 200
cubic feet of compressed gases, including plans
for incident prevention and emergency response
and evacuation.
Although hazardous materials are carefully
regulated today, past activities have left some
contaminated sites in Stockton, as well as others
where contamination is suspected and
investigation is underway. Contamination has
resulted from leaking underground storage tanks,
disposal of hazardous materials, and various past
industrial practices. The California Department of
Toxic Substances Control oversees cleanup of
such sites, but the potential for accidents and spills
means that the City also must strive to reduce risks.
POLICY SAF-2.69
Minimize the risk to city residents and property
associated with the transport, distribution, use,
and storage of hazardous materials.
Action SAF-2.6A9A
Restrict transport of hazardous materials within the
city to routes that have been designated for such
transport.
Action SAF-2.6B9B
When appropriate, require new development to
prepare a hazardous materials inventory and/or
prepare Phase I or Phase II hazardous materials
studies, including any required cleanup measures.
Action SAF-2.6C9C
Educate the public regarding about the types of
household hazardous wastes and the proper
methods of for their disposal.
Action SAF-2.79DE
Restrict, to the extent feasible, development of
new hazardous waste storage facilities in within
mapped 100-year flood hazard zones , levee
protection areas, and areas subject to sea level
rise in 2085 (see Figures 5-4XX and XX5-8)rise.
Action SAF-2.79EF
Work with existing handlers of hazardous materials
and the Stockton Fire Department to reduce the
risk of hazardous materials exposures in the event
of flooding.
.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT
TO CLEAN WATER
Access to safe water is a fundamental human
need for both physical and social health.
Maintaining clean water supplies requires
constant vigilance, significant expenditures, and
sometimes changes in behavior, especially as the
impacts of human activities b ecome more
pervasive.
Water supply, quality, and distribution are vital to
Stockton’s ability to serve its population now and
in the future. Regulatory pressures, droughts, and
saline intrusion affecting groundwater supplies
have already strained the region’s water supplies.
As a result, the City has focused attention on the
availability of existing surface water supplies, and
is cooperating with other agencies in the region to
manage groundwater resources at a sustainable
yield.
Meanwhile, water conservation and efficiency
has become a normal way of life in and around
Stockton. Increasing use of reclaimed (or
"recycled") water can be an effective way to
protect water supply. For example, simple
"graywater" systems can re- use water from
bathroom sinks, showers, bathtubs, and washing
machines to irrigate landscaping. Stockton also is
committed to protecting water quality by
ensuring adequate collection, treatment, and
safe disposal of wastewater.
POLICY SAF-3.1
Secure long-term renewable contracts and
related agreements to ensure that surface water
rights will be available to meet projected
demand.
Action SAF-3.1A
Actively participate in appropriate forums
designed to discuss and solve regional water
supply and quality issues.
POLICY SAF-3.2
Protect the availability of clean potable water
from groundwater sources.
Action SAF-3.2A
Continue to cooperate with San Joaquin County,
Stockton East Water District, and CalWater to
monitor groundwater withdrawals and ensure that
they fall within the target yield for the drinking
water aquifer.
Action SAF-3.2B
Require new development to employ low impact
development (LID) approaches, including:
■ Conserving natural ar eas and reducing
imperviousness
■ Runoff storage
■ Hydro-modification (to mimic pre -
development runoff volume and flow rate)
■ Reducing trash accumulation
■ Public education and outreach
GOAL SAF-3: CLEAN WATER
Sustain clean and adequate water supplies.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
POLI
CY SAF-3.3
Encourage use of recycled ("gray") water for
landscaping irrigation to reduce demand on
potable supplies.
Action SAF-3.3A
Require new development to install non-potable
water infrastructure for irrigation of large
landscaped areas where feasible.
Action SAF-3.3B
Investigate and implement Code amendments to
allow installation of dual plumbing and/or
rainwater capture systems to enable use of
recycled water and/or captured rainwater
generated on-site.
POLICY SAF-3.4
Ensure adequate collection, treatment, and safe
disposal of wastewater.
Action SAF-3.4A
Require all new urban development to be served
by an adequate wastewater collection system to
avoid possible contamination of groundwater
from onsite wastewater disposal systems.
Action SAF-3.4B
Conduct outreach and provide information to
encourage homeowners with septic tanks to
abandon existing septic tanks and hook up to the
City wastewater collection system.
Action SAF-3.4C
Continue to discharge treated effluent to the
Delta and reuse that water through the City’s
California Water Code Section 1485 water right.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
AIR QUALITY IN THE VALLEY
HAS TO IMPROVE
The San Joaquin Valley Air Basin is burdened by air
pollution from a variety of industrial and vehicular
sources. Topographic and meteorological
conditions unique to the area trap these
particulates and generate high levels of
unhealthy air in the region. The San Joaquin Valley
Air Pollution Control District oversees plans and
control measures to address air pollution, primarily
from stationary sources such as industry and
power plants. The District also enforces rules and
regulations to control air pollution and to assess
potential air quality impacts of proposed land
uses. The City of Stockton also plays an important
role in helping to minimize air pollutant emissions,
both through direct regulations on land use
activities and through policies and actions that
help reduce the need to travel long distances and
that promote alternatives to single -occupant
vehicular travel. Goals, policies, and actions that
address air quality are highlighted with the thr
throughout the document.
POLICY SAF-4.1
Reduce air impacts from mobile and stationary
sources of air pollution.
Action SAF-4.1A
Require the construction and operation of new
development to implement best practices that
reduce air pollutant emissions, including:
■ Use of low -emission and well -maintained
construction equipment, with idling time
limits.
■ Development and implementation of a dust
control plan during construction.
■ Installation of electrical service connections
at loading docks, where appropriate.
■ Installation of Energy Star -certified
appliances.
■ Entering into Voluntary Emissions Reduction
Agreements with the San Joaquin Valley Air
Pollution Control District.
Action SAF-4.1B
Use the results of the Health Risk Assessments
required by the California Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Act
to establish appropriate land use buffer zones
around any new sources of toxic air pollutants that
pose substantial health risks.
Action SAF-4.1C
Require the use of electric -powered construction
and landscaping equipment as conditions of
project approval when appropriate.
Action SAF-4.1D
Limit heavy-duty off-road equipment idling time to
meet the California Air Resources Board’s idling
regulations for on-road trucks.
POLICY SAF-4.2
Encourage major employers to participate in a
transportation demand management program
(TDM) that reduces vehicle trips through
approaches such as carpooling, vanpooling,
GOAL SAF-4: CLEAN AIR
Improve local air quality.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
shu
ttles, car-shar ing, bike-sharing, end-of-trip
facilities like showers and bicycle parking,
subscription bus service, transit subsidies,
preferential parking, and telecommuting.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Action SAF-4.2A
Provide information and conduct marketing and
outreach to major existing and new employers
about the transportation demand management
(TDM) program facilitated by the San Joaquin
Council of Governments.
POLICY SAF-4.3
Coordinate with the San Joaquin Valley Air
Pollution Control District and non-profit
organizations to promote public awareness on
air quality issues and consistency in air quality
impacts analyses.
Action SAF-4.3A
Distribute educational materials from the San
Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District on the
City’s website and at its Permit Center.
Action SAF-4.3B
Coordinate review of development project
applications with the San Joaquin Valley Air
Pollution Control District to ensure that air quality
impacts are consistently identified and mitigated
during CEQA review.
Policy SAF-4.4
Help the public prepare for and avoid the
negative impacts of poor air quality events.
Action SAF-4.4A
Develop and implement a plan to provide
convenient, equitable, accessible clean air
indoor refuges during times when outdoor air
quality is deemed unhealthy.
Action SAF-4.4B
Work with local employers, service agencies, and
health providers to distribute N95 masks during
poor air quality events.
Action SAF-4.4C
Work with residents, community service providers,
and employers to improve residential and
commercial indoor ventilation systems, including
identifying funding assistance for low -income
households to purchase air purifiers, air
conditioners, fans, or similar devices.
POLICY CH-5.1SAF-4.5
Reduce community GHG emissions.
Action SAF-4.5CH- 5.1BA
Maintain, implement, and regularly update the
City of Stockton Climate Action Plan (CAP) and
update the CAP to include the following:
■ Updated communitywide GHG emissions
inventory;
■ 2030 and 2045 GHG emissions reduction
targets, consistent with SB 32 and AB 1279;
■ Estimated 2030 and 2045 GHG emissions
reduction benefits of State programs;
■ New and/or revised GHG reduction
strategies that, when quantified, achieve the
2030 and 2045 reduction targets and
continue emission reductions beyond 2045;
and
■ New or updated implementation plan for the
CAP.
POLICY SAF-4.6CH-5.32
Expand opportunities for recycling, re-use of
materials, and waste reduction.
Action CH-5.3SAF-4-62A
Use recycled materials and products for City
projects and operations where economically
feasible, and work with recycling contractors to
encourage businesses to use recycled products in
their manufacturing processes and encourage
consumers to purchase recycled products.
Action SAF-4-6CH-5.32B
Continue to require recycling in private and
public operations, including construction/
demolition debris.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
Acti
on SAF-4-6CH-5.32C
Expand educational and outreach efforts to
promote recycling by occupants of multi-family
housing, businesses, and schools.
ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)
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ATTACHMENT C - Draft Safety Element (Redline)