D-19
Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Effelec,wh,ER Efficiency factor of water heaters relative to natural gas
1 unitless Conservative estimate of 1:1 efficiency of gas and electric water heaters10,11
Propelec,HVAC,k Proportion of electric equipment types
making up the electric HVAC market
— — —
Propelec,HVAC,HP proportion of heat pump technology for HVAC systems
18% percentage Calculated based on the combined market
share of heat pumps and electric resistance
heaters for space heating4
Propelec,HVAC,ER proportion of electric resistance
technology for HVAC systems
82% percentage Calculated based on the combined market
share of heat pumps and electric resistance
heaters for space heating4
Propelec,wh,ER Electric HVAC technology proportion of
electric resistance space heaters
100% percentage As high efficiency technology (i.e. solar and heat pumps) is 1% of the market, assume all
water heaters are electric resistance as a
conservative estimation3
k types of options for a given electric
equipment system
e.g. heat pumps,
electric resistance
— —
Notes: “—“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows
1. Metric Conversions. Therms (US) to Kilowatt-hours. Available at: https://www.metric-conversions.org/energy-and-power/therms-us-to-kilowatt-hours.htm
2. Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. 2018. Decarbonization of Heating Energy Use in California Buildings, Figure 2. Available at: https://www.synapseenergy.com/sites/default/files/Decarbonization-Heating-CA-Buildings-17-092-1.pdf
3. Opinion Dynamics. 2022. California Heat Pump Residential Market Characterization and Baseline Study, Figure 34. Available at:
https://pda.energydataweb.com/api/view/2625/OD-CPUC-Heat-Pump-Market-Study-Report_Final.pdf
4. Opinion Dynamics. 2022. California Heat Pump Residential Market Characterization and Baseline Study, Figure 21. Available at:
https://pda.energydataweb.com/api/view/2625/OD-CPUC-Heat-Pump-Market-Study-Report_Final.pdf
5. Given the State’s robust efforts, policies, and guidelines supporting electrification, it is assumed that electric water heaters and space heating units will achieve full market share dominance by 2045, aligning with broader statewide decarbonization goals.
6. U.A. Energy Information Administration (EIA). 2023. Updated Buildings Sector Appliance and Equipment Costs and Efficiencies. Available at:
https://www.eia.gov/analysis/studies/buildings/equipcosts/pdf/full.pdf
7. U.S Department of Energy. 2024. Air-Source Heat Pumps. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/air-source-heat-pumps?utm_source=chatgpt.com
8. Energy.gov. Electric Resistance Heating. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/electric-resistanceheating#:~:text=Electric%20resistance%20heating%20is%20100,the%20fuel's%20energy%20into%20electricity.
9. European Copper Institute. 2018. Heat Pumps: Integrating technologies to decarbonize heating and cooling. Accessed at: https://www.ehpa.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/10/White_Paper_Heat_pumps-1.pdf
10.Schnackel Engineers. 2023. Electric Heating vs Gas Heating. Available at: https://schnackel.com/blogs/electric-heating-vs-gasheating#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20significant%20advantages,losses%20during%20the%20combustion%20process.
11.Southface Energy Institute. Water Heater Efficiency, Efficiency of Fuel Types and Alternatives for Heating Water. Available at:
https://www.ncelec.org/sites/ncelec/files/documents/waterheater_efficiency_041614.pdf
12.Pennsylvania State University. 2023. Energy Efficiency of Water Heaters. Available at: https://www.e-education.psu.edu/egee102/node/2009
D-20
Table 9 Existing Building Voluntary Replacement GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Definition Definition Units Sector 2030 2045
Equation 3.4
Effelec,wh Weighted efficiency factor of
water heaters relative to natural
gas
unitless Residential 1.00 1.00
Nonresidential 1.00 1.00
Effelec,HVAC Weighted efficiency factor of
HVAC systems relative to natural
gas equipment
unitless Residential 1.36 1.36
Nonresidential 1.36 1.36
Equation 3.3
EOLNG,y,i,wh Percent of water heaters
reaching end-of-life since
ordinance implementation
percentage Residential 30.77% 100.00%
Nonresidential 40.00% 100.00%
EOLNG,y,i,HVAC Percent of HVAC units reaching
end-of-life since ordinance
implementation
percentage Residential 18.60% 88.37%
Nonresidential 17.39% 82.61%
Equation 3.2
Fuely,i Forecasted natural gas
consumption after new building
electrification
therms Residential 2,661,103 3,145,882
Nonresidential 2,522,151 3,912,581
Fuelreduced,y,i Natural gas reductions from
ordinances
therms Residential 562,869 2,176,054
Nonresidential 693,541 2,866,572
Fuel
Avoidedwh,y,i
Natural gas consumption
avoided (water heaters)1
therms Residential 29,440 368,535
Nonresidential 24,577 292,882
Fuel
AvoidedHVAC,y,i
Natural gas consumption
avoided (HVAC)1
therms Residential 33,494 334,253
Nonresidential 29,385 362,920
Equation 3.1
Elec
Convertedwh,i
Electricity usage from conversion
of water heater systems
kWh Residential
862,587
10,798,07
4 Nonresidential 720,092 8,581,455
Elec
ConvertedHVAC,i
Electricity usage from conversion
of HVAC systems
kWh Residential 719,667 7,181,975
Nonresidential 631,385 7,797,931
Equation 3
EFelec,y,i Forecasted electricity emission
factor
MT
CO2e/kWh
Residential 0.0001501 0.0000000
Nonresidential 0.0001501 0.0000000
CO2e
ReductionNG,y,i
Natural gas GHG emissions
reduction
MT CO2e Residential 180 4,777
Nonresidential 156 4,458
Notes:
1. Natural gas consumption avoided resulting from education, market trends, and voluntary replacement after the energy standard has taken place.
D-21
Measure BE-3: Decarbonize 95% of new building construction by 2026.
Measure BE-3 commits the City to decarbonize new building construction in the community. The primary Action that enables this Measure is:
• Action BE-3a which directs the City to adopt a single margin hourly source energy threshold (EDR1) performance standard for new construction by 2026;
• Action BE-3b which commits the City to incorporate additional climate resilient design requirements as part of any future updates to the City’s building code or zoning code; and, • Action BE-3c which directs the City to continue to remove procedural barriers and establish a more streamlined permitting process for all new electric building construction by 2027.
As an initial performance standard, the City will monitor that the energy performance standard is implemented by 2026 following local adoption. Additionally, to gauge the Actions’ performance in achieving Measure goals, the City will annually track the annual number of new building permits achieving EDR1 through electrification as part of Action BE-3c.
The City is committed to limiting new natural gas developments in the community where feasible. However, the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s decision to overturn Berkeley’s natural gas regulation—the ordinance that prohibited the installation of natural gas piping within newly constructed buildings—limits the City’s ability to establish regulations to ban new natural gas construction.37 Despite this, through Action BE-3a, the City will adopt a single margin hourly source energy threshold (EDR1) performance standard for new construction, considered a legal alternative as discussed under Measure BE-2. This regulation will be designed to strongly encourage electrification of new construction as an energy consumption threshold. Action BE-3b will further influence climate resilient design requirements and Action BE-3c will help streamline the process for all new construction.
This shift towards electrification is supported by a clear understanding of key consumer and developer considerations in new building design and purchasing. By establishing a performance standard like the EDR1, the City would make electric buildings the more cost-effective option. This aligns with the fact that developers often prioritize cost efficiency in their decision-making, as the financial feasibility of a project depends heavily on material and energy costs.38,39 Studies indicate that cost is a major factor in consumer purchasing decisions, with many opting for affordable, long-term solutions even when sustainability is a consideration.40,41 However, a study by PWC indicates that consumers may be willing to pay a 9.7 percent premium for sustainable goods, even despite inflation concerns for cost-of-living.42 As such, by making high-GHG building designs more expensive through the EDR1 threshold, developers are financially incentivized to adopt electrification design in new buildings as a lower-cost, sustainable alternative. This strategy not only supports GHG reduction goals but also addresses the market demand for costeffective, energy-efficient buildings, benefiting both developers and consumers.
A single margin hourly source energy threshold (EDR1) performance standard establishes an energy consumption threshold that all new electric buildings must meet or fall below to comply with the City’s energy efficiency requirements. The EDR1 would make building electrification the easiest and most economical pathway to meet the energy standard. However, since the performance standard does not ban natural gas infrastructure outright, it may permit some new construction to include natural gas something that Action BE2-d, decommissioning the city’s natural gas pipeline, in part will address. These exceptions are expected to be minimal because of the cost effectiveness of new building electrification and continued natural growth in electric space and water heater installations seen in California over the past decade. Electric space heaters have grown to a 20 percent market share 37 CRA V. City of Berkeley, No. 21-16278. Accessed at: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/21-16278/21- 16278-2023-04-17.html.
38 DesignHorizons Team. 2024. Construction Pricing: Factors, Costs, and Methods Explained. Available at:
https://designhorizons.org/construction-pricing-factors-costs-and-methods-explained/ 39 Construction Management Association of America. Member Communications Experience, Construction Estimating: Everything You Need to Know. Available at: https://www.cmaanet.org/sites/default/files/resource/Construction%20Estimating_0.pdf 40 Mintel. 2022. One in five Americans struggle to cover day-to-day expenses as inflation soars. . Available at:
https://www.mintel.com/press-centre/one-in-five-americans-struggle-to-cover-day-to-day-expenses-as-inflation-soars/ 41 PWC. 2024. Consumers willing to pay 9.7% sustainability premium, even as cost-of-living and inflationary concerns weigh: PwC 2024 Voice of the Consumer Survey. Available at: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2024/pwc-2024-voiceof-consumer-survey.html 42 Ibid.
D-22
in 2019, while electric water heaters have grown to an 11 percent market share in 2019.43 This trend is not only expected to continue through 2030 because all-electric new construction has proven to be cost-effective in the region for most all buildings types,44,45 but also be accelerated when coupled with the large amount of funding available for community members to install electric or heat pump space and water heating appliances (see ‘Voluntary Electrification’ section above for funding options).
For the purpose of quantification of this Measure, it is assumed that the EDR1 standards will encourage 95 percent of new buildings to opt for all-electric construction as the most cost-effective option. Table 10 shows the parameters and data sources that support these electrification ordinance GHG emissions reduction and Table 11 shows the calculations as outlined in Equations 3 through 3.3.
All-electric New Building Construction Equations
Equation 3 CO2e ReductionNG,y,i=(Fuel AvoidedNG,y,i*EFNG)+( Fuel AvoidedNG,y,i*EFNGL)-(Elec Converty,i*EFelec,y,i*(1+LT&D))
Equation 3.1 Fuel AvoidedNG,y,i=(FuelNG,y,i-FuelNG,imp.y,i)*Ordtarget,i Equation 3.2 Fuel AvoidedNGL,y,i=(Fuel AvoidedNG,y,i*(1+LEnd-use))*(LPipeline +LEnd-use) Equation 3.3 Elec Convert,y,i = Fuel AvoidedNG,y,i*CFelec/Effelec Table 10 All-electric New Building Construction Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 3
CO2e ReductionNG,y,i Natural gas GHG
emissions reduction
See Table 11 MT CO2e Calculated
Fuel AvoidedNG,y,i Natural gas consumption
avoided
See Table 11 therms Calculated
EFNG Natural gas emission
factor
0.005311 MT CO2e/therm See references in
Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets
Technical Report
Fuel AvoidedNGL,y,i Natural gas leakage
avoided
See Table 11 therms Calculated
EFNGL Natural gas leakage
emission factor
0.053067 MT CO2e/therm See references in
Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets
Technical Report
Elec Convertedy,i Electricity usage from
conversion
See Table 11 kWh Calculated
EFelec,y,i Forecasted electricity
emission factor
See Table 11 MT CO2e/kWh See references in
Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets
Technical Report
43 Opinion Dynamics. California Heat Pump Residential Market Characterization and Baseline Study (2022). Accessed at:
https://pda.energydataweb.com/#!/documents/2625/view.
44 California Energy Codes and Standards. Cost Effectiveness Explorer (2024). Accessed at:
https://explorer.localenergycodes.com/jurisdiction/eureka-city/study-results/1-PGE?only_study_type=new-buildings 45 According to the California Energy Codes and Standards’ Cost Effectiveness Explorer, all-electric construction is cost effective for all residential building types.
D-23
Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
LT&D Electricity transmission
and distribution loss
percentage
4.12% Percentage See references in
Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets
Technical Report
y Year 2030 or 2045 year —
i Subsector Residential or
Nonresidential
— —
Equation 3.1
FuelNGy,i Forecasted natural gas
consumption
See Table 11 therms See references in
Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets
Technical Report
FuelNG,imp.y Forecasted natural gas in
implementation year
See Table 11 therms Calculated
imp.yi Ordinance implementation
year
— — —
imp.y,residential Ordinance implementation
year (residential)
2026 year Measure BE-3 target
imp.y,commercial Ordinance implementation
year (commercial)
2026 year Measure BE-3 target
%Impi Effective percent of
ordinance implementation
— — —
%Impresidential Effective percent of
ordinance implementation
(residential)
95% percentage Assumed due to
electric appliance
market trends, costeffectiveness, and
inclusion of allelectric assumption
in CEQA documents.
%Impcommercial Effective percent of
ordinance implementation
(commercial)
95% percentage
Equation 3.2
LPipeline Natural gas pipeline
leakage percentage
2.3% kWh/therm Metric Conversions1
LEnd-use Natural gas end-use
leakage percentage
0.5% unitless Leonardo Energy2
and European
Copper Institute3
Equation 3.3
CFelec Electricity to therms
conversion factor
29.3 kWh/therm Metric Conversions1
Effelec Efficiency factor of
electric equipment relative
to natural gas equipment
3 unitless U.S. Department of
Energy2 and
European Copper
Institute3
Notes: “-“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows
1. Metric Conversions. Therms (US) to Kilowatt-hours. Available at: https://www.metric-conversions.org/energy-andpower/therms-us-to-kilowatt-hours.htm
2. U.S Department of Energy. 2024. Air-Source Heat Pumps. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/air-source-heatpumps?utm_source=chatgpt.com
3. European Copper Institute. 2018. Heat Pumps: Integrating technologies to decarbonise heating and cooling. Accessed at:
https://www.ehpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/White_Paper_Heat_pumps-1.pdf.
D-24
Table 11 All-electric New Building Construction GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Variable Definition Units Sector 2030 2045
Equation 3.1
FuelNG,y,i Forecasted natural
gas consumption
therms Residential 2,661,103 3,145,882
Nonresidential 2,522,151 3,912,581
FuelNG,imp,y Forecasted natural
gas in implementation
year
therms Residential 2,492,627 2,492,627
Nonresidential 2,151,370 2,151,370
%Impi Effective percent of
ordinance
implementation
percentage Residential 95.00% 95.00%
Nonresidential 95.00% 95.00%
Fuel
AvoidedNG,y,i
Natural gas
consumption avoided
therms Residential 160,052 620,592
Nonresidential 352,242 1,673,151
Equation 3.2
Fuel
AvoidedNGL,y,i
Natural gas leakage
avoided
therms Residential 4,504 17,463
Nonresidential 9,912 47,082
Equation 3.3
Elec Converty,i Electricity usage from
conversion
kWh Residential 1,563,171 6,061,119
Nonresidential 3,440,233 16,341,106
Equation 3
EFelec,y,i Forecasted electricity
emission factor
MT CO2e/kWh Residential 0.0001501 0.00
Nonresidential 0.0001501 0.00
CO2e
ReductionNG
Natural gas GHG
emissions reduction
MT CO2e Residential 845 4,223
Nonresidential 1,859 11,385
Measure BE-4: Decarbonize 50% municipal buildings by 2030 and 100% by 2045.
Measure BE-4 commits the City to lead by example in decarbonizing municipal buildings and facilities City-wide to educate and promote electric conversions throughout the community. To achieve this, the City plans to adopt a policy requiring the decarbonization of 50% of municipal buildings and facilities by 2030 and 100% by 2045, with a focus on prioritizing critical and public access facilities. Additionally, the City will pursue grant funding and eligible rebates to support the electrification of municipal buildings. While the strategies to decarbonize municipal buildings and facilities will reduce GHG emissions, emissions from municipal building energy are included as a subset of the nonresidential building energy sector in the Ukiah 2022 Community GHG Inventory. This means the associated GHG emissions reduction are included within the community mitigation Measures (i.e., BE-1 through BE-3). Thus, to avoid potential double counting, reductions from this municipal mitigation measure are not counted towards the 2030 and 2045 targets. Nevertheless, the City is committed to demonstrating leadership in building decarbonization to support community-wide GHG reduction efforts and to serve as a model for sustainable practices.
D-25
3 Sector T: Transportation
The City of Ukiah’s Transportation strategy aims to reduce and decarbonize VMT by leveraging renewable and carbon-free electricity (see Sector BE-1) and other renewable fuels to reduce GHG emissions from the transportation system. Reducing VMT consists of transitioning Ukiah residents and visitors out of single-occupancy vehicles and into active transportation mode options (i.e., walking and biking) and public and shared transit options (e.g., public buses, rail, carpools) by improving these modes and adopting policies to discourage single-occupancy vehicle commutes. The remaining VMT will then be decarbonized by increasing the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
When combined with renewable and carbon-free fuels, zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) eliminate GHG emissions from fossil fuel combustion and transition commutes to a zero-emission operational footprint. Additionally, the sector targets small off-road equipment and vehicles for decarbonization in alignment with State regulations. Based on this approach, the CAP’s Transportation strategy consists of the following Measures presented in Table 12. The table also indicates which Measures are quantitative and which Measures are supportive. The following subsections detail the substantial evidence and calculation methodologies of the quantitative Measures and the role of the supportive Measures.
Table 12 Sector T: Transportation GHG Emission Reduction Summary Measure ID Measure
2030 GHG
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
Measure T-1 Increase the total mode share of active
transportation to 15% by 2030, and 30% by 2045.
373 2,164
Measure T-2 Increase total public transportation mode share to 5% by 2030, and 20% by 2045.
997 5,319
Measure T-3 Reduce local VMT from single passenger vehicles. Supportive Supportive Measure T-4 Achieve zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption rates of 30% for passenger vehicles and 25% for
commercial vehicles by 2030 and 100% for all
vehicles by 2045.
11,847 66,664
Measure T-5 By 2030, electrify or otherwise decarbonize 12% of applicable small off-road engines (SORE) off-road
equipment and replace 35% of fossil diesel
consumption with renewable diesel in alignment
with EO N-79-20.
606 1,541
Measure T-6 Decarbonize the municipal fleet in compliance with the California Advanced Clean Fleet Rule and
EO N-79-20 off-road requirements.
Supportive Supportive
Total 13,823 75,688
Measure T-1: Increase the total mode share of active
transportation to 15% by 2030, and 30% by 2045.
Measure T-1 aims to increase Ukiah’s active transportation mode share to 15 percent by 2030 and to 30 percent by 2045. The primary Actions that enable this Measure are:
• Action T-1a which directs the City to update and implement the Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, increase active transportation infrastructure through safe and accessible bikeways and walkways, and develop and pilot a program that provides communitywide access to bicycles; • Action T-1b which directs the City to establish affordable public transportation options while prioritizing bicycles and other micro-mobility options;
D-26
• Action T-1c which commits the City to develop a priority list of active transportation projects from Mendocino Council of Governments’ (MCOG) Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and updated Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, as well as identify and pursue necessary resources to implement the top 5 projects identified by 2028;
• Action T-1d which commits the City to further developing safe bike lane transportation corridors by 2027 across Ukiah using available State and federal funding.
To monitor the performance of these Actions in achieving Measure T-1 goals, the City will preliminarily track the amount of grant funding sourced and distributed through active transportation projects. Miles of bike and pedestrian lanes developed will also be tracked as the primary performance standard for determining the efficacy of listed Actions in achieving Measure goals.
Currently, Ukiah has a low bicycle mode share, but a relatively high walking mode share. In 2022 (i.e. Ukiah’s GHG Inventory year), Ukiah’s bicycle and pedestrian mode shares were 0.2 percent and 10.9 percent, respectively, equating to a 11.1 percent total active transportation mode share. 46,47 Ukiah’s bicycle network currently lacks safety,
accessibility and connectivity. Specifically, major areas of the Ukiah lack designated bicycle facilities.48 Action T-1a addresses these problems by directing the City to update its Master Plan and increase bicycle infrastructure through safe and accessible bikeways. Action T-1d also addresses these concerns by further developing safe bike lane corridors through State and federal funding. Studies show that investments in active transportation infrastructure have demonstrated significant improvements in active transportation mode shifts and GHG emissions reductions. 49 For example, urban cities that make a strong commitment to bicycle travel can see up to an 11 percent reduction in vehicle miles traveled and associated GHG emissions.50 Such reductions can be reasonably expected because in 2022, about 16 percent of vehicle trips made nationally were 1 mile or less—a distance easily travelled by foot or bicycle.51 Action T-1a supports this measure by addressing safety and connectivity concerns, as well as updating the Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Part of this update includes assessing current active transportation conditions and projects occurring in Ukiah, such as the Urban Core Rehabilitation Project (UCRT)52 and construction of Phases 1-3 of the Great Redwood Trail – Ukiah (GRT-Ukiah).53 The UCRT is a project that will enhance multimodal transportation in Ukiah’s urban core, including installing or upgrading 2.9 miles of bike lanes. The GRT-Ukiah is expanding from 1.8 miles long to 3 miles long and 100 feet wide, with existing trail miles running adjacent to downtown Ukiah. The expansion of this trail enhances the efficacy of the project serving as an active transportation trail system as well as a linear park which encourages inclusivity and increased connectivity across Ukiah for residents.
To estimate the mode shift potential of updating Ukiah’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, other cities’ bicycle and road networks were analyzed. The City of Davis leads the state with a 17.5 percent bicycle mode share54 and 9.2 miles of bike lane per square mile of the city.55 The City of Berkeley has a 9.7 percent bicycle mode56 with approximately 4.8 miles of bike lane per square mile of the city.57 Ukiah’s current bicycle mode share is 0.2 percent,58 46 US Census Bureau. 2022: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables. S0801|Commuting Characteristics by Sex. Accessed at:
https://data.census.gov/table?t=Commuting&g=160XX00US0681134 47 U.S. Census Bureau data includes ‘Work from home’ mode share. Mode share percentages were re-determined to exclude work from home mode share.
48 City of Ukiah. 2040 General Plan (2022). Accessed at: https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/202212_release/UKGP_EntireGP.pdf 49 Glazener, Andrew and Khreis, Haneen. Transforming our Cities: Best Practices Towards Clean Air and Active Transportation (2019). Accessed at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40572-019-0228-1 50 Jacob Mason et al., Institute for Transportation & Development Policy and the University of California, Davis. A Global High Shift Cycling Scenario (2015). Accessed at: https://itdpdotorg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/A-Global-High-Shift-CyclingScenario_Nov-2015.pdf 51 National Household Travel Survey. Population Vehicle Trips Statistics (2021). Accessed at: https://nhts.ornl.gov/vehicle-trips 52 City of Ukiah. Urban Core Rehabilitation and Transportation Project (2023). Accessed at: https://cityofukiah.com/ucrt/ 53 City of Ukiah. Great Redwood Trail – Ukiah, Linear Park Master Plan (2020). Accessed at: https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2022/06/GRT-Park-Master-Plan-Final.pdf 54 US Census Bureau. 2019: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables. S0801|Commuting Characteristics by Sex. Accessed at:
https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2019.S0801?q=commute&g=160XX00US0618100 55 City of Davis. Accessed at: https://www.cityofdavis.org/city-hall/public-works-engineering-and-transportation/bike-pedestrianprogram/davis-bike-and-pedestrian-infrastructure 56 City of Berkeley. City of Berkeley Bicycle Plan (2017). Accessed at:
https://www.cityofberkeley.info/uploadedFiles/Public_Works/Level_3_-_Transportation/Berkeley-Bicycle-Plan-2017- Executive%20Summary.pdf
57 Visit Berkeley. Fact Sheet. Accessed at: https://www.visitberkeley.com/media-press/press-kit/fact-sheet/ 58 US Census Bureau. 2022: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables. S0801|Commuting Characteristics by Sex. Accessed at:
https://data.census.gov/table?t=Commuting&g=160XX00US0681134
D-27
and has approximately 2.13 miles of bike lane per square mile of the city.59 With the City adding over 12 additional miles of bike lanes through updates of the Bicycle and pedestrian Master Plan, there would be approximately 4.74 miles of bike lane per square mile of Ukiah.
Bicycle mode share in Ukiah is low partially because of the lack of designated bicycle facilities, making bicycle routes disconnected and inaccessible, as mentioned above. Studies show that increasing the connectivity of bicycle route networks can lead to a higher mode share of bicycle use.60 Given that Ukiah’s projected 4.74 miles of bike lanes per square mile closely aligns with the bike lane networks in cities like Berkeley, where bicycle mode share has reached
9.7 percent, achieving a 4 percent active transportation mode share by 2030 is a realistic and attainable goal, with the increase coming from bicycle mode share while walking mode share is conservatively assumed to remain constant.61 This assumption provides a conservative and reasonable estimate of bike mode share increase that lies well below similar city references (City of Davis and City of Berkeley, see above), and is supported by the City’s efforts to implement 12 miles of new bike lanes.
Like 2030, the 2045 quantification assumes the increases would be attributable to bicycle mode share, while walking mode share remains constant. These active transportation mode share estimates also provide VMT reductions for Ukiah well within the reductions shown in the cited studies. Additionally, the key Actions associated with this Measure (Actions T-1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d) will support this increase in mode share by prioritizing efforts to implement bike share programs, increase access, and incentive mode shifts.
Table 13 shows the parameters and data sources that support the GHG emissions reduction from active transportation mode shifts and Table 14 shows the calculations as outlined in Equations 4 through 4.2.
Active Transportation Mode Share Equations
Equation 4 CO2e Reductioni,y= VMT Reducedi,y*VMT EFi,y
Equation 4.1 VMT Reducedi,y=(( VMTi,y*TPMi,y)/MSpass,by)*TLi*MS IncreaseBike,y Equation 5.2 MS IncreaseBike,y=MS TargetActive,y -MSBike,by Table 13 Active Transportation Mode Share Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 4
CO2e Reduction VMT GHG
emissions
reduction
See Table 14 MT CO2e Calculated
VMT Reduced VMT reduced See Table 14 miles Calculated
VMT EF VMT emission
factor
See Table 14 MT
CO2e/mile
See references in Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
Equation 4.1
VMTi,y Forecasted VMT See Table 14 miles See references in Appendix GHG Inventory, Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
TPMi,y Forecasted trips
per mile
See Table 14 trips/mile See references in Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
59 Ukiah currently has 9.82 miles of bike lanes (Ukiah 2040 General Plan). Ukaih land area in square miles is 4.6, according to the 2040 General Plan. Accessed at: https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/202212_release/UKGP_EntireGP.pdf 60 California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA). Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures (2010).
Accessed at: https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/ceqa/handbook/capcoa-quantifying-greenhouse-gas-mitigationmeasures.pdf 61 The average active transportation trip length used in the quantification is set to 1.5 miles. While average walking trip (1 mile, CARB) is significantly lower than average biking trip (2.1 miles, CARB), a 1.5-mile average was assumed. Increasing biking infrastructure will increase accessibility to biking routes and increase convenience for biking.
D-28
Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
MS pass,by Passenger trip
mode share in
baseline year
88% percentage US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year
Estimates Subject Tables (2022)1
TLi Average bicycle
trip length
1.5 miles CARB Quantifying Reductions in
Vehicle Miles Traveled from New
Bike Paths, Lanes, and Cycle
Tracks: Technical Documentation2
MS IncreaseBike,y Bicycle mode
share increase
See Table 14 percentage Calculated
i VMT type Passenger – –
y Year 2030 or 2045 – –
Equation 4.2
MS TargetActive,y Active
transportation
mode share target
– percentage Conservative estimate based on
bicycle mode shares currently
seen in Davis and Berkeley.3,4
MS
TargetActive,2030
– 15.00% percentage Measure T-1 target; City of Davis
and Berkeley.3,4
MS
TargetActive,2045
– 30.00% percentage Measure T-1 target
MSWalk,by Walking mode
share in baseline
year
10.91% percentage US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year
Estimates Subject Tables (2022) 1
MSBike,by Bicycle mode
share in baseline
year
0.22% percentage US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year
Estimates Subject Tables (2022)1
by Baseline year 2022 year See references in Appendix GHG Inventory, Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
Notes: “-“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows
1. US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables. S0801|Commuting Characteristics by Sex, Ukiah (2022).
Available at: https://data.census.gov/table?t=Commuting&g=160XX00US0681134
2. CARB. Quantifying Reductions in Vehicle Miles Traveled from New Bike Paths, Lanes, and Cycle Tracks: Technical Documentation (2019). Accessed at: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/auctionproceeds/bicycle_facilities_technical_041519.pdf.
3. US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables. S0801|Commuting Characteristics by Sex, Davis (2022).
Available at: https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S0801?t=Commuting&g=160XX00US0618100
4. US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables. S0801|Commuting Characteristics by Sex, Berkley (2022).
Available at: https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2022.S0801?t=Commuting&g=160XX00US0606000
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Table 14 Active Transportation Mode Share GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Variable Definition Units VMT Type 2030 2045
Equation 4.2
MS TargetActive,y Active transportation mode
share target
percentage Passenger 15.00% 30.00%
MS
IncreaseBike,y
Bicycle mode share increase percentage Passenger 3.88% 18.88% Equation 4.1
VMT Forecasted VMT miles Passenger 150,757,738 197,679,597 TPM Forecasted trips per mile trips/mile Passenger 0.126046 0.131863 VMT Reduced VMT reduced miles Passenger 1,255,643 8,386,864 Equation 4
VMT EF VMT emission factor MT
CO2e/mile
Passenger 0.000297 0.000258
CO2e
Reduction
VMT GHG emissions
reduction
MT CO2e Passenger 373 2,164
Measure T-2: Increase total public transportation mode share to 5% by 2030, and 20% by 2045.
Measure T-2 aims to increase Ukiah’s public transit mode share to 5 percent by 2030 and to 20 percent by 2045. The primary Actions that enable this Measure are:
• Action T-2a which directs the City to work with Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) and Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) to implement a transportation system plan to shift travel behavior away from singleoccupancy vehicles and encourage use of public and multi-modal transportation options. The plan will include considerations as to:
o Increasing MTA ridership through improved routes and modifying schedules to increase efficiency and align with rider needs,
o Increasing micro-transit access to improved public transit network facilities to promote last-mile commute access to alternative transportation methods,
o Developing a local electric trolley or bus system that operates year-round; • Action T-2b which commits the City to require parking management plans (i.e., eliminate parking minimums, develop parking maximums) and transportation demand management plans; and, • Action T-2c which directs the City to collaborate with MCOG and Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA), Mendocino College, and other key institutional partners to establish free or subsidized local public transit programs that service local residential and commercial areas.
To monitor the performance of these Actions in achieving Measure T-2 goals, the City will preliminarily track the successful completion of the City transportation system plan identified in Action T-2a, as well as the implementation of TDM requirements. Annual MTA ridership rates will also be tracked as the primary performance standard for determining Action efficacy in achieving Measure goals.
In 2022 (i.e., Ukiah’s GHG inventory year), Ukiah’s public transit mode share was 0.87 percent. 62 Key strategies
employed by cities looking to increase public transportation mode share include significant expansions of public transportation service lines (Action T-2a), designated streets or lanes for bus lines to decrease headways, implementation of taxes to support transit, and reduced parking availability (Action T-2b). Studies have shown that expanding transit coverage through services routes and schedules can increase public transit mode share in a city.
Specifically, studies which incorporated factors such as elasticity of transit demand and average mode shift factors 62 US Census Bureau. 2022: ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables. S0801|Commuting Characteristics by Sex. Accessed at:
https://data.census.gov/table?t=Commuting&g=160XX00US0681134
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have estimated that doubling transit coverage in a city can reduce VMT—and associated GHG emissions—up to 4.6 percent.63 Action T-2b specifies identifying high-trafficked areas of Ukiah to eliminate parking minimums, develop parking maximums, and require parking management and transportation demand management (TDM) plans. The intention of this Action is for employers to implement TDM plans that discourage single-occupancy vehicle trips and encourage alternative modes of transportation such as carpooling, transit, walking, and biking, thereby reducing VMT and GHG emissions. Studies show that implementing such plans have the potential to reduce up to 26 percent GHG emissions from project employee commute VMT.
64 Action T-2b also intends to develop parking management plans.
Studies have estimated that implementing paid public parking and limited residential parking can reduce GHG emissions up to 30 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively.65 With the focus of Action T-2a and Action T-2c on creating a more connected and reliable network of transit, it is reasonable to estimate that the City can expect a 2.23 percent reduction in passenger VMT in Ukiah which would result from a 4.13 percent increase in public transit mode share.66 Quantification estimates using third party evidence suggest that a realistic goal set forth by this measure is a public transit mode share of 5 percent by 2030 and 20 percent by 2045. For the purpose of conservatively estimating GHG reductions, these percentages are applied to the remaining VMT after accounting for reductions achieved through active transportation efforts identified in Measure T-1 to determine the expected VMT reduction from public transit actions.
Efforts to increase public transit mode share associated with Action T-2a may lead to more frequent transit operations or route changes, potentially increasing GHG emissions. However, MTA is planning to expand its ZEV bus fleet in alignment with California's Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) regulation, which requires all public transit agencies to transition to zero-emission bus fleets by 2040.67 The ICT regulation mandates a phased transition schedule: by 2023, large transit agencies must ensure 25% of new bus purchases are zero-emission; by 2026, large agencies must increase this to 50%, with small transit agencies beginning their transition at 25%; and by 2029, all new bus purchases statewide must be zero-emission.68 Additionally, programs such as the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), established under Senate Bill 862, provide funding to support this transition.69 For the purposes of quantification, it is assumed that any new buses required to support expanded service or additional routes under this action would be electric or zero-emission in alignment with State regulations. Using electric buses is anticipated to have continual GHG reduction benefits as emissions from electricity decline as a result of implementation of Measures BE-1 to transition the Ukiah grid to renewable energy. As a result, GHG emissions from potential public transit expansion in Ukiah are anticipated to be negligible and are not included in the quantification of net GHG emissions reductions from this measure. Table 15 shows the parameters and data sources that support the GHG emissions reduction associated with reducing vehicle miles traveled through public transit mode share and Table 16 shows the calculations as outlined in Equations 5 through 5.2.
Public Transit Mode Share Equations
Equation 5 CO2e Reductioni,y= VMT Reducedi,y*VMT EFi,y
Equation 5.1 VMT Reducedi,y= (((VMTi,y-VMTactive,y)*TPMi,y)/MSpublic,by)*TLi*MS Increasepublic,y Equation 5.2 MS Increasepublic,y=MS Targetpublic,y-MSpublic,by 63 California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA). Handbook for Analyzing Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Assessing Climate Vulnerabilities, and Advancing Health and Equity (2021). 64 CAPCOA. Handbook for Analyzing Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions, Assessing Climate Vulnerabilities, and Advancing Health and Equity (2021). Measure T-6. Accessed at:
https://www.airquality.org/ClimateChange/Documents/Final%20Handbook_AB434.pdf 65 CAPCOA. Handbook for Analyzing Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions. Measure T-24 and T-15. 66 VMT reduction related to transit measures was quantified using CAPCOA T-24, T-25, and T-26 methodology that quantified VMT reduction for the extension of transit network coverage or hours, increase in transit service frequency, and implementation of transit-supportive roadway treatments, respectively.
67 Mendicino Transit Authority (MTA). 2024. Mendocino Transit Authority Short-Range Transit Development Plan 2024 Update.
Available at: https://www.mendocinocog.org/files/18849c841/MTA+2024+SRTDP_Final%28web%29.pdf 68 California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2024. Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Regulation Fact Sheet. Available at:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/innovative-clean-transit-ict-regulation-fact-sheet 69 Caltrans. 2024. Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP). Available at: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/rail/low-carbontransit-operations-program-lctop
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Table 15 Public Transit Mode Share Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 5
CO2e Reductioni,y VMT GHG emissions
reduction
See Table 16 MT CO2e Calculated
VMT Reducedi,y VMT reduced See Table 16 miles Calculated VMT EFi,y VMT emission factor See Table 16 MT CO2e/mile See references in Appendix GHG Inventory, Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
Equation 5.1
VMTi,y Forecasted VMT
after active
transportation
reductions
See Table 16 miles See references in Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
VMTactive,y VMT reduction from
active transportation
targets
See Table 14 miles Calculated (See Measure T-1)
TPMi,y Forecasted trips per
mile
See Table 16 trips/mile See references in Appendix GHG
Inventory, Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
MS pass,by Passenger trip mode
share in baseline
year
88% percentage US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year
Estimates Subject Tables
(2022)1
TLi Average public
transit trip length
3.8 miles American Public Transportation
Association’s Public
Transportation Fact Book2,3
MS IncreasePublic,y Public transit mode
share increase
See Table 16 percentage Calculated
i VMT type Passenger – –
y Year 2030 or 2045 – –
Equation 5.2
MS TargetPublic,y Public transit mode
share target
– percentage –
MS
TargetPublic,2030
Public transit mode
share target (2030)
5% percentage Measure T-2 target
MS
TargetPublic,2045
Public transit mode
share target (2045)
20% percentage Measure T-2 target
MSPublic,by Public transit mode
share in baseline
year
0.87% percentage US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year
Estimates Subject Tables
(2022)1
by Baseline year 2022 year See references in Appendix GHG Inventory, Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
Notes: “-“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows
1. US Census Bureau. ACS 5-Year Estimates Subject Tables. S0801|Commuting Characteristics by Sex, Ukiah (2022).
Available at: https://data.census.gov/table?t=Commuting&g=160XX00US0681134
2. American Public Transportation Association. Public Transportation Fact Book (2018). Accessed at:
https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/Resources/resources/statistics/Documents/FactBook/2018-APTA-FactBook.pdf.
3. Note: Regular bus trip length was utilized to remain conservative.
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Table 16 Public Transit Mode Share GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Variable Definition Units VMT Type 2030 2045
Equation 5.2
MS TargetPublic Public transit mode share
target
percentage Passenger 5.00% 20.00%
MS
IncreasePublic
Public transit mode share
increase
percentage Passenger 4.13% 19.13%
Equation 5.1
VMT Forecasted VMT after active
transportation reductions
miles Passenger 150,757,738 197,679,597
VMTactive VMT reduction from active
transportation targets
miles Passenger 1,255,643 8,386,864
TPM Forecasted trips per mile trips/mile Passenger 0.126046 0.131863 VMT Reduced VMT reduced miles Passenger 3,358,554 20,615,627 Equation 5
VMT EF VMT emission factor MT
CO2e/mile
Passenger 0.000297 0.000258
CO2e
Reduction
VMT GHG emissions
reduction
MT CO2e Passenger 997 5,319
Measure T-3: Reduce local VMT from single passenger vehicles.
Measure T-3 directs Ukiah to develop programs and policies to discourage travel by single-occupancy vehicles.
Although this Measure may produce GHG emissions reductions, it is not quantified in this CAP due to the high potential to double count GHG emissions reduction with Measures T-1 and T-2. This Measure does, however, play a critical role in reducing VMT by promoting infill development, supporting increased EV infrastructure development, and supporting the CAP’s active and public transportation mode share goals through infrastructure development and increased access.
Measure T-3 seeks to prioritize infill development and/or increased density of residential development in the downtown core, along transit corridors, and within future planned development areas that is compact, mixed use, pedestrian friendly, and transit-oriented where applicable. Increasing residential density and adding mixed-use development to neighborhoods near transit are key actions in reducing VMT, as they create more opportunities for people to live closer to jobs, services, and public transportation, reducing the need for single-occupancy vehicle trips.
Higher densities and mixed-use developments near transit corridors are essential for achieving significant VMT reductions.70 By encouraging sustainable development strategies that emphasize density, connectivity, and quality of affordable housing options along transit routes, this Measure can reduce reliance on cars, facilitate shorter trips, and support a shift to active modes of transportation like walking, biking, and public transit. Studies show that increasing residential density has the potential to reduce up to 30 percent GHG emissions.71 Furthermore, providing transitoriented development has the potential to reduce up to 31 percent GHG emissions.72 In support of reducing single passenger VMT and promoting infill projects, this Measure establishes Reach Code requirements to include EV charging infrastructure and local active and public transit facilities (i.e., dedicated bicycle parking stations, implementation of shared mobility hubs, access to transit stops where viable, etc.) in new multifamily construction. Additionally, the City aims to pursue and implement policies that support accessible, walkable neighborhoods and connected bike networks as part of infill development projects. By coupling increased density and diversity in land use with EV, biking, and walking infrastructure, this Measure helps lay the foundation for achieving Ukiah’s VMT reduction goals of Measure T-4 (see below) and complements the active transportation and public transit mode share targets set by Measures T-1 and T-2. 70 Center for Transit-Oriented Development. Transit Oriented Development and the Potential for VMT-Related Greenhouse Gas Emissions Growth Reduction (2010). Accessed at: https://cnt.org/sites/default/files/publications/TOD-Potential-GHG-EmissionsGrowth.FINAL_.pdf. 71 CAPCOA. Handbook for Analyzing Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions (2021). 72 CAPCOA. Handbook for Analyzing Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions (2021).
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Measure T-4: Achieve zero-emission vehicle adoption rates of 30% for passenger vehicles and 25% for commercial vehicles by 2030 and 100% for all vehicles by 2045.
Measure T-4 aims to achieve a passenger and commercial ZEV adoption rate of 30 percent and 25 percent, respectively, by 2030, and 100 percent for all vehicles by 2045. The primary Actions that are designed to enable this Measure are:
• Action T-4a which directs the City to complete an inventory of existing EV infrastructure and locations, as well as pursue funding opportunities for the installation of around public EV chargers and residential home EV charging systems by 2030; and,
• Action T-4b which commits the City to develop a reach code requiring electric vehicle capable charging spaces to promote EV chargers in new development and existing parking spaces. The reach code would require:
o Single Family – CalGreen Tier 2 provisions;
o Multifamily – CalGreen Tier 2 provisions;
o Non-residential – CalGreen Tier 2 provisions;
o Expansion of EV charging parking spaces to 30% of parking spaces within multi-family residential buildings by 2030;
o Larger residential rental building owners (more than 20 tenants) to install working electric vehicle chargers in 30% of parking spaces for new and existing buildings at time of renovation if projects are valued at $250,000 or greater;
o Acceleration of EV charger permits; and,
o Installation of EV chargers at City-owned facilities.
The State has established a goal of putting 5 million ZEVs on the road by 2030 and, according to executive order N79-20, 100 percent of passenger vehicle sales are to be zero emission by 2035. This new executive order puts the total number of ZEVs on the road by 2035 at approximately 15 million.73 Based on the current number of vehicles registered in California and application of a conservative population growth rate of 2 percent per year, 15 million ZEVs accounts for 35 percent of total passenger vehicles in 2035. The State has also established the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, which requires the gradual transition of commercial vehicle fleets to ZEVs in California. 74 Starting in 2024, fleets must begin transitioning to ZEVs, with new trucks added to the fleet required to be zeroemission. Currently, the State is anticipated to reach 26 percent ZEV adoption across all vehicles by 2030. 75,76 To
verify alignment with State ZEV regulations and the ZEV adoption goals set forth by Measure T-4, the City will monitor performance of the above actions by tracking registration of ZEVs in the community, as well as the number of public EV charging stations installed.
Studies have consistently identified that limited charging infrastructure as one of the primary barriers to electric vehicle adoption.
77, 78 Actions T-4a and T-4b help address this barrier by requiring the identification of gaps in the current infrastructure, pursuing funding to install additional chargers, implementing a reach code to establish minimum charger installation requirements, and simplifying the installation process by accelerating EV charger permits. Publicly accessible electric vehicles chargers make owning an electric vehicle convenient for all drivers— including those who cannot charge at home or drive daily distances longer than their electric vehicle battery range. 73 Davis, A., Hoang, T., Lopez, T., Lu, J., Nguyen, T., Nolty, B., Rillera, L., Schell, D., and Wofford, M. 2023. California Energy Commission Staff Report, Assembly Bill 2127 Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Assessment. Available at:
https://www.energy.ca.gov/publications/2023/second-assembly-bill-ab-2127-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure-assessment 74 CARB. Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation Overview. Accessed at: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/advanced-cleanfleets-regulation-overview 75 California Energy Commission (CEC). 2021. Report Shows California Needs 1.2 Million Electric Vehicle Chargers by 2030.
Accessed at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/news/2021-06/report-shows-california-needs-12-million-electric-vehicle-chargers-2030 76 Based on the zero-emission vehicle goals for passenger vehicles established by Executive Order N-79-20, eight million zeroemission vehicles are anticipated statewide by 2030. The City of Ukiah, through the development of this CAP, estimates that these eight million zero-emission vehicles represent 26 percent of the total passenger vehicles expected statewide by 2030 (based on statewide passenger car and light-duty truck counts in 2016 and population estimates for 2016 and 2030). 77 Kumar, Rajeev Ranjan and Kumar Alok. Adoption of Electric Vehicle: A Literature Review and Prospects for Sustainability (2020).
Accessed at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095965261934781X 78 Winjobi, Olumide and Kelly, Jarod. Used Plug-in Electric Vehicles as a Means of Transportation Equity in Low-Income Households (2021). Accessed at: https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1658592
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To this point, it is expected that 20 percent of electric vehicle charging nationally will occur at publicly accessible chargers in 2030.79
Estimation of EV infrastructure necessary to meet this Measure’s goal is based on the statewide estimate of electric vehicles per publicly accessible electric vehicle charger. This estimate is based on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Projection Tool and the numbers of ZEVs in the State as reported by the CEC (see Table 17). The quantification assumes all ZEVs will be EVs to remain conservative in the plan for EV chargers.
Table 17 shows the parameters and data sources used to calculate the publicly accessible EV chargers needed in 2030 and 2045 and Table 18 shows the calculations as outlined in Equations 6 through 6.1.
Publicly Accessible Electric Vehicle Chargers Equation
Equation 6 PEV Chargersy = EVsy/PEV Charger Factor-Existing PEV Chargersby Equation 6.1 EVsy=Populationy*(Vehiclesby/Populationby)*EV TargetPass,y Table 17 Publicly Accessible Electric Vehicle Charger Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 6
PEV Chargersy New publicly accessible
electric vehicle chargers
needed
See Table 18 chargers Calculated
EVsy Electric vehicles targeted See Table 18 electric vehicles Calculated PEV Charger
Factor
Electric vehicles per publicly
accessible electric vehicle
charger
36 electric vehicles
per charger
State-wide estimate based
on DOE Infrastructure
projection tool and the
number of ZEVs in the
State as reported by the
CEC1
Existing EV
Chargersby
Existing publicly accessible
electric vehicle chargers
33 chargers PlugShare2
y Year 2030 or 2045 year –
by Baseline year 2022 year –
Equation 6.1
Populationy Forecasted population in
region
See Table 18 people See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
Vehiclesby Vehicles in baseline year 27,195 vehicles Estimate based on Ukiah Zip Code1
Populationby Population in baseline year 15,929 people See references in Appendix GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
EV TargetPass,y Electric vehicle adoption
target
See Table 18 percentage Targeted zero-emission
vehicle adoption for
Measure T-4.
Notes: “-“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows
1. California Energy Commission. Light-Duty Vehicle Population in California. Accessed at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/datareports/energy-almanac/zero-emission-vehicle-and-infrastructure-statistics-collection/light
2. PlugShare. EV Charging in Ukiah, CA. Accessed at: https://www.plugshare.com/directory/us/california/ukiah. 79 Kampshoff, Philipp et al. Building the Electric-Vehicle Charging Infrastructure America Needs (2022). Accessed at:
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/public-sector/our-insights/building-the-electric-vehicle-charging-infrastructure-americaneeds
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Table 18 Publicly Accessible Electric Vehicle Charger Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Units 2030 2045
Equation 6.1
Populationy Forecasted population people 17,834 21,407
EV TargetPass,y Zero-emission vehicle adoption target percentage 30% 100% EVsy Electric vehicles targeted electric vehicles 9,134 36,547 Equation 6
PEV Chargersy New publicly accessible electric
vehicle chargers needed
chargers 223 990
Through public-private funding and partnerships, the City will facilitate the installation of 223 publicly accesible EV chargers by 2030 to support 9,134 EVs, and 763 additional publicly accessible EV chargers by 2045 for a total of 990 at prioritized locations on City-owned properties and across the community. The City of Ukiah will track the number of EVs in the City based on DMV data and will adjust the number of chargers necessary based on adoption rates. The City will play a key role in identifying strategic sites and providing support through direct funding and establishing streamlined permitting for EV charger installations (Actions T-4a and T-4b). The majority of these installations will be carried out through existing local (e.g., Ukiah’s Electric Vehicle Charger Rebate Program80), regional and state (e.g., Sonoma Coast Incentive Project81), and federal funding opportunities, as well as the potential pursuit of partnerships with private companies.
82 Additionally, these ZEVs will be supported by private electric vehicle chargers in new developments and existing buildings (Action T-4b).
Action T-4b directs the City to implement the Tier 2 voluntary measures of the California Green Building Standards Code—Part 11, Title 24, California Code of Regulations—known as CALGreen. Once locally adopted through a reach code in 2026, these Tier 2 requirements will be mandatory for new commercial and multifamily construction in Ukiah and require such buildings to install the minimum number of EV chargers based on the requirements (i.e., 20 percent of total parking spaces). Additionally, the City will adopt Tier 2 requirements for major commercial and multifamily retrofits through a reach code in 2026. These requirements will require major commercial retrofits to meet Tier 2 requirements for “EV Ready” charging spaces and infrastructure; and major multifamily building retrofits to install the minimum number of EV chargers based on Tier 2 requirements (i.e., 20 percent of total parking spaces).83 Action T4b will work to increase private EV chargers in new buildings. The City has a Level 2 EV Charger Rebate program in place,84 and Action T-4a directs the City to identify funding opportunities for multifamily residential vehicle charger installations. These funding options, along with federal and State funding will help cover the upfront costs to purchasing an EV and installing the equipment or infrastructure upgrades needed to charge the EV at home as high costs are one of the barriers to EV adoption for low-income households.85 Action T-4a also directs the City to identify opportunities for accelerated fleet ZEV adoption, supporting commercial vehicle conversions, as regulated by the ACF requirements. These Actions will enable the City to install as many privately owned EV chargers in existing buildings and new developments as practical to support a 30 percent passenger ZEV adoption and a 25 percent commercial ZEV adoption by 2030 and a 100 percent ZEV adoption by 2045. For the purpose of estimating GHG reductions, these percentages are made under the conservative assumption that the VMT reduction from ZEV adoption actions would occur after the active transportation and public transit actions with diminishing returns rather than have an aggregated effect on total VMT.
Table 19 shows the parameters and data sources that support GHG emissions reduction from the zero-emission vehicle adoption and Table 20 shows the calculations as outlined in Equations 7 through 7.2. 80 City of Ukiah. Electric Vehicle Offers & Information. Accessed at: https://ukiah.chooseev.com/promos/ 81 CALeVIP. Sonoma Coast Incentive Project. Accessed at: https://calevip.org/incentive-project/sonoma-coast 82 Public-private partnerships are expected due to the large amount of state and federal funding available to support California’s need for over one million public and shared chargers by 2030 to meet Executive Order B-48-18’s ZEV goals. 83 Major commercial retrofits include retrofits to commercial buildings with a square footage larger than 10,000 square feet or retrofits with modifications to electric service panels. 84 City of Ukiah. Electric Vehicle Offers & Information. Accessed at: https://ukiah.chooseev.com/promos/ 85 Gaillard, Isa. Ingredients for Equitable Electrification: Analyzing Equity in Statewide Electric Vehicle Rebate Programs (2022).
Accessed at: https://greenlining.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Greenlining-Ingredients-Equitable-Transportation-WebFINAL.pdf
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Zero-emission Vehicle Adoption Equations
Equation 7 CO2e ReductionVMT,i,y=(VMT ReducedICE,i,y*EFVMT,i,y)-(Elec Convertedi,y* EFelec,i,y*(1+LT&D)) Equation 7.1 Elec Convertedi,y =VMT ReducedICE,i,y*EPMZEV,i,y Equation 7.2 VMT ReducedICE,i,y=(VMTi,y-VMTalt,i,y)*(ZEV Adoptioni,y-ZEV Adoption Baselinei,y) Table 19 Zero-emission Vehicle Adoption Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 7
CO2e
ReductionVMT,I,y
VMT GHG emissions
reduction
See Table 20 MT CO2e Calculated
VMT
ReducedICE,I,y
Internal combustion engine
VMT reduced
See Table 20 miles Calculated
EFVMT,I,y Forecasted VMT emission
factor
See Table 20 MT
CO2e/mile
See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
Elec Convertedi,y Electricity from zeroemission vehicle conversionSee Table 20 kWh Calculated EFelec,I,y Forecasted residential
electricity emission factor
See Table 20 MT
CO2e/kWh
See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
LT&D Electricity transmission and
distribution loss percentage
4.12% Percentage See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
i VMT type Passenger,
commercial
– –
y Year 2030 or 2045 – –
Equation 7.1
EPMZEV,I,y Forecasted electricity usage
per mile of zero-emission
vehicles
See Table 20 kWh/mile See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
Equation 7.2
VMTi,y Forecasted total VMT See Table 20 miles See references in Appendix GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
VMTalt,i,y VMT reduction from
alternative transit methods
See Table 20 miles See Measures T-1 and T-2
ZEV Adoptioni,y Zero-emission vehicle
adoption target
— — —
ZEV
Adoptionpass,2030
— 30.00% percentage Measure T-4 target
ZEV
Adoptionpass,2045
— 100.00% percentage Measure T-4 target
ZEV
Adoptioncom,2030
— 25.00% percentage Measure T-4 target
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Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
ZEV
Adoptioncom,2045
— 100.00% percentage Measure T-4 target
ZEV Adoption
Baselinei,y
Zero-emission vehicle
adoption baseline
See Table 20 percentage See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
Notes: “-“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows Table 20 Zero-emission Vehicle Adoption GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Variable Definition Units VMT Type 2030 2045
Equation 7.2
VMTi,y Forecasted total VMT miles Passenger 150,757,738 197,679,597 Commercial 18,643,436 24,622,799
VMTalt,I,y VMT reduction from
alternative transit methods
miles Passenger 4,614,196 29,002,491
Commercial 0 0
ZEV Adoptioni,y Electric vehicle adoption
target
percentage Passenger 30.00% 100.00%
Commercial 25.00% 100.00%
ZEV Adoption
Baselinei,y
Electric vehicle adoption
baseline
percentage Passenger 6.58% 9.52%
Commercial 4.73% 24.62%
VMT ReducedICE,I,y Internal combustion engine
VMT reduced
VMT Passenger 34,226,818 168,677,106
Commercial 3,779,024 24,622,799
Equation 7.1
EPMZEV,I,y Forecasted electricity
usage per mile of electric
vehicles
kWh/mile Passenger 0.3681 0.3690
Commercial 1.2227 1.1606
Elec Convertedi,y Electricity from electric
vehicle conversion
kWh Passenger 12,599,302 62,248,262
Commercial 4,620,477 28,576,654
Equation 7
EFelec,I,y Forecasted electricity
emission factor
MT
CO2e/kWh
Passenger 0.0001501 0.0000000
Commercial 0.0001501 0.0000000
EFVMT,I,y Forecasted VMT emission
factor
MT
CO2e/mile
Passenger 0.0002970 0.0002580
Commercial 0.0011570 0.0009400
CO2e
ReductionVMT
VMT GHG emissions
reduction
MT CO2e Passenger 8,196 43,519
Commercial 3,650 23,145
Measure T-5: By 2030, electrify or otherwise decarbonize 12% of applicable SORE off-road equipment and replace 35% of fossil diesel consumption with renewable diesel in alignment with EO N79-20.
Measure T-5 aims for Ukiah to decarbonize 12 percent of small off-road engine (SORE) use in the community by 2030 and 100 percent by 2045 in alignment with CARB’s SORE Regulation. The measures also seek to substitute 35% of off-road diesel consumption with renewable diesel by 2030 in compliance with EO N-79-20. The primary Actions that enable this Measure include:
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• Action T-5a which directs the City to offer education and incentives for replacement of fossil-fuel based equipment with SORE zero emissions alternatives;
• Action T-5b which commits the City to align with and support CARB’s regulations requiring new sale small offroad equipment to be zero emission starting in 2024, and phase 2 of the regulation affecting the manufacture and sale of larger scale equipment such as generators and pressure washers by 2028; and • Action T-5c which directs the City to develop an outreach strategy to notify affected fleets, identify pathways to enforce and track compliance with the requirement for diesel vehicles over 25 horsepower to use R99 or R100 renewable diesel, such as through reporting requirements, and partner with regional fuel suppliers to procure renewable diesel.
Action T-5b directs the City to align with and support CARB’s regulations requiring that new sales of SORE be zero emission by 2024, in compliance with AB 1346. As defined by CARB, SORE are those equipment types with rated power at or below 19 kilowatts (i.e., 25 horsepower). Typical off-road vehicle and equipment types that use these engines include lawn and garden equipment, portable generators, and pressure washers.86 To track compliance with AB 1346 requirements and meeting goals established by Measure T-5, the City will monitor the public’s participation in the City’s SORE education and incentive program.
In 2030, gasoline and diesel used by these SOREs will comprise over 38 percent of the off-road vehicle and equipment fuel used throughout Ukiah.
87 SORE equipment have a median lifespan of 5 years or less, which means the majority of SORE equipment in Ukiah will likely need to be replaced by 2030.88 By providing education supporting compliance with AB 1346 (Action T-5b), the City will support the electric conversion of SORE off-road equipment at time of replacement. Additionally, the City will provide incentives for residents and businesses to replace their existing SORE equipment to further promote the transition to ZEV equipment alternatives (Action T-5a). Given the population of SORE equipment in the community, their median lifespan, and the expectation that only ZEV options will be available for purchase by 2030, a conservative goal of a 12% reduction in SORE fuel consumption is established for Measure T-5. This quantification focuses on 12 percent of applicable SORE rather than the full 38 percent that SORE comprises, to reflect that Action T-5b targets new sales rather than existing equipment across Ukiah.
In 2022, CARB also approved amendments to the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation that incorporates new requirements to use renewable diesel. Beginning January 1, 2024, all California fleets subject to this regulation are required to procure and only use R99 or R100 renewable diesel fuel in all vehicles subject to the Off‑Road Regulation, with some limited exceptions. This regulation applies to all self-propelled off-road diesel vehicles 25 horsepower or greater used in California and applies to vehicles that are rented or leased. Exceptions to the regulation include locomotives, commercial marine vessels, marine engines, recreational off-highway vehicles, combat and tactical support equipment, stationary equipment, portable engines, equipment used exclusively for agricultural operations, implements husbandry, and off-road diesel vehicles owned and operated by an individual for personal, non-commercial and non-governmental purposes.89 To align with the regulation, the City will monitor the retail supply of R99 and R100 as the performance standard for Measure T-5. As part of compliance tracking outlined in Action T-5c, the City may also partner with CARB to verify fleet compliance, leveraging CARB's requirement for fleets to affirm their adherence to the regulation. To further support fleet compliance, the City will develop an education campaign to provide fleets with resources for procuring drop-in renewable diesel fuel (Action T-5c).
As the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation is dependent on the availability of renewable diesel and does not require equipment turn-over, and the City will monitor retail supply to ensure only R99/R100 is available locally, it is anticipated that Measure T-5 will transition all of off-road diesel consumption subject to the regulation to the renewable alternative by 2030, or 35% of Ukiah’s total off-road diesel consumption. Renewable diesel that meets the 86 California Air Resources Board (CARB). (2021) SORE Applicability Fact Sheet. Accessed at:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/sore-applicability-fact-sheet. 87 Ukiah’s SORE fuel usage in 2030 was estimated by filtering CARB OFFROAD2021 model outputs (for Mendocino County in 2030) for horsepower ratings less than or less than 25 and attributing the resulting County-level annual fuel usage to Ukiah based on the attribution methodology used in the GHG inventory and forecast. The results were divided by the total estimated off-road fuel usage in Ukiah in 2030 to estimate the share, or percentage, of fuel usage attributable to SOREs. 88 CARB. 2020 Emissions Model for Small Off-Road Engines – SORE2020 (2020). Table 16. Accessed at:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/SORE2020_Technical_Documentation_2020_09_09_Final_Cleaned_ADA.pdf 89 California Air Resources Board (CARB). (2022). Final Regulation Order Amendments to Sections 2449, 2449.1, and 2449.2 Title 12, California Code of Regulations. Accessed at: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/barcu/regact/2022/off-roaddiesel/froa1.pdf
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required standards has an emissions factor that is approximately 70 percent lower than fossil-fuel diesel. 90 As
renewable diesel has a lower emissions factor, the increased use required by CARB will further help drive down offroad emissions in the Ukiah community.
Table 21 shows the parameters and data sources that support off-road ordinance GHG emissions reduction and Table 22 shows the calculations as outlined in Equations 8through 8.3.
Off-road Decarbonization Equations
Equation 8 CO2e Reductiony = Fuel AvoidedSORE,y * Weighted Efy Equation 8.1 Weighted EFy = CO2e Emissionsy/(FuelGas, y + FuelDiesel, y + FuelNG, y) Equation 8.2 Fuel AvoidedSORE,y = (FuelGas, y + FuelDiesel, y + FuelNG, y) *PropSORE*TargetSORE,y Equation 8.3 Fuel ReplacedDiesel,y = (FuelDiesel, y *(1-TargetSORE,y))*TargetDiesel,y Table 21 Off-road Decarbonization Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 8
CO2e
Reductionoffroad,y
Offroad fuel GHG
emissions reduction
See Table 22 MT CO2e Calculated
Fuel AvoidedSORE,y Off-road fuel avoided
from applicable SORE
equipment
See Table 22 gallons Calculated
Weighted EFy Weighted emission
factor for all off-road
fuels
See Table 22 MT
CO2e/gallon
See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast, and
Targets Technical Report
Fuel ReplacedDiesel,y Off-road diesel replaced
from applicable diesel
equipment >25 hp
See Table 22 gallons Calculated
EFRDiesel Emissions factor of
renewable diesel
0.00308 MT
CO2e/gallon
Neste (as recommended by
CARB)6
Weighted EFDiesel Emissions factor of
fossil fuel diesel
0.01047 MT
CO2e/gallon
Inventory
Equation 8.1
CO2e Emissionsy Forecasted off-road GHG
emissions
See Table 22 MT CO2e See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast, and
Targets Technical Report
FuelGas,y Forecasted gasoline use See Table 22 gallon See references in Appendix GHG Inventory, Forecast, and
Targets Technical Report
FuelDiesel,y Forecasted diesel use See Table 22 gallon See references in Appendix GHG Inventory, Forecast, and
Targets Technical Report
FuelNG,y Forecasted natural gas
use
See Table 22 gallon See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast, and
Targets Technical Report
90 As of February, 2023, CARB staff identified renewable diesel produced by Neste meets the regulatory requirements and standards for diesel quality (https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/chc-factsheet-renewable-diesel-r100-or-r99). Estimates in GHG emission reductions based on emission factors provided by Neste accessed at: https://www.neste.com/en-us/products-andinnovation/neste-my-renewable-diesel/product-information
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Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 8.2
PropSORE Proportion of fuel
attributable to SORE
equipment
38% percentage OFFROAD20211,2
TargetSORE,y Fuel use reduction target
for all off-road fuels
– – –
TargetSORE,2030 Fuel use reduction target
(2030)
12% percentage OFFROAD20211,2 and
direction of state goals (i.e.,
EO N-79-20).3
TargetSORE,2045 Fuel use reduction target
(2045)
100% percentage Based on compliance with
state goals established by EO
N-79-20.
Equation 8.3
TargetDiesel,y Fuel reduction target for
diesel off-road fuels
– – –
TargetDiesel,2030 Fuel reduction target
(2030)
35% percentage OFFROAD20211,4 and CARB
applicable regulations
requiring renewable diesel
fuel use (i.e., In-Use Off-Road
Diesel-Fueled Fleets
Regulation)5
TargetDiesel,2045 Fuel reduction target
(2045)
0% percentage Based on compliance with
state goals established by EO
N-79-20.
Notes: “-“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows
1. California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2024. Off-Road Emissions Inventory (OFFROAD2021). Available at:
https://arb.ca.gov/emfac/offroad/emissions-inventory/3f377c1f45fef7c154509eac6354b9086be9cdd9
2. Ukiah’s SORE fuel usage in 2030 was estimated by filtering CARB OFFROAD2021 model outputs (for Mendocino County in 2030) for horsepower ratings less than or less than 25 and attributing the resulting County-level annual fuel usage to Ukiah based on the attribution methodology used in the GHG inventory and forecast. The results were divided by the total estimated off-road fuel usage in Ukiah in 2030 to estimate the share, or percentage, of fuel usage attributable to SOREs.
3. California Air Resources Board (CARB). SORE Applicability Fact Sheet (2021). Accessed at:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/fact-sheets/sore-applicability-fact-sheet.
4. Ukiah diesel fuel usage in 2030 was estimated based on attributions established in the Ukiah 2022 GHG Inventory and by filtering CARB OFFROAD2021 model outputs for horsepower ratings greater than or equal to 25 and for equipment categories subject to the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation. The results were divided by the total estimated off-road diesel usage in Ukiah in 2030 to estimate the share, or percentage, of fuel usage subject to the In-Use Off-Road Diesel-Fueled Fleets Regulation which accounted for 35% of all diesel fuel use.
5. California Air Resources Board (CARB). (2022). Final Regulation Order Amendments to Sections 2449, 2449.1, and 2449.2 Title 12, California Code of Regulations. Accessed at: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/barcu/regact/2022/offroaddiesel/froa-1.pdf
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Table 22 Off-road Decarbonization GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Variable Definition Units 2030 2045
Equation 8.1
CO2e Emissionsy Forecasted off-road GHG emissions MT CO2e 3,639 4,108 FuelGas,y Forecasted gasoline use gallons 202,942 232,457 FuelDiesel,y Forecasted diesel use gallons 170,014 189,030 FuelNG,y Forecasted natural gas use gallons - -
Weighted EFy Weighted fuel emission factor MT CO2e/gallon 0.009756 0.009747 Equation 8.2
PropSORE Proportion of fuel attributable to SORE
equipment
percentage 38% 38%
TargetSORE,y Fuel use reduction target for all off-road fuels
percentage 12% 100%
Fuel AvoidedSORE,y Off-road fuel avoided from applicable SORE equipment
gallons 16,787 158,100
Equation 8.3
TargetDiesel,y Fuel use reduction target for all off-road fuels
percentage 35% 0%
Fuel ReplacedDiesel,y Off-road fuel replaced from applicable diesel equipment >25 hp
gallons 59,811 0
Equation 8
CO2e ReductionFuel Fuel GHG emissions reduction MT CO2e 606 1,541 Measure T-6: Decarbonize the municipal fleet in compliance with the California Advanced Clean Fleet Rule and EO N-79-20 off-road requirements.
Measure T-6 aims to electrify or otherwise decarbonize Ukiah’s municipal fleet in line with the State’s Advanced Clean Fleet Rule. To lead by example and align with State requirements, the City will implement its Sustainable purchasing policy by 2025 requiring all new and replacement municipal fleet vehicle purchases to be electric vehicles (EVs) or ZEVs, where commercially viable. The City will also conduct an audit of existing vehicles and their uses to design and implement a replacement schedule to comply with the California Advanced Clean Fleet rule, ensuring that 50% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle purchases are ZEVs beginning in 2024, and 100% by 2027. Additionally, the City will evaluate opportunities to procure renewable diesel for applicable jurisdiction-owned equipment and replace end-of-life off-road equipment with zero-emission alternatives where feasible in alignment with EO N-79-20 requirements. The City also recognizes the need to provide the necessary infrastructure to support this transition. It plans to obtain resources to install additional ZEV chargers and renewable fueling stations in municipal parking lots for use by the fleet, employees, and the public.
This measure will reduce GHG emissions from municipal operations and demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of transitioning to clean transportation technologies. While the strategies to decarbonize fleet vehicles will reduce GHG emissions, these emissions are already included as a subset of transportation sector emissions within the Ukiah Community GHG Inventory. This means the associated GHG emissions reduction are included within the community mitigation Measures (i.e., T-4 through T-5). Thus, to avoid potential double counting, this municipal mitigation measure is not counted towards the 2030 and 2045 targets.
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4 Sector WR: Water Resources
The City of Ukiah’s Water Resources strategy aims to optimize Ukiah’s water resources through sustainable practices in wastewater recycling, water conservation, and water use reduction. This approach includes ongoing updates to the Urban Water Management Plan, where the City’s water utility department and the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA) will outline demand reduction measures in compliance with the State’s Urban Water Management Planning Act established in the California Water Code. 91 As part of this strategy, the City will expand on
existing water management policies, collaborate with large water users, enforce landscape irrigation efficiency standards, and engage residents and businesses in sustainable water practices. Through these efforts, the City aims to strengthen water resource resilience and reduce per capita water consumption, ensuring sustainable water access for current and future generations.
Based on this approach, the CAP’s Water Resources Sector consists of the following Measure presented in Table 23.
The Measure is supportive (i.e., no GHG emissions reductions have been attributed) due to the potential for double counting of indirect GHG emissions reductions with the Building Energy Sector Measures. Energy is used at multiple stages of the water cycle, including extraction, treatment, distribution, and end-use activities like heating. Because of this interconnected relationship, conserving water can indirectly reduce energy demand, offering opportunities for resource efficiency and GHG emissions reductions. However, electricity consumption from residential and commercial building operations in the community is already accounted for under the Building Energy Sector, which will see efficiency upgrades (Measures BE-2 and BE-3) and emissions reductions from cleaner electricity generation and increased renewable energy procurement under Measure BE-1. Attributing GHG reductions from water conservation to the Water Resources Sector would risk double counting reductions already included under the Building Energy Sector. To avoid this overlap, GHG emissions associated with the Water Resources Sector are not quantified. The following subsection details the role of this supportive Measure.
Table 23 Sector WW: Water Resources GHG Emissions Reduction Summary Measure ID Measure
2030 GHG
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
Measure WR-1 Continue to implement wastewater recycling and water conservation projects and reduce per
capita potable water consumption.
Supportive Supportive
Total 0 0
Measure WW-1: Continue to implement wastewater recycling and water conservation projects and reduce per capita potable water consumption.
Measure WW-1 focuses on advancing Ukiah’s water conservation and wastewater recycling efforts to reduce per capita potable water consumption. Actions to achieve this goal focus on updating the Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) every 5 years to align with California’s Urban Water Management Planning Act, 92 as well as continuing to
require low-impact-development (LID) strategies for new development.
The updated UWMP will include demand reduction measures and, as needed, new actions to meet state requirements. Updating the UWMP may also include enhancing regional Water Shortage Contingency Plans93 to 91 California Department of Resources. 2024. Urban Water Management Plans. Available at: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/WaterUse-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Management-Plans 92 California Department of Resources. 2024. Urban Water Management Plans. Available at: https://water.ca.gov/Programs/WaterUse-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Management-Plans 93 California Department of Water Resources. 2025. Countywide Drought and Water Shortage Contingency Plans. Available at:
https://water.ca.gov/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/2018-Water-Conservation-Legislation/County-Drought-Planning
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enforce water waste restrictions, partnering with large water users to develop on-site reuse plans, and updating the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)94 in collaboration with builders and developers. Additional strategies involve encouraging dual-plumbing systems in new construction to utilize greywater or recycled water for irrigation, engaging with the community—particularly low-to-moderate-income residents—to promote water-saving incentives and programs, and adjusting water and wastewater rates to promote financial sustainability. Through these comprehensive efforts, Measure WW-1 aims to establish a sustainable approach to water use that supports the City’s conservation goals and water security.
Since Ukiah’s wastewater treatment plant is located within City limits and all its water comes from local sources, GHG emissions reductions are not quantified under this Measure due to the risk of double counting with Building Energy Sector GHG reductions from renewable and carbon-free electricity. Energy is used at multiple stages of the water cycle—such as treatment, distribution, and end-use—which creates an interconnected relationship where water conservation can reduce energy demand. However, GHG emissions and reductions from water energy consumption and conservation are anticipated to be partially captured through the Building Energy Sector Measures, which address energy efficiency and cleaner electricity procurement. This Measure still directly supports BE 1 – 3 by reducing energy consumption for water distribution and wastewater treatment. 94 City of Ukiah. 2024. ARTICLE 6. MODEL WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE ADOPTION. Available at:
https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Ukiah/html/Ukiah03/Ukiah0301-0600.html
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5 Sector SW: Solid Waste
The City of Ukiah’s Solid Waste strategy focuses on increasing diversion to reduce the amount of organic waste95 sent to the landfill and effectively using those diverted resources across the community. The Strategy aims to accomplish these goals by focusing on organic materials, along with the finished end products. In the landfill, organic waste decays without access to light or oxygen and produces methane (CH4) gas. In wildfire scenarios and/or when left unmanaged, woody and green waste produces carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Diverting organic waste from the landfill reduces the occurrence of this anaerobic decomposition, providing Ukiah with an important opportunity to reduce solid waste GHG emissions. Proper management of Ukiah’s natural resources from a land use and renewable energy perspective, reduces the occurrence of emissions and can contribute to carbon sequestration goals. After diverting and recycling this organic waste, the resulting finished end products (e.g. biochar, compost, blended soil amendments, biogas & digestate) can be utilized throughout the community to sequester carbon and/or provide renewable power. Thus, properly managing organic waste provides an important opportunity to develop Ukiah’s circular economy, reduce GHG emissions, and sequester carbon. Based on this approach, the CAP’s Solid Waste Sector consists of the Measures presented in Table 24. The following subsections detail the substantial evidence and calculation methodologies of the quantitative Measures.
Table 24 Sector SW: Solid Waste GHG Emission Reduction Summary Measure ID Measure
2030 GHG
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
Measure SW-1 Achieve and maintain SB 1383 requirements to reduce organic waste sent to landfills by 75% by 2030. 3,511 4,646
Measure SW-2 Achieve SB 1383 procurement requirements (0.08 tons recovered organic waste per person) by 2030. 190 228
Total 3,701 4,874
Measure SW-1: Achieve and maintain SB 1383 requirements to reduce organic waste sent to landfills by 75% by 2030.
Measure SW-1 aims for Ukiah to meet SB 1383 requirements to recover 20 percent of disposed edible food for human consumption and reduce landfilled organic waste—and its associated GHG emissions—75 percent from current levels by 2030. The primary Actions that enable this Measure include:
• Action SW-1a which commits the City to meeting the requirements of SB 1383 to reduce organics in the waste stream by 75% by 2030 through activities such as:
o Implementing enforcement and fees for incorrectly sorted materials; o Confirming adequate bin signage across commercial and residential areas of acceptable landfill, recyclable, and compostable materials;
o Identifying public areas for adding organics collection and recycling bins where needed; o Working with C&S Waste Solutions and MSWMA to conduct free food scrap collection pail giveaways and promote curbside organics collection service; and,
o Identifying long-term and alternate solutions for wastewater bio-solids and develop local, beneficial reuse, as well as obtaining resources to fund MSWMA staffing and capacity. 95 Organic waste, for the purposes of this CAP, includes food waste, green material, landscape and pruning waste, organic textiles and carpets, lumber, wood, paper products, printing and writing paper, manure, biosolids, digestate, and sludges. Accessed at:
https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/collection/#:~:text=Beginning%20in%202022%2C%20SB%201383,biosolids%2C%20digesta te%2C%20and%20sludges.
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These Actions encompass the activities the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) requires jurisdictions to conduct to comply with SB 1383.96 To monitor the progress toward compliance with SB1383 diversion requirements, the City will track the amount of funding acquired to increase staffing and capacity, as well as work with C&S Solutions and MSWMA to track organics diversion rates.
Currently, Ukiah is working with Cal Recycle to ensure communitywide compliance with SB 1383 requirements. The City of Ukiah, in partnership with its enterprise solid waste hauler, is already incorporating edible food recovery strategies and landfill/organics/recycling collection systems.97 Between now and 2030, the City needs to expand funding, staff, enforcement and keep developing their current programs. The City intends to identify funding solutions to support implementation of Action SW-1a, which aims to increase and expand upon the solutions already in place.
Continuing and completing these activities is thus expected to provide the levels of diversion, composting, and food donations needed to reduce Ukiah’s landfilled organic waste 75 percent by 2030. 98 This level of landfilled organic
waste reduction is expected to directly reduce solid waste disposal GHG emissions 75 percent because nearly all GHG emissions from the natural decay of solid waste in landfills come from organic waste.99 Table 25 shows the parameters and data sources that support the landfilled organic waste reduction GHG emissions reduction and Table 26 shows the calculations as outlined in Equation 9.
Landfilled Organic Waste Reduction Equations
Equation 9 CO2e ReductionLOW,y = CO2e Emissionsy*Reduction TargetLOW, y Table 25 Landfilled Organics Reduction Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 9
CO2e ReductionLOW,y Landfilled organic waste
GHG emissions
reduction
See Table 26 MT CO2e Calculated
CO2e Emissionsy Landfilled organic waste
GHG emissions
See Table 26 MT CO2e See references in Appendix
GHG Inventory, Forecast,
and Targets Technical
Report
Reduction
TargetLOW, y
Landfilled organic waste
reduction percent
75 percentage Estimated based on
compliance with
CalRecycle’s required
activities for SB 1383
compliance and GHG
emission factors for solid
waste.1, 2
y Year 2030 or 2045 – –
Notes: “-“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows
1. CalRecycle. SB 1383 Jurisdiction Responsibilities. Accessed at:
https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Docs/Web/119160#:~:text=Beginning%20in%202022%2C%20SB%201383,is%20automatic ally%20provided%20the%20service
2. According to the ICLEI U.S. Community Protocol, Appendix E, GHG emissions are generated by non-biologic wastes only if they are combusted.
96 CalRecycle. SB 1383 Jurisdiction Responsibilities. Accessed at:
https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Docs/Web/119160#:~:text=Beginning%20in%202022%2C%20SB%201383,is%20automatically%20 provided%20the%20service.
97 C&S Waste Solutions. Ukiah Waste Solutions. Accessed at: https://candswaste.com/locations/california/mendocinocounty/ukiah-waste-solutions/ 98 While SB 1383 technically mandates jurisdictions to reduce 75 percent of organics waste sent to landfills form 2014 levels by 2025, setting Measure SW-1 to 2030 gives the City time to develop and increase the necessary programs and initiatives to meet compliance.
99 According to the Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) U.S. Community Protocol for Accounting and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Appendix E – Solid Waste Emission Activities and Sources, GHG emissions are generated by nonbiologic wastes only if they are combusted.
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Table 26 Landfilled Organics Reduction GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Variable Definition Units 2030 2045
Equation 9
CO2e Emissions Landfilled organic waste GHG emissions MT CO2e 4,681 6,195 Reduction TargetLOW, y Landfilled organic waste reduction percent percentage 75% 75% CO2e ReductionLOW Landfilled organic waste GHG emissions reduction
MT CO2e 3,511 4,646
Measure SW-2: Achieve SB 1383 procurement requirements (0.08 tons recovered organic waste per person) by 2030.
Measure SW-5 puts Ukiah on a path to meet Ukiah’s SB 1383 procurement target by 2030 and maintain it thereafter.
SB 1383 requires each jurisdiction in California to procure recovered organics waste products to meet annual procurement targets developed by CalRecycle.100 Recovered organic waste products include compost, mulch, renewable energy generated from anaerobic digestion (e.g., transportation fuel, electricity, and gas for heating), and electricity generated from biomass conversion. While a jurisdiction has the option to procure any combination of recovered organic waste products to fulfill 100 percent of its procurement target, Ukiah aims to meet their procurement target primarily through the procurement of compost to leverage the carbon sequestration benefits it provides when applied to community lands. The primary Actions that enable this Measure include:
• Action SW-2a which directs the City to establish an implementation plan for meeting procurement requirements through:
o Enforcing compliance with SB 1383, aiming to exceed baseline requirements by establishing a minimum annual level of compost or mulch application on appropriate land throughout the region; o Maintaining procurement policies to purchase recovered organic waste products in accordance with SB 1383 requirements; and,
o Expansion/creation of community composting programs paired with community gardens.
This Action will allow the City to establish the supply and procurement of compost to meet their annual procurement targets. To monitor progress toward this goal and determine compliance with SB 1383 requirements, the City will continue to monitor the tons of organics procured and distributed to the community. Table 27 shows the parameters and data sources that support the annual procurement targets and landfilled organic waste reduction GHG emissions reduction associated with this Measure. Table 28 shows the calculations as outlined in Equation 10 through 10.1.
Compost Procurement Equations
Equation 10 CO2e Sequestrationy = (Composty * CSFCompost) * Compliance Targety Equation 10.1 Composty = Populationy * (Ratioprocure * CFcompost) 100 CalRecycle. Procurement Targets and Recovered Organic Waste Products. Accessed at:
https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/procurement/recoveredorganicwasteproducts/.
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Table 27 Compost Procurement Parameters and Data Sources Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 10
CO2e
Sequestrationy
Carbon sequestered from
compost procurement
and application
See Table 28 MT CO2e Calculated
Composty Compost procurement
required to meet organic
waste procurement
target
See Table 28 compost tons Calculated
CSFcompost Carbon sequestration
factor for mixed organic
compost application
0.23 MT CO2e/
feedstock ton
CARB1
Compliance Targety Compliance target with
procurement requirement
100% percentage State required compliance
with SB 13832
y Year 2030 or 2045 – –
Equation 10.1
Populationy Forecasted population See Table 28 persons See references in Appendix GHG Inventory,
Forecast, and Targets
Technical Report
Ratioprocure Organic waste
procurement required per
capita
0.08 feedstock
tons/person
CalRecycle’s Procurement
Calculator Tool3
CFcompost Conversion factor of
organics to compost tons
0.58 compost
tons/organic
waste tons
CalRecycle’s Procurement
Calculator Tool3
Notes: “-“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows
1. CARB. Method for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions from Diversion Of Organic Waste from Landfills to Compost Facilities (2017). Accessed at: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/classic/cc/waste/cerffinal.pdf.
2. CalRecycle. Procurement Targets and Recovered Organic Waste Products. Accessed at:
https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/procurement/recoveredorganicwasteproducts/.
3. CalRecycle. Procurement Calculator Tool. Accessed at: https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/slcp/reporting/.
Table 28 Landfilled Organics Reduction GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Variable Definition Units 2030 2045
Equation 10.1
Populationy Forecasted population people 17,834 21,407
Ratioprocure Organic waste procurement required per
capita
tons/people 0.08 0.08
CFcompost Conversion factor of organics to
compost tons
compost ton/
organic waste ton
0.58 0.58
Composty Compost procurement required to meet
organic waste procurement target
ton 828 993
Equation 10
Compliance Targety Compliance target with procurement
requirement
percentage 100% 100%
CSFcompost Carbon sequestration factor for mixed
organic compost application
MT CO2e/ton 0.23 0.23
CO2e Sequestrationy Carbon sequestered from compost
procurement and application
MT CO2e 190 228
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6 Sector CS: Carbon Sequestration
The City of Ukiah’s Carbon Sequestration strategy focuses on enhancing Ukiah’s ability to capture and store carbon through natural solutions and community-driven economic development. This includes preserving existing trees and planting at least 200 new trees annually, guided by an Urban Forest Master Plan and regular urban tree canopy studies. Additional efforts involve regenerative land and water management practices to optimize natural carbon storage, restore ecosystems, and conserve biodiversity, alongside pilot projects in carbon farming. To support sustainable economic growth, the strategy integrates climate action with local economic planning, fostering a resilient, circular economy and green job creation. A feasibility study on forest biomass-to-energy will evaluate opportunities for carbon sequestration, wildfire risk reduction, and regional economic benefits. Through this integrated approach, Ukiah strengthens its natural carbon sink capacity while promoting a sustainable, self-sufficient local economy. Based on this approach, the CAP’s Carbon Sequestration Sector consists of the Measures presented in Table 29. The table also indicates which Measures are quantitative and which Measures are supportive. The following subsections detail the substantial evidence and calculation methodologies of the quantitative Measures and the role of the supportive Measures.
Table 29 Sector CS: Carbon Sequestration GHG Emissions Reduction Summary Measure ID Measure
2030 GHG
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
2045 GHG
Emissions
Reduction
(MT CO2e)
Measure CS-1 Preserve existing trees and plant at least 200 new trees per year or an equivalent amount of high-emissions reduction potential land cover throughout the community, beginning in 2025 and through 2045.
149 1,635
Measure CS-2 Pursue opportunities to support the City’s sustainable economic development goals with an emphasis on circularity and creating green jobs within the region.
Supportive Supportive
Total 149 1,635
Measure CS-1: Preserve existing trees and plant at least 200 new trees per year or an equivalent amount of high-emissions reduction potential land cover throughout the community, beginning in 2025 and through 2045.
Measure CS-1 aims for Ukiah to preserve existing trees and plant at least 200 new trees per year, beginning in 2025 and through 2045. The primary Actions that enable this measure are:
• Action CS-1a which directs the City to prepare an Urban Forest Master Plan, update the Tree Management Guidelines and create a Tree Protection Plan to promote public tree health, enhancing resiliency, and increasing the environmental benefits and co-benefits of street trees and shading; • Action CS-1b which directs the City to optimize natural carbon sequestration through regenerative land and water management; and,
• Action CS-1c which commits the City to conduct carbon sequestration farming pilot projects within the community and across the City’s area of interest.
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The City will track progress toward tree planting goals established in this measure by annual monitoring of the number of trees planted and removed from urban tree stock. The City is already making progress toward these goals, as it has recently received a $1.4 million grant to plant 722 trees.101 While the measure also includes initiatives to increase and maintain carbon sequestration potential on natural and agricultural lands in addition to urban forestry, carbon sequestration quantification and tracking is a relatively new field of study with extensive science to be done. Therefore, even though carbon sequestration will play large role in meeting state and Ukiah’s carbon neutrality goals, communities are taking a conservative approach to carbon sequestration quantification as a starting point while the state develops more specific goals and guidance. Passed in 2022, AB 1757 directs the California Natural Resource Agency to determine carbon sequestration reduction targets by 2024 and develop a methodology to track them by 2025.102 Once that is completed, the City will integrate those goals and tracking methods within this measure and its associated actions and update them as needed. Until the State provides clear guidance on assessing carbon sequestration from natural and working lands, the GHG reduction potential of this measure is estimated based on the number of urban trees planted.
In the quantification for this Measure, a cumulative benefit of the planted trees was assumed. This is applicable to this Measure specifically, as Action CS-1a emphasizes not only the planting of trees, but also the maintenance and retention of the trees (i.e., Urban Forest Master Plan, Tree Management Guidelines, Tree Protection Plan). This Action manages Ukiah’s carbon stock, with carbon sequestration benefits increasing cumulatively as more trees are planted each year. Table 30 shows the parameters and data sources that support GHG emissions reduction from the zeroemission vehicle adoption and Table 31 shows the calculations as outlined in Equations 11 through 11.2.
Tree Plantings Equations
Equation 11 CO2e Sequestration = Ratetrees * CSFTree* Ne Equation 11.1 Ne = (Yn *(Yn + 1))/2
Equation 11.2 Yn = (YearT - Yearb)+1
Table 30 Tree Plantings Parameters and Data Sources
Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
Equation 11
CO2e
Sequestrationy
Carbon sequestered from
tree plantings
See Table 31 MT CO2e Calculated
Ratetrees Rate of trees planted per
year
200 trees/year Measure CS-2
CSFTree Carbon sequestration
factor for tree seedlings
0.035 MT CO2e/tree/
year
CAPCOA1
Equation 11.1
Ne Effective number of years
carbon is being
sequestered2
See Table 31 years Calculated
Equation 11.2
Yn Total number of years in
which trees are planted
See Table 31 years Calculated
Yearb Baseline tree planting year 2025 year Measure CS-1 101 Cal-Fire. 2024. Cal Fire Urban and Community Forestry, 2024 Inflation Reduction Act Awards Summary. Available at:
https://34c031f8-c9fd-4018-8c5a-4159cdff6b0d-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/calfire-website/what-we-do/grants/urbanand-community-forestry/grant-awards/ira_award-summary_9-20-- 2024_final.pdf?rev=fa68cc4f1e694240ba4b193fd9893b32&hash=82BA6A98AC24F7EEC5E480BA16A9DC9C 102 CARB. Assembly Bill 1757 (2022). Accessed at: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/2022-assembly-bill-1757-garcia-cristina-california-globalwarming-solutions-act-2006-climate-goal
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Variable Definition Value Unit Data Source
YearT Target emissions reduction
year
See Table 31 year –
Notes: MT CO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide; “–“ means either reference not applicable or see references for disaggregated parameter in the following table rows.
1 Default annual CO2e sequestration per tree per year with a maximum lifespan of 20 years per tree is 0.0354 MT CO2e/tree/year was obtained from CAPCOA. 2010. Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Measures. 2 The effective number of years of carbon sequestration represents the total cumulative years during which a given number of trees sequester carbon. Since the goal is based on the number of trees planted annually, this metric captures the cumulative sequestration time for each annual planting cohort. This calculation leverages the Gaussian summation principle, which simplifies summing sequences by recognizing patterns or symmetry, enabling efficient calculation of consecutive or structured series.
Table 31 Tree Plantings Reduction GHG Emission Reduction Calculations Variable Definition Units 2030 2045
Equation 11.2
Yn Total number of years in which trees are
planted
years 6 21
Equation 11.1
Ne Effective number of years carbon is
being sequestered
years 21 231
Equation 11
Ratetrees Rate of trees planted per year trees 200 200
CSFtree Carbon sequestration factor for tree
seedlings
MT CO2e/tree 0.0354 0.0354
CO2e Sequestration Carbon sequestration from tree
plantings
MT CO2e 149 1,635
Measure CS-2: Pursue opportunities to support the City’s sustainable economic development goals with an emphasis on circularity and creating green jobs within the region.
Measure CS-2 seeks to support Ukiah’s sustainable economic development by fostering a circular economy and creating green jobs in the region. This measure emphasizes integrating climate action strategies into Ukiah’s longterm economic development goals to build a more resilient, self-sufficient local economy. Actions under Measure CS2 include conducting a feasibility study to assess the potential of converting organic materials such as food and yard waste, woody biomass, and wastewater sludge to energy. The measure also calls for the development of a sustainable purchasing policy for municipal operations to prioritize local products, along with partnerships with businesses, community organizations, and nearby jurisdictions to establish reuse, refill, and repair programs that maximize resource use and reduce waste. While this Measure combines environmental responsibility with economic resilience, helping Ukiah achieve both climate and economic goals, it will not result in direct GHG emissions reduction, and therefore cannot be quantified. This Measure does still, however, directly support Ukiah’s CAP in increasing community responsibility and awareness.
Appendix E
Climate Change Scientific Context
63
E-1
Climate Change Science and Impact
Context
The Greenhouse Gas Effect and Climate Change
Earth’s climate is primarily driven by energy from the sun. When solar radiation reaches Earth’s atmosphere, part of it is reflected back into space, while the rest is absorbed by the planet's surface. The absorbed energy heats the surface, which then radiates heat back toward the atmosphere.1 Some of this heat escapes into space, but a portion is trapped by gases in the atmosphere known as greenhouse gases (GHGs).2 This natural process, called the greenhouse effect (see Figure 1), is essential for maintaining temperatures that support life on Earth. However, when elevated levels of specific GHGs prevent more heat from escaping, it leads to what is known as global warming—an effect characterized by hotter-than-average temperatures—and contributes to climate change phenomena such as more intense storms, prolonged droughts, extreme heat events, and rising sea levels.3 Human-caused climate change is well understood and widely accepted by the scientific community, with over 97 percent of climate scientists agreeing that the planet is warming and human activities are the root cause.4 Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities have increased atmospheric GHG concentrations from 280 parts per million (ppm) to over 410 ppm in just 150 years—a rate unprecedented in Earth's history.5 Current CO₂ levels are now higher than at any point in the past 800,000 years, driven by activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes.6
Climate change is already affecting both human and natural systems globally. Scientists have observed shrinking ice sheets, warming and acidifying oceans, rising global temperatures, reduced snow cover, sea level rise, and species extinction. These impacts pose significant risks, including flooding in low-lying areas, diminished freshwater supplies, disruptions to ecosystems, adverse public health outcomes, and a host of other environmental consequences.7 1 NASA. “The Causes of Climate Change,” Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Available: https://climate.nasa.gov/causes. 2 UCAR. “The Greenhouse Effect | Center for Science Education,” Available: https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/how-climateworks/greenhouse-effect. 3 IPCC. “Summary for Policymakers — Global Warming of 1.5 oC. Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/spm/. 4 NASA. “Scientific Consensus: Earth’s Climate Is Warming,” Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Available:
https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus.
5 J. Blunden and T. Boyer, “State of the Climate in 2020,” Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 102, no. 8. 2021. Available:
https://doi.org/10.1175/2021BAMSStateoftheClimate.1.
6 Ibid.
7 IPCC. “Impacts of 1.5°C of Global Warming on Natural and Human Systems,” Assessment Report 5. 2018. Available:
https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/chapter-3/
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Figure 1 Greenhouse Gas Effect
Source: National Resources Defense Council, https://www.nrdc.org/stories/greenhouse-effect-101 Globally, a warming trend is abundantly clear, with twenty-three of the hottest years on record occurring since 2000.8 The year 2023 was the hottest year on record since record-keeping began in 1880, and these trends are consistent across numerous monitoring agencies and data sets.9 NASA recorded July 2023 as the hottest month on record since 1880.10
8 NASA-GISS. “Land-Ocean Temperature Index (C): Global Mean Estimates Based on Land and Ocean Data”. Available:
https://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/graphs/graph_data/Global_Mean_Estimates_based_on_Land_and_Ocean_Data/graph.txt. 9 NASA. “Global Surface Temperature | NASA Global Climate Change,” Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet. Available:
https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature.
Climatic Research Unit (CRU). “Land Surface Air Temperature Variations Across the Globe Updated to 2019: The CRUTEM5 Data Set,” Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 126, no. 2. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD032352 Accessed:
10 https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-clocks-july-2023-as-hottest-month-on-record-ever-since-1880/
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Figure 2 Global Temperature Trends
Source: Climate Central, https://www.climatecentral.org/graphic/2023-earths-hottest-year-onrecord?graphicSet=Change+in+Global+Temperature+2023&location=CONUS&lang=en While climate change is a global phenomenon, the impacts are felt acutely at the local level, affecting various aspects of society including health outcomes, access to natural resources, infrastructure resilience, emergency response systems, tourism, and the frequency and severity of disasters. According to the IPCC, achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century is essential to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoiding the most severe consequences of climate change.11 To meet this critical goal, coordinated action is needed at all levels of society to significantly reduce GHG emissions.
Types of GHG Emissions
The IPCC lists the following GHGs: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), as well as chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride, which are collectively called fluorinated gases.12 Almost all the GHGs emitted in the United States each year consist of CO2, CH4, and N2O, while fluorinated gases make up the remaining emissions13. Because CO2, CH4, and N2O comprise a large majority of GHG emissions at the community level, these are the gases considered in this analysis.
Each GHG has a different propensity for trapping heat in the atmosphere, known as the global warming potential (GWP). GHGs also last for different periods of time in the atmosphere, ranging from a decade to several thousand years. Because all the GHGs have different characteristics, a standard unit is needed to compare the potential impact of different GHGs and allow them to be added up in an analysis. This is achieved by converting all GHGs into the standard unit known as a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), based on the amount of heat one metric ton (MT) of CO2 11 IPCC. “Summary for Policymakers — Global Warming of 1.5 oC”. Available: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/spm/. 12 Note: Fluorinated gases, which includes four main types: hydrofluorocarbons 8. (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), are man-made gases that can stay in the atmosphere for centuries and contribute to the GHG effect. Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. “Main Greenhouse Gases”. 2021. Available:
https://www.c2es.org/content/main-greenhouse-gases/. Accessed December 2021 13 Note: Ninety-seven percent of the annual GHG emissions consist of CO2, CH4, and N2O and fluorinated gases make up the remaining three percent of GHG emissions. US EPA. “Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks”. 2021. Available:
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks. Accessed: December 2021; World Resources Institute. “4 Charts Explain Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Countries and Sectors”. 2021. Available:
https://www.wri.org/insights/4-charts-explain-greenhouse-gas-emissions-countries-and-sectors.
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traps in the atmosphere. GWP for each GHG was drawn from the IPCC fifth Assessment Report (see Figure 3) 14 ,
which represents the best available scientific consensus and is consistent with the methodology outlined in the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan.
Figure 3 Greenhouse Gas Global Warming Potentials
14 IPCC. Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Available:
https://www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/02/SYR_AR5_FINAL_full.pdf.; and California Air Resources Board (CARB). “California’s 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan”. Available: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/ab-32-climate-changescoping-plan/2022-scoping-plan-documents.
Appendix F
Climate Action Plan City Plans Alignment
64
F-1
Climate Action Plan City Plans
Alignment
The Ukiah 2040 General Plan, as well as the 2024 City Council Strategic Plan, set the initial tone for climate action, sustainable development, and conservation of Ukiah’s natural resources. The Ukiah 2040 General Plan established a local goal “to create a more resilient community that is prepared for, responsive to, and recoverable from hazards created or made worse by climate change” and calls for the adoption of a Community Climate Action Plan (CAP).1 The City Council Strategic Plan provides a comprehensive framework that prioritizes focus on core functions and ensures City Departments are working together to meet the needs of our residents and businesses.
The following table lists the relevant 2040 General Plan implementation measures (2040 GP) and City Council Strategic Plan action items (CCSP) that are in direct alignment with emissions reductions Measures established in the Ukiah CAP.
City Plan Alignment1,2 Description
2040 GP AG-I Support Community Gardens. The City shall revise the Zoning code to streamline the regulatory permitting process to support the creation of additional community gardens within the City.
2040 GP AG-M Local Purchasing. The City shall research and prepare a local preference purchasing policy for future adoption to promote and support local preference purchasing policies for the City of Ukiah, local school districts and other institutions as a means to foster awareness and build relationships across the regional economy. 2040 GP ED-5 To ensure Ukiah’s long-term economic success and sustainability by diversifying and expanding tourist attractions.
2040 GP ES-A The City shall update its Hillside Ordinance periodically to provide regulations and provisions that balance hillside development and preservation. At a minimum the Hillside Ordinance shall: • Protect of natural terrain and hillside areas on the west side of Ukiah; • Promote habitat connectivity and scenic viewsheds; • Include development standards for grading, road and trail improvements, density, structure design and placement, clustering, erosion and sediment control, habitat preservation; and • Promote wildfire safety standards and site development regulations. 2040 GP ES-B Landscaping Standards The City shall update the Zoning Code to include landscaping standards to require drought-resistant and native plants. 2040 GP ES-C Open Space Management Revise the Zoning Code to include standards for maintaining open space and green areas within new developments.
2040 GP ES-E Prepare an Urban Forest Master Plan The City shall prepare an Urban Forest Master Plan that includes the types of trees appropriate for Ukiah and locations where the city would receive the greatest benefits of new trees. This plan should include trees within commercial and residential areas, as well as those at city parks and facilities. This plan shall be updated every five years.
2040 GP ES-F Tree Protection Ordinance The City shall review its Tree Management Guidelines and study the feasibility of preparing a Tree Protection Ordinance. 2040 GP ES-J Water Conservation Guidelines The City shall prepare guidelines for drought period water conservation strategies for residential zones.
1 City of Ukiah. 2022. 2040 General Plan. Available at: https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/202212_release/UKGP_EntireGP.pdf
F-2
City Plan Alignment1,2 Description
2040 GP ES-K Creek and Stream Protection Zone Establishment for New Development The City shall establish creek and stream protection zones for waterways that extend a minimum of 30 feet (measured from the top of a bank and a strip of land extending laterally outward from the top of each bank), with wider buffers where significant habitat areas or high potential wetlands exist. The City shall prohibit development within a creek and stream protection zones, except as part of greenway enhancement, including habitat conservation, bike and walking paths, wildlife habitat, and native plant landscaping).
City approval is required for the following activities within the creek and stream protection zones. 1. Construction, alteration, or removal of any structure; 2. Excavation, filling, or grading; 3. Removal or planting of vegetation (except for removal of invasive plant species); or 4. Alteration of any embankment.
2040 GP ES-L Erosion Prevention Program The City shall revise the Zoning Code to include design standards for new development that require riparian habitat integration into project design as a means of avoiding potential impacts of river sedimentation and lessening the effects of erosion.
2040 GP ES-M Adopt a Municipal Climate Action Plan (CAP) The City shall adopt a municipal Climate Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality for all municipal operations and meet State and City GHG emission reduction goals.
2040 GP HO-1b Continue the City’s Energy Efficiency Public Benefits Fund and renewable energy and energy efficiency rebate programs.
2040 GP HO-1d Continue providing informational materials to the public through the Green Building Information Center and at the public counter. Provide updated information regarding sustainable and green building practices and materials and provide information on the maintenance of residential units.
2040 GP HO-1e Develop standards and design guidelines for residential development in the Medium Density Residential (R-2) and High Density Residential (R-3), Community Commercial (C-1) and Heavy Commercial (C-2) zoning districts. Given the significant increase in the City’s RHNA over the next eight years, the City proposes to create development standards and design guidelines that would both facilitate development at the allowable densities and provide guidance and certainty in design standards to ensure quality housing is developed in the community.
2040 GP LU-A Downtown Pedestrian Improvements LU – 3.4 The City shall, in collaboration with interested public agencies and downtown businesses, prepare a study of potential sidewalk and streetscape improvements, including lighting, wider sidewalks, clearly marked pedestrian crossings, benches, landscaping, signage, sidewalk seating areas, and public art, to create a safe, convenient, and pleasant pedestrian environment Downtown.
2040 GP MO-C Right-of-Way Needs The City shall revise and update the projected street right-of-way needs for completion of the City’s future mobility network to ensure provision of complete streets and completion of the planned citywide bicycle and pedestrian networks.
2040 GP MO-D Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Performance Measures The City shall adopt criteria for assessing significant transportation impacts based on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) consistent with State CEQA Guidelines, incorporating best practices including guidance provided by the Governor’s Office of Planning & Research (OPR). 2040 GP MO-E VMT Modeling The City shall develop a model for assessing VMT for new development consistent with new VMT performance measures.
2040 GP MO-F TDM Program The City shall, in coordination with Caltrans and the Mendocino Transit Authority, amend the Development Code to include a menu of options to facilitate and encourage alternate modes of travel and transportation.
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City Plan Alignment1,2 Description
2040 GP MO-J Short-term Transportation Study The City shall complete a transportation study to make recommendations for the purpose of increasing the provision of multi-modal transportation facilities, enhancing safety, lowering the rate of collisions and reducing travel delays.
2040 GP PI-A Wastewater Annual Review The City shall annually review the wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system to ensure the financing structure and viability of the system.
2040 GP PI-E Solid Waste Reduction The City shall review existing programs, and study the feasibility of new or expanded programs related to waste reduction. These efforts should be coordinated with preparation of the City’s Climate Action Plan and incorporated where necessary.
2040 GP SF-U Cooperative Pest Management The City shall collaborate with state and federal land management agencies on pest and fuel management activities. 2040 GP SF-W Water Supply Infrastructure The City shall regularly assess the integrity of existing water supply infrastructure through water tests and inspections of water lines and prioritize developments in areas with adequate water supply infrastructure.
CCSP AI-1 Implement a housing plan that works to support the development of sustainable housing for all income levels.
CCSP AI-10 Provide ongoing education and active engagement of City staff, members of committees and commissions, contractors, consultants, residents, and independent community groups in alignment with the goals of improving environmental standards and promoting sustainable policies
CCSP AI-11 Address the climate implications of all policies and actions that come before the Ukiah City Council that have the potential to impact greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and disaster preparedness within the City CCSP AI-12 Continue to support Resolution 2022-44: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Ukiah Endorsing the Declaration of a Climate Emergency and a Call to Action to Restore a Safe Climate …and support the implementation of the related initiatives.
CCSP AI-13 Support the development and implementation of a Climate Action Plan CCSP AI-14 Determine current conditions, needs and opportunities, and focus on specific capital improvement projects for the following areas: Streets; Sewer; Storm Drains; Water; Electric; Landfill
CCSP AI-15 Conduct regular evaluation of utility rates to ensure sustainability of services CCSP AI-17 Prioritize the protection of the community’s investment in improved infrastructure.
CCSP AI-2 Responsively engage with our neighborhoods to align services with changing needs CCSP AI-21 Support and implement the participation agreement with the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District
CCSP AI-23 Support newly-developed partnerships with Ukiah Valley water agencies and finalize agreements to consolidate services for improved efficiency, capability and resiliency CCSP AI-30 Identify and support the development of public infrastructure needed to support growth CCSP AI-34 Continue to support the implementation of the Downtown Streetscape Improvement Plan
CCSP AI-36 Develop and implement an improved downtown parking plan CCSP AI-37 Continue to support the development of the Great Redwood Trail CCSP AI-38 Explore designs and plans to develop enhanced gateways into the city.
CCSP AI-4 Work to preserve, conserve, and protect the natural resources/features of the Ukiah Valley and open space
F-4
City Plan Alignment1,2 Description
CCSP AI-5 Develop a Complete Streets transportation network that enables safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
Note: GP = 2040 General Plan; CCSP = City Council Strategic Plan
1. City of Ukiah. 2022. 2040 General Plan. Available at:
https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/202212_release/UKGP_EntireGP.pdf
2. City of Ukiah. 2024. City Council Strategic Plan. Available at:
https://stories.opengov.com/ukiahca/published/XPsHTwWMYs
1 A Mediterranean climate lies between 30° north to 45° south of the equator. It is characterized by a dry and hot summer and a cool and rainy winter. It supports a dense population and robust agricultural activity. Most areas of the Mediterranean climate zone experience mild winters and warm summers with the temperatures changing considerably between the different regions of the climatic zone. It is characterized by irregular rainfall with most of the rainfall occurring in winter. 2 RESOLUTION 2022- 44 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH ENDORSING THE DECLARATION OF A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND A CALL TO ACTION TO RESTORE A SAFE CLIMATE found at: https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2022-44-Climate-Resolution.pdf 3 City of Ukiah 2040 General Plan found at: https://ukiah2040.com/ 4 See Appendix C - Final Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories Report for more information regarding the City’s GHG emissions 5 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 6th Assessment, AR6 Synthesis Report: Climate Change (2023) found at:
https://www.ipcc.ch/report/sixth-assessment-report-cycle/ 6 Indicators of Climate Change in California (Fourth Edition, 2022) found at:
https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/climate-change/document/2022caindicatorsreport.pdf 7 California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment found at https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/reports/californias-fourth-climate-change-assessment 8 State of California’s Priority Action Plan found at https://documentcloud.adobe.com/spodintegration/index.html?locale=en-us 9 CALIFORNIA’S NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS CLIMATE TARGETS found at https://documentcloud.adobe.com/spodintegration/index.html?locale=en-us 10 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality found at https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/2022-sp-es.pdf 11 U.N Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) found at: https://sdgs.un.org/goals 12 California Executive Order N-82-20 (2020) established a state goal of conserving 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 found at https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10.07.2020-EO-N-82-20-.pdf 13 The Environment and Sustainability Element evaluates environmental, biological, and agricultural resources, air quality, open space, and climate change and sustainability in Ukiah. It establishes policies and actions to protect and manage these resources including an emphasis on climate adaptation and sustainability, to protect the community. Found at https://ukiah2040.com/images/UKGP_06_PRD_ENV%20Element_2023%2002%2027.pdf 14 SMART goals are a goal-setting framework that help people plan and achieve their goals. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
15 The City of Ukiah has 5 core values; Professionalism, Service, Teamwork, Innovation, & Safety, found at https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Core-DEI-Statements.pdf 16 The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals are; 1) No Poverty, 2) Zero Hunger, 3) Good Health & Wellbeing, 4) Quality Education, 5) Gender Equality, 6) Clean Water & Sanitation, 7) Affordable & Clean Energy, 8) Decent Work & Economic Growth, 9) Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure, 10) Reduced Inequalities, 11) Sustainable Cities & Communities, 12) Responsible Consumption & Production, 13) Climate Action, 14) Life Below Water, 15) Life on Land, 16) Peace, Justice, & Strong Institutions, and 17) Partnerships for the Goals. Found at https://sdgs.un.org/goals 17 USGBC LEED Rating System found at https://www.usgbc.org/leed 18 Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR), “General Plan Guidelines - Chapter 8: Climate Change,” Available: https://opr.ca.gov/docs/OPR_C8_final.pdf 19 The Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) established under SB 375 recommends the following accounting of various trip types for VMT purposes 23:
Include 100% of internal-internal (I-I) trips Exclude external-external (X-X) trips Count 50% of internal-external (I-X) and external-internal (X-I) trips. Recommendations of the Regional Targets Advisory Committee (RTAC) Pursuant to Senate Bill 375. September 2009. https://www.fresnocog.org/wp-content/uploads/files/SB375/finalreport.pdf 20 As of December 2024, the U.S. EPA granted California a waiver for its Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) regulations, allowing enforcement of 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. Additionally, a waiver was approved for the Heavy-Duty Omnibus Regulation, mandating stricter emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-grants-waiver-californias-advanced-clean-cars-ii-regulations). In January 2025, anticipating potential challenges from the incoming federal administration, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew a waiver request for the Advanced Clean Fleets rule, which sought to establish timelines for commercial truck operators to transition to zero-emission vehicles (https://www.sidley.com/en/insights/newsupdates/2025/01/california-withdraws-epa-waiver-request-for-advanced-clean-fleets-regulations#:~:text=On%20January%2013%2C%202025%2C%20the,Clean%20Fleets%20(ACF)%20regulations) 21 Forecast of solid waste emissions excludes impact of meeting SB 1383 requirements. 22 CARB. 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2023-04/2022-sp.pdf 23 At time of development, 2021 was the most recent State GHG inventory available and was therefore used as the best approximation of emissions reduction compared to the State’s 1990 inventory. 24 The State carbon neutrality goal established by Assembly Bill 1279 considers carbon neutrality to be at least an 85 percent reduction in GHG emissions with the remaining fraction achieved through removals such as carbon sequestration. However, targets are set on a net- zero pathways to reflect that community-scale strategies will need to be employed to achieve sufficient carbon sequestration by 2045 and achieve carbon neutrality. 25 Kenney et al., (California Energy Commission (CEC). “California Building Decarbonization Assessment”. 2021. Available:
https://www.energy.ca.gov/publications/2021/california-building-decarbonization-assessment 26 Aas et. al., CEC. “The Challenge of Retail Gas in California’s Low-Carbon Future - Technology Options, Customer Costs, and Public Health Benefits of Reducing Natural Gas Use”. https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/CEC-500-2019-055-F.pdf 27 RMI. “Gas Stoves: Health and Air Quality Impacts and Solutions.” 2020. Available: https://rmi.org/insight/gas-stoves-pollution-health/ 28 Projects include the Urban Core Rehabilitation Project (UCRT), construction of Phases 1-3 of the GRT-Ukiah, as well as well as the Downtown Streetscape (Phases 1 & 2).
29 Low Impact Development (LID) refers to systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes that result in the infiltration, evapotranspiration or use of stormwater in order to protect water quality and associated aquatic habitat (https://www.epa.gov/nps/nonpoint-source-urban-areas) 30 Global Covenant of Mayors current guidance is to conduct GHG inventory updates every two years: globalcovenantofmayors.org End Notes
65
Ukiah Climate Action Plan
Final Initial Study – Negative Declaration
prepared for
City of Ukiah
300 Seminary Avenue
Ukiah, California 95482
prepared by
Rincon Consultants, Inc.
66 Franklin Street, Suites 352 & 357
Oakland, California 94607
May 21, 2025
ATTACHMENT 3
i
Table of Contents
Acronyms List.......................................................................................................................................................................iii Initial Study ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Proposed Plan Title...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Lead Agency/Plan Sponsor and Contact .................................................................................................................... 1 Plan Location and Physical Setting............................................................................................................................. 1 Existing Sustainability Setting ..................................................................................................................................... 4 General Plan Designation and Zoning ......................................................................................................................... 9 Description of Plan....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Cumulative Projects Scenario.................................................................................................................................... 19 Required Approvals .................................................................................................................................................... 19 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected ................................................................................................................... 21 Determination.................................................................................................................................................................... 21 1 Aesthetics ......................................................................................................................................................... 23 2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources ................................................................................................................ 27 3 Air Quality.......................................................................................................................................................... 30 4 Biological Resources........................................................................................................................................ 33 5 Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................................................... 38 6 Energy ............................................................................................................................................................... 40 7 Geology and Soils............................................................................................................................................. 43 8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ............................................................................................................................. 47 9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials .................................................................................................................. 49 10 Hydrology and Water Quality ........................................................................................................................... 53 11 Land Use and Planning..................................................................................................................................... 56 12 Mineral Resources............................................................................................................................................ 58 13 Noise ................................................................................................................................................................. 59 14 Population and Housing................................................................................................................................... 63 15 Public Services ................................................................................................................................................. 65 16 Recreation......................................................................................................................................................... 67 17 Transportation .................................................................................................................................................. 69 18 Tribal Cultural Resources................................................................................................................................. 72 19 Utilities and Service Systems........................................................................................................................... 74 20 Wildfire .............................................................................................................................................................. 79 21 Mandatory Findings of Significance................................................................................................................ 81 List of Document Preparers.............................................................................................................................................. 83 Tables
Table 1 Ukiah 2022 Communitywide GHG Emissions Levels.................................................................................. 10 Table 2 Ukah CAP Measures and Actions ................................................................................................................ 11 Table 3 Ukiah GHG Emissions Forecasts (MT of CO2e)........................................................................................... 17 Table 4 Targets Versus GHG Reductions ................................................................................................................. 18 Table 5 Cumulative Projects Scenario...................................................................................................................... 19 Table 6 Exterior Noise Compatibility Standards....................................................................................................... 60 Table 7 Human Response to Different Levels of Groundborne Vibration ............................................................... 61
ii
Figures
Figure 1 Regional Location ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Figure 2 Plan Location .................................................................................................................................................. 3 Figure 3 Ukiah GHG Emissions Projections and Targets .......................................................................................... 18 Appendices
Appendix A Sources, Health Effects, and Typical Controls Associated with Criteria Pollutants Appendix B Description of Greenhouse Gases of California Concern
iii
Acronyms List
AB Assembly Bill
ABAU Adjusted Business-as-Usual
AMSL above mean seal level
AoI Area of Interest
BAU Business-as-Usual
BMP Best Management Practices
CAA Clean Air Acts (state and federal)
CALGreen California Building Standards Code
Caltrans California Department of Transpiration
CAP Climate Action Plan
CARB California Air Resources Board
CCR California Code of Regulations
CDFW California Department of Fish and Wildlife
CEC California Energy Commission
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CFGC California Fish and Game Code
CGS California Geological Survey
CH4 methane
CO2 carbon dioxide
CO2e carbon dioxide equivalent
dB decibels
dBA A-weighted decibels
EIR environmental impact report
EO Executive Order
EV electric vehicle
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Administration
GHG Greenhouse Gas
HTA Humboldt Transit Authority
I Interstate
in/sec inches per second
Ldn day-night average sound level
LID low-impact development
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act
MCAQMD Mendocino County Air Quality Management District MCOG Mendocino Council of Governments
iv
MG million gallons
MGD million gallons per day
MPO metropolitan planning organization
MSWMA Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority
MT metric tons
MTA Mendocino Transit Authority
MWELO Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
N2O nitrous oxides
NCAB North Coast Air Basin
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
PFC perfluorocarbons
PM particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
PPV peak particle velocity
PV photovoltaic
RMS root mean square
ROG reactive organic compound
RTP Regional Transportation Plan
SB Senate Bill
SF6 sulfur hexafluoride
SO2 sulfur dioxide
SORE Small-Off Road Engines
SR State Route
SWPPP Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan
TAC toxic air contaminant
UCC Ukiah City Code
US U.S. Route
USEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency
USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service
UVSD Ukiah Valley Sanitation District
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
UWWTP Ukiah Wastewater Treatment Plant
VdB vibration decibels
VHFHSZ Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
VMT vehicle miles traveled
ZEV Zero Emissions Vehicle
1 Initial Study
Proposed Plan Title
Ukiah Climate Action Plan (CAP)
Lead Agency/Plan Sponsor and Contact
Lead Agency/Plan Sponsor
City of Ukiah
300 Seminary Avenue
Ukiah, California 95482
Contact Person
Katherine Schaefers, Planning Manager [email protected] Plan Location and Physical Setting
The Ukiah CAP would apply to all areas and plans and projects within the City of Ukiah limits. Figure 1 shows the regional location, and Figure 2 shows the plan location.1 Regional Location and Setting
The City of Ukiah (Ukiah) is located at the base of the Ukiah Valley, approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco, within Mendocino County. The Ukiah Valley is approximately nine miles long, running north to south, comprising more than 40,000 acres along U.S. Route (US) 101. The Russian River follows the Valley, winding through agricultural lands just outside of Ukiah to the east. The valley is approximately 630 feet in elevation, with the hills of the Mendocino and Mayacamas ranges that flank the valley reaching up to 3,000 feet in elevation. Located 45 miles north of Healdsburg and 155 miles south of Eureka, the City of Ukiah spans more than 3,000 acres (4.6 square miles).2 Regional access to Ukiah is provided by US 101, a north-south highway which runs through the eastern portion of Ukiah. Ukiah is also served by public transit facilities, including Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA), Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA), and Amtrak bus. Bus transit routes include the following:
• MTA Route 7 providing a direct connection between north and south Ukiah • MTA Route 9 offering stops throughout Ukiah
• MTA Route 65 connecting Willits, Ukiah, and Santa Rosa • MTA Route 20 connecting Willits and Ukiah
• MTA Route 75 connecting Ukiah to the South Mendocino coast3 • HTA Redwood Coast Express connecting Ukiah to Willits, Laytonville, Leggett, Garberville, Fortuna, and Eureka4 1 Note that the City boundaries shown in Figures 1 and 2 reflect the boundaries utilized in developing the CAP 2022 GHG Emissions Inventory and forecasts. However, in late 2024, the City annexed additional areas and the City boundary has expanded slightly from what is shown in the figures herein.
2 City of Ukiah. 2040 General Plan. https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/202212_release/UKGP_EntireGP.pdf (accessed January 2025).
3 MTA. 2025. Maps and Schedules. https://mendocinotransit.org/maps-and-schedules/ (accessed January 2025). 4 HTA. 2025. North State Express: Route 101. https://hta.org/north-state-express/ (accessed January 2025).
2 Figure 1 Regional Location
3 Figure 2 Plan Location
4 There is also an Amtrak bus stop in Ukiah at 250 North Orchard Avenue. Ukiah also has a system of bike lanes and sidewalks throughout the City, which are particularly robust through the downtown and surrounding areas. The City of Ukiah has also constructed three segments of the “Great Redwood Trail,” a 320- mile multi-use trail in a former railroad right-of-way that will eventually connect San Francisco and Humboldt bays. The trail runs north to south through central Ukiah for approximately 0.8 miles and provides bike and pedestrian access along three segments.
Plans for the fourth phase of the of the Ukiah portion of the Great Redwood Trail were recently approved, and once constructed will extend the trail to Plant Road in the south of the City.5 Dedicated bicycle facilities in Ukiah include approximately two miles of shared-use paths and approximately 8 miles of on-street bicycle lanes, including segments of Bush, Dora, Orchard and Gobi Streets.6 In addition, the City is accessible by airplane, and the Ukiah Municipal Airport is located approximately one mile south of the City boundaries.
Local Setting
Ukiah is located within the Ukiah Valley. The landscape of Ukiah is generally flat along its central portion, ranging from approximately 600 feet above mean seal level (amsl) at its southern extent to approximately 660 feet amsl at its northern extent. The hillsides flanking the City to the west can reach up to 2,650 feet amsl, while the hillsides flanking the City to the east can reach up to approximately 3,400 feet amsl. Ukiah is located within the Upper Russian River Valley watershed. Creeks and streams offer some drainage channels in the region, but the majority of surface runoff and waters washed from the hillside slopes generally enter the City’s stormwater systems that ultimately drain into the Russian River, which then drains to the Pacific Ocean.7 The City of Ukiah was incorporated in 1876 and was designated as the seat of Mendocino County. Ukiah is the largest city in Mendocino County, with approximately 16,108 residents as of 2024.8 Ukiah’s existing land use pattern is shaped by the surrounding topography and circulation patterns. Primary land uses include residential (approximately 33 percent), public (approximately 19 percent), commercial (approximately 12 percent), and parks and open space (approximately 10 percent).
Ukiah is characterized by hot arid summers and cooler winters. Most of the annual precipitation in Ukiah occurs in the cool season, between November and April. The warm season lasts from approximately April to late October with an average daily high temperature above 85°F. The cool season lasts from approximately November to March with a daily high temperature below 68°F.9 The warmest month of the year in Ukiah is July, while the coldest month of the year is December.
Existing Sustainability Setting
Ukiah Sustainability and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Efforts
The City has actively implemented a variety of environmental programs contributing to GHG emissions reductions.
The following is a listing of Ukiah’s recent sustainability and climate protection programs and policies:
• Draft Ukiah Climate Action Plan developed (2014)
• Resolution endorsing the declaration of a climate emergency (2022) • Ukiah 2040 General Plan Environment and Sustainability Element adopted (2022) 5 Ukiah, City of. 2025. Great Redwood Trail Ukiah- Phase 4. https://cityofukiah.com/great-redwood-trail-ukiah-phase-4/ (accessed January 2025).
6 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report. https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/Ukiah_2040_Draft_EIR_with_Appendices.pdf (accessed January 2025). 7 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report. https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/Ukiah_2040_Draft_EIR_with_Appendices.pdf (accessed January 2025). 8 California Department of Finance. 2024. E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State, 2020-2024. https://dof.ca.gov/forecasting/demographics/estimates/e-5-population-and-housing-estimates-for-cities-counties-and-the-state2020-2024/ (accessed January 2025). 9 Weather Spark. 2025. Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Ukiah. https://weatherspark.com/y/368/Average-Weather-inUkiah-California-United-States-Year-Round (accessed January 2025).
5 • Ukiah 2022 Community GHG Emissions Inventory finalized (2024) • Recycled Water and Complete Streets infrastructure projects completed (2024) • Climate Adaptation and Resilience Division established (2024)10 Regional Sustainability and GHG Reduction Efforts
In coordination with Mendocino County, the State of California, and the federal government, the City of Ukiah has committed to implementing regional and State policies related to GHG emissions reductions. As follows is a summary of the existing regional GHG emissions reduction efforts, which the CAP is intended to be consistent with. 2022 Regional Transportation Plan & Active Transportation Plan The Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) is the regional planning agency for Mendocino County, and addresses regional issues relating to transportation, the economy, community development and the environment. In 2022, MCOG adopted the 2022 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Active Transportation Plan. The 2022 RTP and Active Transportation Plan is a long-range plan containing strategies for operating, managing, maintaining, and financing the area’s transportation system in such a way as to advance the long-term societal goals of the communities of Mendocino County and the State of California. The 2022 RTP and Active Transportation Plan emphasizes a strategy of investing transportation funds to bring greater mobility and access to services for all residents – including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and drivers. The 2022 RTP and Active Transportation Plan aims to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and result in less emissions GHGs. 11 State Sustainability and GHG Reduction Efforts
As follows is a summary of existing State GHG emissions reduction efforts, which the CAP is intended to be consistent with.
GHG Reduction Regulations
CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 32, CALIFORNIA GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION SOLUTIONS ACT UPDATE In 2016, SB 32 was passed, extending AB 32 by requiring further reduction in Statewide GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (the other provisions of AB 32 remain unchanged). On December 14, 2017, CARB adopted the 2017 Scoping Plan, which provided a framework for achieving the 2030 target. The 2017 Scoping Plan relied on the continuation and expansion of existing policies and regulations, such as the Cap-and-Trade Program, as well as implementation of other adopted regulations and policies, such as SB 350 and SB 1383.
ASSEMBLY BILL 1279
In September 2022, AB 1279 was approved, which established a legally binding requirement for California to achieve and maintain carbon neutrality no later than 2045. AB 1279 also established the requirement to achieve a Statewide reduction in GHG emissions of 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2045. This indicates that the remaining 15 percent to achieve carbon neutrality can be achieved via carbon sequestration and other non-direct-GHG-emissions-reductions techniques.
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE CHANGE SCOPING PLAN UPDATE (2022)
In response to the passage of AB 1279 and the identification of the 2045 GHG reduction target, CARB adopted the Final 2022 Climate Change Scoping Plan in November 2022. The 2022 Update builds upon the framework established by the 2008 Climate Change Scoping Plan and previous updates while identifying new, technologically feasible, cost-effective, and equity-focused path to achieve California’s climate target. The 2022 Update includes policies to achieve a significant reduction in fossil fuel combustion, further reductions in short-lived climate pollutants, support for sustainable development, increased action in natural working lands to reduce emissions and 10 Ukiah, City of. 2025. Climate Adaptation and Resilience. https://cityofukiah.com/climate-resilience/ (accessed January 2025). 11 MCOG. 2022. 2022 RTP and Active Transportation Plan. https://www.mendocinocog.org/files/653d21e36/2022+RTPATP+Feb+2022-Final+Adopted.pdf (accessed January 2025).
6 sequester carbon, and the capture and storage of carbon. The 2022 Update assesses the progress California is making toward reducing its GHG emissions by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, as called for in SB 32 and laid out in the 2017 Scoping Plan, addresses recent legislation and direction from Governor Newsom, extends and expands upon these earlier plans, and implements a target of reducing anthropogenic emissions to 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2045, as well as taking an additional step of adding carbon neutrality as a science-based guide for California’s climate work.12
Energy--Related Regulations
CALIFORNIA ENERGY EFFICIENCY STRATEGIC PLAN
In 2008, the California Public Utilities Commission adopted California’s first Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan, presenting a single roadmap to achieve maximum energy savings across all major groups and sectors in California. The Strategic Plan was subsequently updated in January 2011 to include a lighting chapter. The Strategic Plan sets goals of all new residential construction and all new commercial construction in California to be zero net energy by 2030, respectively. In 2018, the California Energy Commission voted to adopt a policy requiring all new homes in California to incorporate rooftop solar. Additionally, the Strategic Plan sets goals of 50 percent of existing commercial buildings to be retrofitted to zero net energy by 2030.
CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS TITLE 24 (CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE) Updated every three years through a rigorous stakeholder process, Title 24 of the CCR requires California homes and businesses to meet strong energy efficiency measures, thereby lowering their energy use. Title 24 contains numerous subparts, including Part 1 (Administrative Code), Part 2 (Building Code), Part 3 (Electrical Code), Part 4 (Mechanical Code), Part 5 (Plumbing Code), Part 6 (Energy Code), Part 8 (Historical Building Code), Part 9 (Fire Code), Part 10 (Existing Building Code), Part 11 (Green Building Standards Code), Part 12 (Referenced Standards Code). The California Building Code is applicable to all development in California. (Health and Safety Code Section 17950 and 18938(b).)
The regulations receive input from members of industry, as well as the public, with the goal of "[r]educing of wasteful, uneconomic, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy." (Public Resources Code Section 25402.) These regulations are carefully scrutinized and analyzed for technological and economic feasibility (Public Resources Code Section 25402(d)) and cost effectiveness (Public Resources Code Section 25402(b)(2) and (b)(3)). The 2022 Title 24 standards went into effect on January 1, 2023.
Part 6 – Building Energy Efficiency Standards
CCR Title 24 Part 6 is the Building Energy Efficiency Standards. This code, originally enacted in 1978, establishes energy-efficiency standards for residential and non-residential buildings in order to reduce California’s energy demand. The Building Energy Efficiency Standards is updated periodically to incorporate and consider new energyefficiency technologies and methodologies as they become available. New construction and major renovations must demonstrate their compliance with the current Building Energy Efficiency Standards through submission and approval of a Title 24 Compliance Report to the local building permit review authority and the California Energy Commission.
Part 11 – California Green Building Standards
The California Green Building Standards Code, referred to as CALGreen, was added to Title 24 as Part 11, first in 2009 as a voluntary code, which then became mandatory effective on January 1, 2011 (as part of the 2010 California Building Standards Code). The 2022 CALGreen includes mandatory minimum environmental performance standards for all ground-up new construction of residential and non-residential structures. It also includes voluntary tiers with stricter environmental performance standards for these same categories of residential and non-residential buildings.
Local jurisdictions must enforce the minimum mandatory CALGreen standards and may adopt additional amendments for stricter requirements.
12 CARB. 2022. 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/2022-sp.pdf (accessed January 2025).
7 The mandatory standards applicable to air quality require:
• Minimum 20 percent reduction in indoor water use relative to specified baseline levels;13 • Waste Reduction:
o Minimum 65 percent non-hazardous construction/demolition waste diverted from landfills; o Non-residential and multi-family dwellings with five or more units: Provide readily accessible areas identified for the depositing, storage and collection of nonhazardous materials for recycling, including (at a minimum) paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastic, organic waste, and metals; and/or o Non-residential: Reuse and/or recycling of 100 percent of trees, stumps, rocks, and associated vegetation soils resulting from primary land clearing;
• Inspections of energy systems to ensure optimal working efficiency; • Low-pollutant emitting exterior and interior finish materials such as paints, carpets, vinyl flooring, and particleboards; and
• EV Charging for New Construction:14
o One- and two-family dwellings and town houses with attached private garages: Dedicated circuitry to facilitate installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging; o Multi-family dwellings and hotels/motels with less than 20 units/rooms: Designation of at least 10 percent of the total number of parking spaces shall be EV capable and at least 25 percent of the total number of parking spaces shall be EV-ready;
o Multi-family dwellings and hotels/motels with greater than 20 units/rooms: Designation of at least 10 percent of the total number of parking spaces shall be EV capable, at least 25 percent of the total number of parking spaces shall be EV-ready, and at least 5 percent of the total number of parking spaces shall be equipped with a Level 2 charging station;
o Non-residential land uses shall comply with the following EV charging requirements based on the number of passenger vehicle parking spaces:
– 0-9: no EV capable spaces or charging stations required; – 10-25: 4 EV capable spaces but no charging stations required; – 26-50: 8 EV capable spaces of which 2 must be equipped with charging stations; – 51-75: 13 EV capable spaces of which 3 must be equipped with charging stations; – 76-100: 17 EV capable spaces of which 4 must be equipped with charging stations; – 101-150: 25 EV capable spaces of which 6 must be equipped with charging stations; – 151-200: 35 EV capable spaces of which 9 must be equipped with charging stations; and – More than 200: 20 percent of the total available parking spaces of which 25 percent must be equipped with charging stations;
o Non-residential land uses shall comply with the following EV charging requirements for medium- and heavyduty vehicles: warehouses, grocery stores, and retail stores with planned off-street loading spaces shall install EV supply and distribution equipment, spare raceway(s) or busway(s) and adequate capacity for transformer(s), service panel(s), or subpanel(s) at the time of construction based on the number of offstreet loading spaces as indicated in Table 5.106.5.4.1 of the California Green Building Standards; • Bicycle Parking:
o Non-residential short-term bicycle parking for projects anticipated to generate visitor traffic: permanently anchored bicycle racks within 200 feet of visitor entrance for 5 percent of new visitor motorized vehicle parking spaces with a minimum of one 2-bike capaCity rack; and/or 13 Similar to the compliance reporting procedure for demonstrating Energy Code compliance in new buildings and major renovations, compliance with the CALGreen water reduction requirements must be demonstrated through completion of water use reporting forms. Buildings must demonstrate a 20 percent reduction in indoor water use by either showing a 20 percent reduction in the overall baseline water use as identified in CALGreen or a reduced per-plumbing-fixture water use rate. 14 EV Capable = a vehicle space with electrical panel space and load capacity to support a branch circuit and necessary raceways to support EV charging; EV-ready = a vehicle space which is provided with a branch circuit and any necessary raceways to accommodate EV charging stations, including a receptacle for future installation of a charger (see 2022 California Green Building Standard Code, Title 24 Part 11 for full explanation of mandatory measures, including exceptions).
8 o Non-residential buildings with tenant spaces of 10 or more employees/tenant-occupants: secure bicycle parking for 5 percent of the employee/tenant-occupant vehicle parking spaces with a minimum of one bicycle parking facility.
• Shade Trees (Non-Residential):
o Surface parking: minimum No. 10 container size or equal shall be installed to provide shade over 50 percent of the parking within 15 years (unless parking area covered by appropriate shade structures and/or solar); o Landscape areas: minimum No. 10 container size or equal shall be installed to provide shade of 20 percent of the landscape area within 15 years; and/or
o Hardscape areas: minimum No. 10 container size or equal shall be installed to provide shade of 20 percent of the landscape area within 15 years (unless covered by applicable shade structures and/or solar or the marked area is for organized sports activities).
SENATE BILL 350, CLEAN ENERGY AND POLLUTION REDUCTION ACT OF 2015 In 2015, SB 350 established new clean energy, clean air, and GHG reduction goals for 2030 and beyond. SB 350 codified Governor Brown’s aggressive clean energy goals and established the State 2030 GHG reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels. To achieve this goal, SB 350 increases California’s renewable electricity procurement goal from 33 percent by 2020 (legislation originally enacted in 2002) to 50 percent by 2030. Renewable resources include wind, solar, geothermal, wave, and small hydroelectric power. In addition, SB 350 requires the State to double Statewide energy efficiency savings in electricity and natural gas end uses by 2030 from a base year of 2015.
SENATE BILL 1020, CLEAN ENERGY, JOBS, AND AFFORDABILITY ACT OF 2022 Established in 2002 under SB 1078, and accelerated by SB 107 (2006), SB X 1-2 (2011), SB 100 (2018), and SB 1020, California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) obligates investor-owned utilities, energy service providers, and community choice aggregators to transition the electricity supply to renewable resources. The RPS requires energy service providers to supply renewable energy as follows: 90 percent of retail sale electricity and 100 percent of electricity procured to serve state agencies by 2035, 95 percent by 2040, and 100 percent by 2045. The California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission (CEC) are jointly responsible for implementing the program.
Transportation-Related Regulations
ASSEMBLY BILL 1493, PAVLEY BILL VEHICLE EFFICIENCY STANDARDS In 2002, the California State Legislature enacted Assembly Bill 1493 (aka “the Pavley Bill”), which directs the CARB to adopt standards that will achieve "the maximum feasible and cost-effective reduction of GHG emissions from motor vehicles," taking into account environmental, social, technological, and economic factors. In September 2009, CARB adopted amendments to the “Pavley” regulations to reduce GHG emissions in new passenger vehicles from 2009 through 2016. The Pavley Bill is considered to be the national model for vehicle emissions standards. In January of 2012, CARB approved a new emissions control program for vehicle model years 2017 through 2025. The program combines the control of smog, soot, and GHGs and the requirement for greater numbers of zero emission vehicles into a single package of standards called Advanced Clean Cars.
CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 375, SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND CLIMATE PROTECTION ACT In 2008, Senate Bill (SB) 375 enhanced the State’s ability to reach AB 32 targets by CARB to develop regional GHG emissions reduction targets to be achieved from passenger vehicles for 2020 and 2035. In addition, SB 375 directs each of the State’s 18 major Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) to prepare a sustainable communities strategy that contains a growth strategy to meet such regional GHG emissions reduction targets for inclusion in the respective regional transportation plan (RTP). On March 22, 2018, CARB adopted updated regional targets for reducing GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2020 and 2035. MCOG is not one of the 18 MPOs required to implement a sustainable communities strategy and was not assigned GHG emissions reductions targets by CARB.
9 SENATE BILL 1275, CHARGE AHEAD INITIATIVE
In 2014, SB 1275 established a State goal of one million zero-emissions and near-zero-emissions vehicles in service by 2020 and directed CARB to develop a long-term funding plan to meet this goal. SB 1275 also established the Charge Ahead California Initiative requiring planning and reporting on vehicle incentive programs and increasing access to and benefits from zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) for disadvantaged, low- and moderate-income communities and consumers.
Water-Related Regulations
WATER CONSERVATION ACT OF 2009 (SENATE BILL X7-7)
In November 2009, the California State Legislature passed and the Governor approved a comprehensive package of water legislation, including the Water Conservation Act of 2009 (SB X7-7; CA Water Code Sections 10608-10688.44) addressing water conservation. In general, SB X7-7 required a 20 percent reduction in per capita urban water use by 2020, with an interim 10 percent target in 2015. California exceeded the required per capita reduction, in which per capita urban water use was reduced by 32 percent15. The legislation also requires urban water users to develop consistent water use targets and to use those targets in their UWMPs.
Waste-Related Regulations
ASSEMBLY BILL 1826
AB 1826 requires jurisdictions to implement an organic waste recycling program for businesses, including outreach, education, and monitoring of affected businesses. AB 1826 defines “organic waste” as food waste, green waste, landscape and pruning waste, nonhazardous wood waste, and food-soiled paper waste that is mixed in with food waste. It also defines a “business” as a commercial or public entity, including, but not limited to, a firm, partnership, proprietorship, joint stock company, corporation, or association that is organized as a for-profit or nonprofit entity, or a multi-family residential dwelling consisting of five or more units. As of January 1, 2017, businesses that generate 4 cubic yards or more of organic waste per week are subject to this requirement. Commencing January 1, 2019, businesses that generate 4 cubic yards or more of commercial solid waste per week also are required to arrange for organic waste recycling services. In September 2020, CalRecycle reduced this threshold to 2 cubic yards of solid waste (i.e., total of trash, recycling, and organics) per week generated by covered businesses.
ASSEMBLY BILL 341
The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, as modified by AB 341 in 2011, requires each jurisdiction’s source reduction and recycling element to include an implementation schedule that shows: (1) diversion of 25 percent of all solid waste by January 1, 1995, through source reduction, recycling, and composting activities and (2) diversion of 50 percent of all solid waste on and after January 1, 2000.
General Plan Designation and Zoning
The CAP would be implemented throughout the City and would occur in all General Plan and zoning designations.
Description of Plan
The proposed CAP incorporates the many climate protection programs noted above under Existing Sustainability Setting that would continue to reduce GHG emissions. The City has developed the CAP in order to achieve several future targets, including reducing GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and putting Ukiah on a 15 California Department of Water Resources. 2023. Status of 2020 Urban Water Management Plans – A Report to the Legislature pursuant to Section 10644 of the California Water Code. https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/WaterUse-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency/Legislative-Reports/Status-of-2020-Urban-Water-Management-Plans-Report-toLegislature.pdf (accessed November 2024).
10 trajectory to meet the State goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. The CAP provides a foundation for future sustainable development efforts in Ukiah.
The CAP addresses communitywide GHG emissions and includes a discrete target for Ukiah to reach maximum emissions of 96,544 MT of CO2e emissions annually by 2030, which is the level below which the contribution to GHG emissions from activities covered by the CAP would not be cumulatively considerable. The CAP includes a 2022 communitywide GHG emissions inventory, contains a list of GHG emissions reduction sectors, measures, and actions to achieve Ukiah’s GHG emissions reduction goals, and focuses on actions through 2030 for purposes of meeting the Ukiah 2030 GHG emissions target.
The 2022 GHG emissions inventory provides the basis for emissions forecasts for the years 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045. In 2022, Ukiah’s total GHG emissions were estimated to be 132,323 MT of CO2e. GHG emissions in the inventory are categorized based on sectors. These sectors include transportation, building energy (electricity and natural gas), water and wastewater, and solid waste. Table 1 provides the summary of Ukiah’s 2022 GHG emissions by sector, as well as each sector’s percentage of communitywide emissions.16 As shown therein, the largest GHG emissions are related to the transportation and building energy use sectors.
Table 1 Ukiah 2022 Communitywide GHG Emissions Levels
GHG Emissions Sector/Source CO2e (MT) Percent of Total Emissions Transportation 70,050 53
Building Energy (Electricity) 30,436 23
Building Energy (Natural Gas) 27,932 21
Water and Wastewater 31 <1
Solid Waste 3,873 3
Total 132,323 100
CO2e = carbon dioxide equivalent; MT = Metric Tons
Source: Ukiah, City of. 2025. Draft Ukiah Climate Action Plan. February 2025.
Given that Ukiah 1990 emissions levels are estimated to be 160,907 MT of CO2e,17 the CAP establishes a target to reduce communitywide GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 (96,544 MT of CO2e annually). This would meet the SB 32 State GHG emissions target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, consistent with CEQA for a qualified GHG emissions reduction strategy and to be achievable by City-supported measures and actions identified in the CAP. The CAP includes a business-as-usual (BAU) forecast and an adjusted BAU (ABAU) forecast of GHG emissions, based on the 2022 inventory, that enables Ukiah to estimate the emissions reductions required to meet its communitywide reduction targets.
The CAP overall GHG reduction strategy is organized by five sectors, each of which includes related measures and actions. These sectors include building energy, transportation, solid waste, water and wastewater, and carbon sequestration. The measures and actions generally focus on renewable and carbon-free electricity, building electrification, transportation decarbonization, VMT reduction, and solid waste generation and water use reductions.
Table 2 includes a complete list of the specific measures and actions by sector established by the CAP, as well as anticipated annual GHG reductions by 2030 and 2045.
16 Ukiah, City of. 2025. Draft Ukiah Climate Action Plan. February 2025. 17 Rincon Consultants. 2024. Final Ukiah GHG Forest-Targets Memorandum. July 2024.
11 Table 2 Ukah CAP Measures and Actions
Measure/
Action ID Measure/Action Text
Estimated GHG
Emissions Reductions
(MT of CO2e)
Building Energy
Measure BE-1: Procure 77% of electricity from renewable and zero-carbon sources by 2030 and 100% renewable and carbon-free no later than 2045.
BE-1a Evaluate options for utility-scale battery storage to accommodate future renewable electricity supply to build energy resilience. 2030: 10,971
2045: 0
BE-1a Work to increase local renewable energy supply by pursuing funding opportunities to incentivize community adoption of renewable energy solutions such as residential solar, wind, and battery storage. Prioritize subsidies for disadvantaged and low-income households and small businesses. Target underutilized urban spaces, such as parking lots and rooftops, as an opportunity to develop the city’s solar canopy.
BE-1a Develop a long-range community-wide electric energy and demand forecast to:
1. Estimate future usage and peak demands due to adoption rates of building and transportation electrification and grid capacity, as well as future annexation and economic development plans.
2. Formalize a pathway (resource-plan) to meet the City’s energy needs and list of potential renewable resources through 2030 and 2045. Longrange planning of generation resources should take into consideration opportunities to implement carbon sequestration and utilization opportunities in alignment with State and City goals.
3. Develop a decarbonization priority list and implementation schedule for all municipal buildings.
4. Pending results of the forecast, the City shall develop and implement renewable energy procurement schedule for 2030 and 2045 and will track progress towards goals.
Measure BE-2: Decarbonize 15% of existing buildings by 2030 and 100% by 2045.
BE-2a Adopt a zero NOx (nitrogen oxides) threshold by 2026 to require replacement of water heaters and HVAC appliances in residential and commercial buildings upon burnout.
2030: 4,258
2045: 27,920
BE-2b Incentivize energy and water efficiency measures to improve building performance and reduce utility costs. Reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings by promoting and incentivizing energy efficient solutions including heat pumps (air-source and geothermal), “cool” building strategies, trees, green roofs, and other nature-based solutions.
BE-2c Outline and prioritize a pathway to carbon-free emergency and back-up power across the City’s critical asset portfolio with an emphasis on developing community-scale microgrids and/or clean energy districts.
BE-2d Expand the local building decarbonization workforce, with targeted supports designed for disadvantaged workers.
BE-2e Eliminate fossil fuel use in buildings by 2045 by tailoring electrification solutions to different building ownership, systems, and use types. Work with PG&E to develop a strategy for the equitable decommissioning of the local natural gas system by 2045. Incentivize electrification across all building types.
12 Measure/
Action ID Measure/Action Text
Estimated GHG
Emissions Reductions
(MT of CO2e)
Measure BE-3: Decarbonize 95% of new building construction by 2026.
BE-3a Adopt a single margin hourly source energy threshold (EDR1) performance standard for new construction by 2026.
2030: 2,704
2045: 15,608
BE-3b Incorporate additional climate resilient design requirements as part of any future updates to the City’s building code or zoning code.
BE-3c Continue to remove procedural barriers and establish a more streamlined permitting process for all new construction by 2027.
Measure BE-4: Decarbonize 50% of municipal buildings by 2030 and 100% by 2045.
BE-4a Adopt policy that requires the City to decarbonize 50% of municipal buildings and facilities by 2030 and 100% by 2045 while prioritizing critical and public access facilities.
Supportive
BE-4b Pursue grant funding and rebates to electrify municipal buildings.
Transportation
Measure T-1: Increase the total mode share of active transportation to 15% by 2030, and 30% by 2045.
T-1a Update the Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (2015) to reflect current conditions and projects to outline where new lanes are needed to construct a comprehensive, connected network of safe and accessible (low-stress) bikeways and walkways, on- and off- street, and within and across neighborhoods. Develop and pilot a program that provides communitywide access to bicycles.
2030: 373
2045: 2,164
T-1b Establish affordable public transportation options for low-income residents while prioritizing bicycles and other micro-mobility options. Re-explore and expand available rebates with a focus on supporting low-income families and qualified residents.
T-1c Develop a priority list of active transportation projects for MCOG’s 2023/2024 Regional Transportation Plan and proposed update to the Ukiah Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Prioritized projects should be selected on level of impact, expansion of inter-jurisdictional connectivity, and access considerations for historically disadvantaged communities. Identify and pursue available resources in order to implement the top 5 priority projects by 2028.
T-1d Further develop safe bike lane transportation corridors by 2027 to be implemented with State and federal funding through available grant programs.
13 Measure/
Action ID Measure/Action Text
Estimated GHG
Emissions Reductions
(MT of CO2e)
Measure T-2: Increase total public transportation mode share to 5% by 2030, and 20% by 2045.
T-2a Collaborate with Mendocino Council of Governments and Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) to implement a transportation system plan to shift travel behavior away from single-occupancy vehicles and encourage use of public and multi-modal transportation options. The plan may include the following considerations:
1. Increasing MTA ridership through improved routes and modifying schedules to increase efficiency and align with rider needs.
2. Prioritizing transportation access and improvements in low-income areas, active aging neighborhoods, schools, infill development areas, and at major destinations.
3. Identification of design improvements of seating and shading at bus stops and along active transportation routes.
4. Increasing micro-transit access to improved public transit network facilities to promote last-mile commute access to alternative transportation methods.
5. Developing a local electric trolley system that operates year-round. 2030: 997
2045: 5,319
T-2b Identify high-trafficked areas of the City to: eliminate parking minimums, develop parking maximums, and require parking management and transportation demand management plans based on available transportation options, travel patterns, and land use.
T-2c Collaborate with Mendocino Council of Governments and Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA), Mendocino College, and other key institutional partners to establish free or subsidized local public transit programs that service local residential and commercial areas.
Measure T-3: Reduce local VMT from single passenger vehicles.
T-3a Require developers to meet Reach Code requirements to include EV charging infrastructure and local active and public transit facilities in new multi-family construction. Promote development that increases walkability and is bikeable in neighborhoods.
Supportive
T-3b Reduce VMT by promoting and prioritizing infill development and/or increased density of residential development in the downtown core, along transit corridors, and within future planned development areas that is compact, mixed use, pedestrian friendly, and transit-oriented where applicable. Continue to evaluate surplus or annexed land potential opportunities to promote infill development and sustainable growth management.
T-3c Pursue and implement policies by 2027 that support accessible, walkable neighborhoods and connected bike networks as part of infill development projects. Infrastructure requirements may include:
1. Interconnected bike lanes and sidewalks connecting to City’s trail network.
2. Bike locks/stations or other micro-mobility hubs outside of mixed use or commercial development.
3. Increase public bike parking capacity outside of public and commercial development.
4. Establish parking policies that encourage the use of public transit and active transportation.
14 Measure/
Action ID Measure/Action Text
Estimated GHG
Emissions Reductions
(MT of CO2e)
Measure T-4: Achieve zero-emission vehicle adoption rates of 30% for passenger vehicles and 25% for commercial vehicles by 2030 and 100% for all vehicles by 2045.
T-4a Complete an inventory of existing EV infrastructure and locations.
Additionally, identify key locations to add new public EV chargers (Level 2+) to facilitate the transition to EVs. The analysis shall include the following:
Passenger Fleets
1. Survey existing publicly accessible electric vehicle chargers and locations and identify a prioritized list of new electric vehicle charging stations or lots for increased chargers.
2. Identify and quantify opportunities to increase public access to curbside charging, with guidance for appropriate types and charging scenarios.
3. Identify funding opportunities for the installation of public EV chargers and residential home EV charging systems by 2030.
Commercial Vehicles subject to Advanced Clean Fleet requirements
1. Identifies opportunities for accelerated fleet ZEV adoption and establish a strategy to promote ZEV/EV adoption within business fleets, with consideration for vehicle exceptions.
2. For high priority fleets, conduct an utility grid planning analysis to identify necessary infrastructure upgrades to support a fully built-out fleet.
3. Identifies the responsible party to submit construction permits early and submit utility interconnection applications early.
2030: 11,847
2045: 66,664
T-4b By 2026, develop a reach code requiring electric vehicle capable charging spaces to promote EV chargers in new development and existing parking spaces, to require at a minimum:
1. Single Family – CalGreen Tier 2 provisions
2. Multifamily – CalGreen Tier 2 provisions
3. Non-residential – CalGreen Tier 2 provisions
4. Expand the designation of EV charging parking spaces to 30% of parking spaces within multi-family residential buildings by 2030
5. Require larger residential rental building owners (more than 20 tenants) to install working electric vehicle chargers in 30% of parking spaces for new buildings, and existing buildings at time of renovation pending results of a local economic impact analysis.
6. Expediate EV charger permits
7. Additionally, continue to install and provide EV charger access at Cityowned facilities Measure T-5: By 2030, electrify or otherwise decarbonize 12% of applicable SORE off-road equipment and replace 35% of fossil diesel consumption with renewable diesel in alignment with EO N-79-20.
T-5a Identify potential users of fossil fuel-based equipment and target education and incentives for replacement with SORE zero emissions alternatives. 2030: 606
2045: 1,541
T-5b Implement and promote CARB’s Small-Off Road Engines (SORE) regulations, requiring most newly manufactured small off-road engines (e.g., leaf blowers, lawn mowers) to be zero emission starting in Model Year 2024, with Phase 2 targeting zero emissions for generators and large pressure washers by Model Year 2028.
T-5c Coordinate with California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Mendocino County Air Quality Management District (MCAQMD) to notify affected fleets and establish a compliance tracking system for diesel vehicles over 25 horsepower to use R99 or R100 renewable diesel. Partner with regional fuel suppliers to support and promote the increased procurement of renewable diesel.
15 Measure/
Action ID Measure/Action Text
Estimated GHG
Emissions Reductions
(MT of CO2e)
Measure T-6: Decarbonize the municipal fleet in compliance with the California Advanced Clean Fleet Rule and EO N-79-20 off-road requirements.
T-6a Align the City’s Sustainable Purchasing Policy by 2025 to require all new and replacement municipal fleet vehicle purchases to be EVs or ZEVs, where commercially viable. Implement a schedule to comply with the California Advanced Clean Fleet rule for low population counties, mandating that 100% of medium and heavy-duty vehicle purchases be zeroemission beginning in 2027, where commercially viable.
Supportive
T-6b Evaluate opportunities for procuring renewable diesel for all applicable jurisdiction-owned equipment while replacing end-of-life off-road equipment with zero-emission alternatives, where feasible.
T-6c Obtain the necessary resources to install additional ZEV chargers and renewable fueling stations in municipal parking lots for use by the fleet, employees, and the public.
Solid Waste
Measure SW-1: Achieve and maintain SB 1383 requirements to reduce organic waste sent to landfills by 75% by 2030.
SW-1a Meet the requirements of SB 1383 to reduce organics in the waste stream by 75% below 2014 levels by 2030 and achieve through activities such as:
1. Implement enforcement and fee for incorrectly sorted materials with sensitivity to shared collection. Utilize funding to implement programs and efforts to increase communitywide organic waste diversion.
2. Assure adequate bin signage across commercial and residential areas of acceptable landfill, recyclable, and compostable materials.
3. Identify public areas for adding organics collection and recycling bins where needed.
4. Work with C&S Waste Solutions and Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) to conduct free food scrap collection pail giveaways and promote curbside organics collection service offered in applicable communities.
5. Evaluate opportunities to have community compost hubs that are easily accessible for community members. Partner with regional community gardens to increase community wide access to local compost bins.
6. Identify long-term and alternate solutions for the community’s wastewater bio-solids and develop local, beneficial reuse. Facilitate meeting SB 1383 requirements by identifying and obtaining the resources necessary for implementation of solid waste diversion projects by 2027, such as increased funding and/or MSWMA staffing and capacity.
2030: 3,511
2045: 4,646
Measure SW-2: Achieve SB 1383 procurement requirements (0.08 tons recovered organic waste per person) by 2030.
SW-2a Establish and execute an implementation plan for meeting procurement requirements. This may include:
1. Enforcing compliance with SB 1383, aiming to exceed baseline requirements by establishing a minimum annual level of compost or mulch application on appropriate land throughout the region.
2. Maintaining procurement policies to purchase recovered organic waste products in accordance with SB 1383 requirements.
3. Expansion/creation of community composting programs paired with community gardens.
2030: 190
2045: 228
16 Measure/
Action ID Measure/Action Text
Estimated GHG
Emissions Reductions
(MT of CO2e)
Water Resources
Measure WR-1: Continue to implement wastewater recycling and water conservation projects and reduce per capita potable water consumption.
WW-1a The City of Ukiah’s water utility department will update the Ukiah Urban Water Management Plan every 5 years, as required by the State, and implement the identified demand reduction actions to ensure compliance with the State’s Making Water Conservation a Way of Life regulations.
Include new actions in the UWMPs as needed to achieve State regulations, which may include:
1. Develop or amend Water Shortage Contingency Plans in the region to develop water waste restrictions for households, businesses, industries, and public infrastructure.
2. Work with large water users, and other interested parties to develop an On-Site Water Reuse Plan to maximize utilization of local water supplies.
3. In conjunction with the Community Development Department, revisit and update the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), as needed. Engage, through regional partnerships, with builders and developers to provide information on the requirements for development projects.
4. Develop an ordinance for installation of dual-plumbing water systems that utilize greywater or recycled water for irrigation at new residential and commercial construction.
5. Increase engagement with the community, specifically low-to-moderate income residents, to understand available incentives or rebates, options, and programs to reduce per capita water use.
6. Revise water and wastewater rates as necessary to ensure the cost of service is covered.
Supportive
WW-1b Continue to require the use of low-impact-development (LID) strategies as specified by the Ukiah LID Technical Manual for new construction and development.
Carbon Sequestration
Measure CS-1: Preserve existing trees and plant at least 200 new trees per year or an equivalent amount of highemissions reduction potential land cover throughout the community, beginning in 2025 and through 2045.
CS-1a Prepare an Urban Forest Master Plan, update the Tree Management Guidelines and create a Tree Protection Plan to promote public tree health, enhancing resiliency, and increasing the environmental benefits and cobenefits of street trees and shading. The City will continue to conduct an urban tree canopy study every 5-8 years to track progress and identify new priority areas.
2030: 149
2045: 1,635
CS-1b Optimize natural carbon sequestration through regenerative land and water management. Advance nature-based climate solutions that sequester carbon, restore ecosystems, and conserve biodiversity. Enhance ongoing conservation and wildfire prevention efforts in the western hills and in forested areas within the City’s Area of Interest (AoI).
CS-1c Conduct carbon sequestration farming pilot projects within the community and across the City’s AoI.
17 Measure/
Action ID Measure/Action Text
Estimated GHG
Emissions Reductions
(MT of CO2e)
Measure CS-2: Pursue opportunities to support the City’s sustainable economic development goals with an emphasis on circularity and creating green jobs within the region.
CS-2a Integrate climate action strategies into the City’s long-term economic development goals to grow a more local, resilient, self-sufficient, and circular economy.
Supportive
CS-2b Conduct a feasibility study to identify the potential of converting organic materials such as food and yard waste, woody biomass, and wastewater sludge to energy. In addition to identifying technology opportunities, the feasibility study will include research on regional land-use management opportunities and potential financing pathways.
CS-2c Develop and adopt a sustainable purchasing policy for municipal operations that emphasize localism. Work with businesses, community organizations, and surrounding jurisdictions to implement reuse, refill, and repair programs to repurpose materials and capture value before disposal.
MT of CO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
Source: Ukiah, City of. 2025. Draft Climate Action Plan Update. February 2025.
The measures and actions shown in Table 2, combined with existing State legislation and City initiatives, would enable Ukiah to meet its GHG emissions target to reduce GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.
Table 3 summarizes the communitywide GHG emissions forecasts under the BAU and ABAU scenarios, as well as with implementation of the CAP, from 2022 through 2045.
Table 3 Ukiah GHG Emissions Forecasts (MT of CO2e)
GHG Emissions Pathways 2022 2030 2035 2040 2045
BAU Forecast 132,323 161,649 180,231 199,324 218,918
ABAU Forecast 132,323 131,128 121,979 126,868 132,758
Forecast with CAP 132,323 95,564 66,103 36,642 7,180
Source: Ukiah, City of. 2025. Draft CAP. February 2025.
Figure 3 depicts the 2030 and 2045 GHG emissions targets for Ukiah, including anticipated emissions once the measures and actions listed in Table 2 are implemented. Figure 3 also illustrates the forecasted BAU and ABAU emissions, and the target pathway to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.
18 Figure 3 Ukiah GHG Emissions Projections and Targets Table 4 shows the Ukiah climate action target emissions and the emissions reductions expected from implementing the CAP. Table 4 also illustrates that Ukiah would meet its 2030 GHG reduction target and make substantial progress towards the 2045 goal of carbon neutrality with implementation of the CAP.
Table 4 Targets Versus GHG Reductions
Target/Forecast
2030 GHG Emissions
(MT of CO2e)
2045 GHG Emissions
(MT of CO2e)
ABAU Forecast 131,128 132,758
GHG Reductions from Implementation of CAP
Measures
35,606 125,726
GHG Emissions after Measure Reductions
(ABAU Forecast – GHG Emissions Reductions)
95,522 7,032
Ukiah Targets 96,544 0
Target Anticipated to be Met? Yes Substantial progress
demonstrated
MT of CO2e = metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
Source: City of Ukiah. 2025. Final CAP. May 2025.
The CAP would provide substantial progress toward meeting the City’s carbon neutrality goal by 2045. However, full implementation of the CAP would leave a gap of approximately 7,032 MT of CO2e that would still need to be addressed to achieve carbon neutrality. As such, the CAP acknowledges that additional actions beyond those identified in the plan will be necessary to achieve carbon neutrality and provides a mechanism for tracking CAP progress through publication of updated GHG emissions inventories and progress reports every two years. In addition, the City anticipates initiating a CAP Update by 2029 to prepare for achieving the 2045 carbon neutrality goal.
This allows for certainty in the updated schedule, ensures that the carbon neutrality work is directly tied to the City’s financial decision making and prioritization process, and allows for constant integration of learning, best practices, and new measures and technologies to further the City toward meeting its goal of carbon neutrality.
Implementation of the CAP measures and actions identified in Table 2 could result in physical changes that could potentially have an impact on the environment. While individual projects resulting from these measures have not been identified for the purposes of this document, the types of actions that could result from realization of the measures and actions are taken into account in considering potential environmental impacts that could occur through implementation of the CAP. For example, the use of carbon-free electricity may require the installation of new infrastructure to accommodate use and transmission of alternative and renewable fuels. Similarly, increasing the use of EVs would require the installation of EV charging stations and supporting infrastructure. Additionally, CAP
19 implementation may require the installation of new bicycle, public transit, and pedestrian facilities and renewable energy infrastructure. These types of activities would introduce physical changes, such as the temporary presence and operation of construction vehicles and equipment during installation of required facilities, and the long-term presence of new facilities such as bike and pedestrian facilities, solar arrays, and EV charging stations. Future plans or projects requiring discretionary approval would be subject to environmental review under CEQA, and individual impact analyses may identify required plan- or project-specific mitigation measures where applicable.
Cumulative Projects Scenario
For purposes of CEQA cumulative impacts analysis of the CAP, the cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, households, and service population forecasts identified in the CAP, based on California Department of Finance 2022 demographic data, 2022 data from the State of California Employment Development Department, projected land use as outlined in the Ukiah 2040 General Plan, and the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation for the City of Ukiah.
18 The cumulative projects scenario is shown in Table 5.
Table 5 Cumulative Projects Scenario
Demographics/Sector 2022 2030 2035 2040 2045
Population 15,929 17,834 19,025 20,216 21,407
Employment 6,800 9,632 11,402 13,172 14,942
Households 6,589 7,616 8,109 8,601 9,094
Service Population1 22,729 27,466 30,427 33,388 36,349
1 Service population is calculated as the combined total number of employees and residents in the City.
Source: Rincon Consultants. 2024. Final Ukiah GHG Forecast-Targets Memorandum. July 2024.
Required Approvals
City of Ukiah
Required approvals include:
• Adoption of the Ukiah CAP IS-ND; and
• Adoption of the Ukiah CAP.
Although individual plans or projects may be implemented later under the umbrella of the CAP, each individual plan or project that does not qualify for a statutory or categorical exemption would be subject to separate environmental review under CEQA.
In addition, if a future project is demonstrated to be consistent with the CAP, then that project could conduct a streamlined CEQA GHG emissions analysis in accordance with Sections 15183.5(a) and (b) of the CEQA Guidelines that states:
(a) Lead agencies may analyze and mitigate the significant effects of greenhouse gas emissions at a programmatic level, such as in a general plan, a long range development plan, or a separate plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Later project-specific environmental documents may tier from and/or incorporate by reference that existing programmatic review… (b) Plans for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Public agencies may choose to analyze and mitigate significant greenhouse gas emissions in a plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions or similar document. A plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may be used in a cumulative impacts analysis as set forth below. Pursuant to Sections 15064(h)(3) and 15130(d), a lead agency may determine that a project's incremental contribution to a cumulative effect is not cumulatively considerable if the project complies with the requirements in a previously adopted plan or mitigation program under specified circumstances. 18 Rincon Consultants. 2024. Final Ukiah GHG Forecast-Targets Memorandum. July 2024.
20 Other Public Agencies
The City of Ukiah has sole approval authority over the CAP. There are no other public agencies whose approval is required.
21 Environmental Factors Potentially Affected
This project would potentially affect the environmental factors checked below, involving at least one impact that is “Potentially Significant” or “Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated” as indicated by the checklist on the following pages.
□ Aesthetics □ Agriculture and Forestry
Resources
□ Air Quality
□ Biological Resources □ Cultural Resources □ Energy
□ Geology/Soils □ Greenhouse Gas
Emissions
□ Hazards & Hazardous
Materials
□ Hydrology/Water Quality □ Land Use/Planning □ Mineral Resources □ Noise □ Population/Housing □ Public Services
□ Recreation □ Transportation □ Tribal Cultural Resources □ Utilities/Service Systems □ Wildfire □ Mandatory Findings of Significance
Determination
Based on this initial evaluation:
■ I find that the proposed project COULD NOT have a significant effect on the environment, and a NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared.
□ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, there will not be a significant effect in this case because revisions to the project have been made by or agreed to by the project proponent. A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION will be prepared. □ I find that the proposed project MAY have a significant effect on the environment, and an ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required.
□ I find that the proposed project MAY have a “potentially significant impact” or “less than significant with mitigation incorporated” impact on the environment, but at least one effect (1) has been adequately analyzed in an earlier document pursuant to applicable legal standards, and (2) has been addressed by mitigation measures based on the earlier analysis as described on attached sheets. An ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT is required, but it must analyze only the effects that remain to be addressed.
22 □ I find that although the proposed project could have a significant effect on the environment, because all potential significant effects (a) have been analyzed adequately in an earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION pursuant to applicable standards, and (b) have been avoided or mitigated pursuant to that earlier EIR or NEGATIVE DECLARATION, including revisions or mitigation measures that are imposed upon the proposed project, nothing further is required.
Lead Agency Representative Signature Date
Lead Agency Representative Printed Name Title
23 Environmental Checklist
1 Aesthetics
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic
vista? □ □ ■ □
b. Substantially damage scenic resources, including
but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and
historic buildings within a state scenic highway? □ □ □ ■ c. In non-urbanized areas, substantially degrade the
existing visual character or quality of public views
of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are
those that are experienced from a publicly
accessible vantage point). If the project is in an
urbanized area, would the project conflict with
applicable zoning and other regulations governing
scenic quality? □ □ ■ □
d. Create a new source of substantial light or glare
that would adversely affect daytime or nighttime
views in the area? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista? Ukiah’s natural landscape includes redwood-covered hillsides, the Russian River, and Ukiah Valley flatlands. The Ukiah 2040 General Plan identifies hillside areas within the City as scenic viewsheds. 19 One of the most notable
scenic resources are the western hills, rising above the valley floor on the west side of Ukiah. 20 The Ukiah 2040
General Plan contains goals and policies to protect scenic vistas and the character of the western hills.21 These include the following:
• Goal LU-6 Hillside Areas: To preserve the natural character of hillside development areas. o Policy LU-6.1 Natural Features: The City shall require development to preserve outstanding natural physical features, such as the highest crest of a hill, natural rock outcroppings, major tree belts, and water features. o Policy LU-6.2 Hillside Development: The City shall require new development in hillside areas to minimize grading to retain a natural hillside setting. The City shall encourage clustered dwelling units in hillside areas and roadways to be designed to preserve the ecological and scenic character of the hillsides.
As a policy document, the Ukiah CAP would not result in direct impacts to scenic vistas; however, implementation of some CAP measures and actions may promote infrastructure development and redevelopment that could affect the visual character of Ukiah. CAP Action BE-1a would promote the installation of small-scale renewable energy infrastructure, such as rooftop and parking canopy solar panels, to increase renewable energy generation. CAP Measure T-1 would result in new bicycle lanes and pedestrian infrastructure to increase active transportation. CAP 19 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. Introduction https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040- General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025).
20 Ukiah, City of.2022. Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/Ukiah_2040_Draft_EIR_with_Appendices.pdf (accessed January 2025). 21 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. Land Use Element. https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025).
24 Action T-3b would prioritize infill development within the downtown core. These measures and actions would promote infrastructure development and redevelopment within urban areas of the City and would not be anticipated to affect the scenic western hills. Future CAP-related projects and actions, including those identified above, would be required to adhere to Ukiah 2040 General Plan goals and policies requiring preservation of natural features and scenic vistas. Additionally, the CAP includes Action CS-1b which seeks to conserve the western hills and forested areas of the City to enhance carbon sequestration. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to effects on scenic vistas. b. Would the project substantially damage scenic resources, including but not limited to, trees, rock outcroppings, and historic buildings within a State scenic highway?
According to the California Scenic Highway Mapping System, State Route (SR) 20 and Interstate 101, approximately
6.4 miles and 6.3 miles north of Ukiah, respectively, are both eligible State scenic highways, though neither are officially designated.
22 The nearest designated State scenic highway is a portion of SR-116 running from Lynch Road to Highway 1, located approximately 43 miles southeast of Ukiah City limits at its closest point. There are no officially designated State scenic highways in Ukiah, and no portions of the City encompass the viewshed from a State scenic highway. Due to the distance between Ukiah and the nearest designated and eligible State scenic highways, views of Ukiah from SR 20, I-101, and SR-116 are not available. In addition, the Ukiah 2040 General Plan does not designate any local roadways as scenic roadways.
23 As such, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would not result in impacts related to scenic resources within the viewshed of a State scenic highway or scenic roadway. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in no impact related to effects on scenic resources within a State scenic highway.
c. In non-urbanized areas, would the project substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of public views of the site and its surroundings? (Public views are those that are experienced from a publicly accessible vantage point). If the plan is in an urbanized area, would the project conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality?
CEQA Guidelines Section 21071 states that an incorporated city is urbanized if it has either (1) a population of at least 100,000 persons or (2) has a population of less than 100,000 persons if the population of that city and not more than two contiguous incorporated cities combined equals at least 100,000 persons. Ukiah has a population of less than 100,000 people and is not contiguous with any other incorporated cities and, thus, is considered non-urbanized.
The Ukiah Valley is well known for its natural and scenic beauty. The Russian River follows the Ukiah Valley, winding through agricultural lands just outside of Ukiah to the east. The valley is approximately 630 feet in elevation, with the hills of the Mendocino and Mayacamas ranges that flank the valley reaching up to 3,000 feet in elevation. Views on the Valley floor within the City of Ukiah include those typical of existing residential and commercial development, as most of the land within the City limits is developed.
24 The Ukiah 2040 General Plan includes goals and policies that require preservation of the existing natural character of hillside development areas and open space land and that govern scenic quality within the City. These include the following:
• Goal ENV-1: Preserve open space land for the commercial agricultural and productive uses, the protection and use of natural resources, the enjoyment of scenic beauty and recreation, protection of tribal resources, and the protection from natural hazards.
• Goal LU-6 Hillside Areas: To preserve the natural character of hillside development areas. o Policy LU-6.1 Natural Features: The City shall require development to preserve outstanding natural physical features, such as the highest crest of a hill, natural rock outcroppings, major tree belts, and water features. o Policy LU-6.2 Hillside Development: The City shall require new development in hillside areas to minimize grading to retain a natural hillside setting. The City shall encourage clustered dwelling units in hillside areas and roadways to be designed to preserve the ecological and scenic character of the hillsides. o Policy LU-11.3 Neighborhood Character: The City shall ensure that Zoning Code standards and design guidelines are reflective of neighborhood character and land use intensity, complement views from US 101 22 Caltrans. 2018. California State Scenic Highway System Map. https://caltrans.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=465dfd3d807c46cc8e8057116f1aacaa (accessed January 2025).
23 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-GeneralPlan_reduced.pdf (accessed February 2025). 24 Ukiah, City of.2022. Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/Ukiah_2040_Draft_EIR_with_Appendices.pdf (accessed January 2025).
25 Implementation of Ukiah CAP actions may promote infrastructure development and redevelopment that has the potential to result in impacts to the visual character and public views of the City. Specifically, CAP Action BE-1a would promote the installation of small-scale renewable energy infrastructure, such as rooftop and parking canopy solar panels, to increase renewable energy generation. Actions T-1a, T-1c, and T-1d would encourage development of new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, which may involve construction activities to create new bike lanes and bike/pedestrian paths throughout Ukiah. Action T-2a would involve improvements to bus stops and the potential development of a local electric trolley system. In addition, Actions T-4b and T-6c seek to install EV and ZEV chargers and fueling stations throughout the City. Implementation of new renewable energy and transportation infrastructure and the installation of ZEV chargers may slightly change the scenic character of the City. However, future CAP-related projects would be required to adhere to City regulations that protect aesthetic resources. This includes the applicable City Design Guidelines and the Ukiah 2040 General Plan policies outlined above. 25, 26, 27 Compliance with these
standards would confirm that future CAP-related projects would align with the City goals related to visual character and quality. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to the existing visual character or quality of public views within Ukiah. d. Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glare that would adversely affect daytime or nighttime views in the area?
Ukiah contains existing sources of nighttime light and daytime glare including street and vehicle lighting, security lighting, interior and exterior building lighting, and reflective building materials. The Ukiah CAP would promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment that is complimentary to existing land uses in the City.
The Ukiah CAP would not directly result in impacts related to light and glare.
However, implementation of Ukiah CAP Action BE-1a would promote the installation of small-scale renewable energy infrastructure, such as rooftop and parking canopy solar panels, to increase renewable energy generation. Solar panels have the potential to result in new sources of daytime glare within Ukiah if not thoughtfully designed and located. The design and location of future solar infrastructure would be complimentary to existing development in Ukiah, such as the addition of small-scale rooftop, residential and commercial solar panels would reduce potential glare impacts. Future installations of solar panels in Ukiah would be required to obtain a building permit and comply with all permitting conditions to limit aesthetic impacts. Additionally, rooftop solar is generally unnoticeable from ground level and photovoltaic panels are designed and constructed to absorb as much visible light as possible for energy generation, as opposed to reflecting the sunlight back into the atmosphere. Minimal glare is produced by solar panels.28
Future CAP-related projects would also be reviewed for consistency with the CCR Title 24 lighting standards (CCR Title 24 Part 6), the Ukiah Zoning Code, and applicable design guidelines, which include a review of exterior lighting.29,30,31 Compliance with these regulations would minimize environmental impacts related to nighttime light by implementing standard conditions of approval requiring the shielding of exterior lighting and limiting spillover lighting.
In addition, the Ukiah CAP would be reviewed for consistency with the Ukiah 2040 General Plan and other applicable aesthetic regulations prior to approval. Future CAP-related projects would be required to adhere to the applicable City Design Guidelines.
32 Compliance with these standards would confirm that potential future infrastructure development and redevelopment in Ukiah aligns with the Ukiah City Code (UCC) and design guidelines. Compliance 25 Ukiah, City of. 1992. Design Guidelines: Commercial Projects within the Downtown Design District. https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/Design-Guidelines-Projects-Inside-Downtown-Design-District.pdf (accessed February 2025). 26 Ukiah, City of. 1996. Design Guidelines: Commercial Projects Outside the Downtown Design District. https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2021/11/Design-Guidelines-Projects-Outside-Downtown-Design-District.pdf (accessed February 2025). 27 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-GeneralPlan_reduced.pdf (accessed February 2025). 28 National Renewable Energy Laboratory. 2018. Research and Analysis Demonstrate the Lack of Impacts of Glare from Photovoltaic Modules. https://www.nrel.gov/state-local-tribal/blog/posts/research-and-analysis-demonstrate-the-lack-of-impacts-of-glare-fromphotovoltaic-modules.html (accessed February 2025). 29California Energy Commission (CEC). 2022. 2022 Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings. https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/CEC-400-2022-010_CMF.pdf (accessed November 2024). 30 Ukiah, City of. 1992. Design Guidelines for Commercial Projects within the Downtown Design District. https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/Design-Guidelines-Projects-Inside-Downtown-Design-District.pdf (accessed February 2025). 31 Ukiah, City of. 1992. Design Guidelines for Commercial Projects Outside the Downtown Design District. https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Design-Guidelines-Projects-Outside-Downtown-Design-District.pdf (accessed February 2025).
32 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. Land Use Element https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed February 2025).
26 with these regulations would minimize environmental impacts related to light and glare by requiring the shielding of exterior lighting and limiting the use of highly reflective materials, respectively. Thus, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to light and glare.
Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, households, and service population forecasts identified in the supporting documentation for the Ukiah CAP, based on demographic data and projections from the California Department of Finance and State of California Employment Development Department, as well as projected land use as outlined in the Ukiah 2040 General Plan and the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation for the City of Ukiah (refer to Table 5). Cumulative impacts related to scenic vistas and resources, visual character and scenic quality, and light and glare would generally be site-specific, and cumulative projects are not anticipated to contribute to cumulative aesthetic impacts with adherence to Ukiah 2040 General Plan policies and the UCC. Future development and infrastructure in the City, including CAP-related projects and cumulative development projects, would be required to comply with the Ukiah 2040 General Plan policies, UCC, and applicable design guidelines to minimize impacts to aesthetic resources. Therefore, implementation of Ukiah CAP would result in a less-thansignificant cumulative impact related to aesthetics.
27 2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or
Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as
shown on maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland
Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California
Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use? □ □ □ ■
b. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract? □ □ □ ■
c. Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources
Code Section 12220(g)); timberland (as defined by
Public Resources Code Section 4526); or
timberland zoned Timberland Production (as
defined by Government Code Section 51104(g))? □ □ □ ■
d. Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of
forest land to non-forest use? □ □ □ ■
e. Involve other changes in the existing environment
which, due to their location or nature, could result
in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use
or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? □ □ □ ■ a. Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
b. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract? e. Would the project involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
Maps prepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program primarily identify the City of Ukiah as Urban and Built-up Land, and no Prime Farmland or Farmland of Statewide Importance is mapped within Ukiah; however, there are a few pockets of Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance and Unique Farmland located in the southeast and northwest portions of the Ukiah Valley. 33 Likewise, there are no Williamson Act contracts
within Ukiah.
34 However, there are a few portions of Williamson contracts spread throughout Ukiah valley. UCC Chapter 8, Article 1, Sections 9750-9754 outlines policies, regulations, and standards to provide agriculture preservation within the City.35 In addition, the Ukiah 2040 General Plan contains several goals and policies that implement new approaches to local agriculture and strengthen existing City policies regarding preservation and enhancement of regional working lands. These include the following:
33 California Department of Conservation. 2020. California Important Farmland Finder Map https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/ciff/app/. (accessed January 2025). 34 California Department of Conservation. 2023. California Williamson Act Enrollment Finder https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/WilliamsonAct/App/index.html. (accessed January 2025). 35 Ukiah, City of. Ukiah City Code. 2024. UCC Chapter 8, Article 1, Sections 9750-9754 https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Ukiah/#!/html/Ukiah09/Ukiah0908-0100.html. (accessed January 2025).
28 • Goal AG-1: To preserve and strengthen agricultural uses in and around Ukiah that influence the regional economy.
o Policy AG-1.1 Reduce Agricultural/Urban Conflict: The City shall reduce conflict between incompatible uses and agriculture within and adjacent to the City.
o Policy AG-1.2 Preserve Agricultural Lands: With the exception of presently proposed or approved subdivisions, the City shall discourage urban development on unincorporated land within its Sphere of Influence (SOI) until annexed by the City. The City shall support County land use regulations that protect the viability of local agriculture in the Ukiah Valley.
The Ukiah CAP primarily focuses on reducing building energy use, improving and expanding active transportation and public transit options, expanding ZEV use, increasing water conservation, and reducing solid waste sent to landfills.
CAP measures and actions related to these goals would not affect agricultural uses in Ukiah. However, CAP Action CS-1c would involve the development of carbon sequestration farming pilot projects that may involve activities such as compost application and cover cropping to increase the storage of CO2 within agricultural soils. While these activities would alter current farming practices at participating locations, such pilot projects would likely be beneficial to agricultural uses, because they can help increase crop productivity.
The Ukiah CAP measures and actions would not involve projects or policies that would result in increased development or impacts related to conversion or loss of farmland. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in no impact related to degradation of agricultural resources or conversion of agricultural land to nonagriculture uses, nor would there be a conflict with existing zoning, Ukiah 2040 General Plan land use designations, or Williamson Act Contracts.
c. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code Section 12220(g)); timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code Section 4526); or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code Section 51104(g))? d. Would the project result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? The City of Ukiah does not contain any areas zoned for Forest Land or Timber Production Zones. UCC Chapter 5, Article 2, Section 5420, 5423-5425 outlines policies, regulations, and standards to provide for tree management within the City.
36 The Ukiah Tree Management Guidelines also contains policies for the protection, operation, and maintenance of the City’s urban forest.37 In addition, the Ukiah 2040 General Plan contains several goals and programs to preserve and protect urban forest land. These include the following:
• Goal ENV-2: To maintain and enhance the urban forest to create a sense of urban space and cohesiveness with the surrounding natural environment.
o Program E-Prepare an Urban Forest Master Plan: The City shall prepare an Urban Forest Master Plan that includes the types of trees appropriate for Ukiah and locations where the city would receive the greatest benefits of new trees. This plan should include trees within commercial and residential areas, as well as those at city parks and facilities. This plan shall be updated every five years.
The CAP aligns with the Ukiah 2040 General Plan by including measures and actions that emphasize the preservation and expansion of trees throughout the community. Ukiah CAP Measure CS-1 and Action CS-1a facilitate preservation and increased planting of trees, regenerative land management, ecosystem restoration, and conservation of forested lands throughout the City. As such, the Ukiah CAP would increase planting of trees and preservation of forest lands within the City. The Ukiah CAP does not include measures that would result in the loss of forest land or the conversion of forest land to non-forest use, nor would it conflict with or cause the rezoning of forest, timber land, or Timberland Production areas. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in no impact related to degradation of forestry resources or conversion of forest land to non-forest uses, nor would there be a conflict with existing zoning or general plan land use designations.
36 Ukiah, City of. Ukiah City Code. 2024 Chapter 5, Article 2, Section 5420, 5423-5425 https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Ukiah/#!/html/Ukiah06/Ukiah0605-0200.html (accessed January 2025). 37 Ukiah, City of. 2023. Tree Management Guidelines. https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tree-ManagementGuidelines-2023ApprovedFinal.pdf (accessed February 2025).
29 Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, households, and service population forecasts identified in the supporting documentation for the Ukiah CAP, based on demographic data and projections from the California Department of Finance and State of California Employment Development Department, as well as projected land use as outlined in the Ukiah 2040 General Plan and the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation for the City of Ukiah (refer to Table 5). Cumulative impacts related to agriculture and forestry resources would generally be site-specific, and cumulative impacts are not anticipated. Cumulative projects, including any future CAPrelated projects, would be required to adhere to Ukiah 2040 General Plan policies and UCC regulations protecting agricultural and forestry resources. Furthermore, as discussed above, the Ukiah CAP would not include measures and actions that would negatively impact agricultural or forestry resources, nor would it involve land use or zoning changes that could result in cumulative impacts related to conversion or loss of farmland or forest land. Therefore, implementation of Ukiah CAP would result in a no cumulative impact related to agricultural and forestry resources.
30 3 Air Quality
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the
applicable air quality plan? □ □ □ ■
b. Result in a cumulatively considerable net increase
of any criteria pollutant for which the project region
is non-attainment under an applicable federal or
state ambient air quality standard? □ □ ■ □
c. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant
concentrations? □ □ ■ □
d. Result in other emissions (such as those leading to
odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of
people? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan? The federal Clean Air Act (CAA) governs air quality in the United States and is administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) at the federal level. Air quality in California is also governed by regulations under the California CAA, which is administered by CARB at the State level. At the regional and local levels, local air districts typically administer the federal and California CAA. As part of implementing the federal and California CAA, the USEPA and CARB have established ambient air quality standards for major pollutants at thresholds intended to protect public health. Ukiah is located in Mendocino County, which is a subregion of the North Coast Air Basin (NCAB). The NCAB also includes the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, and Trinity, along with the northern portion of Sonoma County. Mendocino County is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean; on the east by Tehama, Glenn, and Lake counties; on the south by Sonoma County; and on the north by Humboldt and Trinity counties. Under State law, air districts are required to prepare a plan for air quality improvement for pollutants for which the district is in nonattainment.
The Mendocino County Air Quality Management District (MCAQMD) regulates air quality within Mendocino County.
As the local air quality management agency, the MCAQMD is required to monitor air pollutant levels to ensure that state and federal air quality standards are met and, if they are not met, to develop strategies to meet the standards.
Depending on whether or not the standards are met or exceeded, the Air Basin is classified as being in “attainment” or “nonattainment.” Under State law, air districts are required to prepare a plan for air quality improvement for pollutants for which the district is in non-attainment. MCAQMD is in non-attainment for the State PM10 (particulate matter up to 10 microns in size) standard and is required to prepare a plan for improvement. 38 MCAQMD adopted a Particulate Matter Attainment Plan (PM Attainment Plan) in 2005. According to the PM Attainment Plan, PM levels have dropped over the last 20 years, but the District still exceeds the State PM10 standard several times a year. The majority of these exceedances result from wildfires, residential wood burning, vehicle use of unpaved roads, and construction activities. The PM Attainment Plan includes control measures to reduce PM10 emissions within the district, including requirements related to woodstoves, unpaved roads, outdoor burning, and dust suppression.
39 The Ukiah CAP would not involve land use or zoning designation changes or specific development that could conflict with the PM Attainment Plan. Rather the Ukiah CAP would promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment. The Ukiah CAP primarily focuses on reducing building energy use, improving and expanding active 38 CARB. 2020. Ambient Air Quality Standards Designation Tool. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/capp/cst/tch/ambient-air-qualitystandards-designation-tool (accessed January 2025). 39 Mendocino County Air Quality Management District (MCAQMD). 2005. Particulate Matter Attainment Plan. https://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/aqmd/pdf_files/Attainment%20Plan_DRAFT.pdf (accessed January 2025).
31 transportation and public transit options, expanding ZEV charging options, increasing water conservation, and reducing solid waste sent to landfills. Implementation of Ukiah CAP measures and actions, such as those aimed at reducing VMT, reducing natural gas use through building electrification, and reducing wildfire risk would have cobenefits to air quality within the NCAB. These measures and actions would help MCAQMD meet applicable air quality plan goals and would generally reduce air pollutant concentrations.
Although the purpose and intended effect of the Ukiah CAP is to reduce GHG emissions generated in Ukiah to help reduce the effects of climate change, many of its measures and actions would also reduce criteria pollutant emissions. Specifically, Measures BE-2, BE-3, and BE-4 involve reducing the use of natural gas through building electrification of new and existing buildings, thereby reducing criteria pollutants associated with building energy use.
Measures T-1, T-2, and T-3 seek to improve active transportation and public transit facilities and programs in order to reduce VMT and increase the use of sustainable transportation options in Ukiah. In addition, Action T-3a, Measure T4, and Action T-6c would encourage the adoption of ZEVs and low-emissions off-road vehicles and equipment by enhancing ZEV infrastructure and phasing out gasoline- and diesel-powered off-road equipment. These energy and transportation-related strategies would reduce air pollutant emissions as well as GHG emissions. Additionally, CAP Action CS-1b and CS-2b would enhance wildfire prevention efforts within Ukiah, one of the major sources of PM10 exceedances according to the PM Attainment Plan. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would be consistent with federal, State and local regulations and would result in no impact related to a conflict with or obstruction of the applicable air quality plan.
b. Would the project result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or State ambient air quality standard? The Ukiah CAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would instead promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment. The Ukiah CAP would not result in impacts related to criteria pollutants. However, implementation of the following Ukiah CAP measures may promote infrastructure construction that would temporarily generate criteria pollutants during construction activities. Measures BE-1, BE-2, BE-3, and BE-4 promote building electrification of existing buildings and installation of solar PV systems and battery storage facilities to provide greener renewable electricity within the City. CAP Actions T-1a, T-1b, T-1c, T-3b, and T-3c support the installation of new bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit infrastructure throughout the City to increase the use of public transit and active transportation. Ukiah CAP Actions T-3a, T-4a, and T-4b encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and supporting infrastructure. Additionally, CAP Actions SW-1a and SW-2a increasing organic waste diversion and facility capacities for organic waste collection.
Construction-related air quality impacts are generally associated with fugitive dust (particulate matter) and exhaust (nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons) emissions from heavy construction vehicles and soil hauling trucks, in addition to reactive organic gases (a precursor to ozone formation) that would be released during the drying phase upon application of architectural coatings. However, implementation of proposed CAP measures and actions would not include large-scale construction within Ukiah and would involve temporary and short-term criteria pollutant emissions. As such, it would result in low-level criteria pollutant emissions and negligible impacts to air quality. Ukiah CAP measures and actions would also be reviewed for consistency with MCAQMD air quality regulations and other applicable local, State, and federal regulations once project details and locations are known. Thus, the construction required for implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to net increase of criteria pollutants.
With respect to operational emissions, many Ukiah CAP measures and actions would have the secondary benefit of reducing criteria pollutant emissions, such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, by aiming to increase building energy efficiency, promote electric vehicles, reduce VMT, and minimize wildfires. As such, operations related to implementation of the Ukiah CAP would be beneficial by helping Ukiah meet applicable air quality plan goals.
Therefore, overall, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to criteria pollutant emissions.
c. Would the project expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations? Implementation of some of the Ukiah measures and actions, as described under Response 3b., would promote infrastructure development and redevelopment that may result in temporary construction activities. Constructionrelated air quality impacts are generally associated with diesel particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide emissions from heavy construction vehicles and soil hauling trucks. However, implementation of Ukiah CAP would not include large-scale construction, and construction-related emissions would be temporary. As such, implementation of the Ukiah CAP could result in low-level toxic air contaminant emissions associated with construction. While the Ukiah CAP could result in construction-related impacts related to toxic air contaminants and
32 exposure to sensitive receptors located within 1,000 feet of construction activities, Ukiah CAP measures and actions would be reviewed for consistency with MCAQMD air quality regulations and other applicable local, State, and federal regulations through the standard development review process once project details and locations are known to minimize air pollutant exposure impacts. Thus, construction associated with implementation of the Ukiah CAP is not expected to result in substantial emissions of toxic air contaminants and exposure to sensitive receptors. In addition, no operational toxic air contaminant emissions are anticipated with implementation of the Ukiah CAP measures and actions. Therefore, overall, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to exposure of sensitive receptors to toxic air contaminants. d. Would the project result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people?
The CARB 2005 Air Quality Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective identifies land uses associated with odor complaints which include: sewage treatment plants, landfills, recycling facilities, waste transfer stations, petroleum refineries, biomass operations, auto body shops, coating operations, fiberglass manufacturing, foundries, rendering plants, and livestock operations.
40 Ukiah CAP Action SW-1a seeks to reduce community landfilled organics by 75 percent by 2030 to meet the requirements of SB 1383. Projects associated with this action include implementing the organic waste diversion requirements of SB 1383 by encouraging food waste diversion. As such, the Ukiah CAP could result in minor odors related to organic waste collection. However, green waste collection bins and compost application are not identified on the list of “Sources of Odor Complaints” (Table 1-4) as provided in the CARB Air Quality Land Use Handbook and would not be anticipated to result in other odors that would adversely affect a substantial number of people.
41 Therefore, the Ukiah CAP would not facilitate development that could create odors, and there would be a less-than-significant impact related to odors exposure.
Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, households, and service population forecasts identified in the supporting documentation for the Ukiah CAP, based on demographic data and projections from the California Department of Finance and State of California Employment Development Department, as well as projected land use as outlined in the Ukiah 2040 General Plan and the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation for the City of Ukiah (refer to Table 5). Ukiah CAP-related projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Ukiah’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, could result in air pollutant emissions that exceed applicable MCAQMD thresholds or be inconsistent with the PM Attainment Plan.
However, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would have a less than significant contribution related to potential cumulative air quality impacts within the Air Basin and on sensitive receptors within Ukiah, given that the Ukiah CAP would result in communitywide reduction of GHG emissions, energy use, single-occupancy vehicle travel, and associated air pollutant emissions and just temporary air pollutant emissions during infrastructure construction activities. As such, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would not result in adverse impacts related to contribution of criteria pollutants to the air basin or exposure of sensitive receptors to toxic air contaminants but rather result in cobenefits to air quality within the Air Basin. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in an overall lessthan-significant cumulative impact related to air quality. 40 CARB. 2005. Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective. https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/defaultsource/ceqa/handbook/california-air-resources-board-air-quality-and-land-use-handbook-a-community-health-perspective.pdf (accessed January 2025).
41 CARB. 2005. Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective. https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/defaultsource/ceqa/handbook/california-air-resources-board-air-quality-and-land-use-handbook-a-community-health-perspective.pdf (accessed January 2025).
33 4 Biological Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species
identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special
status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? □ □ ■ □ b. Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian
habitat or other sensitive natural community
identified in local or regional plans, policies,
regulations or by the California Department of Fish
and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? □ □ ■ □ c. Have a substantial adverse effect on state or
federally protected wetlands (including, but not
limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through
direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or
other means? □ □ ■ □
d. Interfere substantially with the movement of any
native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species
or with established native resident or migratory
wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native
wildlife nursery sites? □ □ ■ □
e. Conflict with any local policies or ordinances
protecting biological resources, such as a tree
preservation policy or ordinance? □ □ □ ■
f. Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat
Conservation Plan, Natural Community
Conservation Plan, or other approved local,
regional, or state habitat conservation plan? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as candidate, sensitive, or special status in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Special-status species are those plants and animals listed, proposed for listing, or candidates for listing as Threatened or Endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Federal Endangered Species Act or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) under the California Endangered Species Act. There are several special-status wildlife with the potential to occur within Ukiah and its vicinity, including the northern spotted owl, western yellow-billed cuckoo, western bumblebee, Crotch’s bumblebee, tricolored blackbird, foothill yellow-legged frog, red-bellied newt, chinook salmon, and steelhead trout. In addition, there is the potential for special-status plant species to occur within Ukiah, including Sonoma sunshine, Burke’s goldfields, Contra Costa goldfields, Roderick’s fritillary, Boggs Lake hedge-hyssop, North Coast semaphore grass, and Baker’s meadowfoam.
34 These species may be found in streams, grasslands, riparian woodland, and forests within and nearby Ukiah. 42, 43 In addition, migratory and nesting birds protected by Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3513 of the California Fish and Game Code (CFGC) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) may utilize trees, landscaping, and structures throughout Ukiah for nesting habitat. The Ukiah 2040 General Plan incorporates goals and policies to protect special status species including the following44:
o Policy ENV-4.1 Habitat Preservation: The City shall require new development to preserve and enhance natural areas that serve, or may potentially serve, as habitat for special-status species. Where preservation is not feasible, the City shall require appropriate mitigation. o ENV-4.4 River and Creek Preservation: The City shall work cooperatively with the County and private landowners to develop pedestrian access along creeks flowing through the City where safe and feasible to do so and where it will not cause adverse impacts.
o ENV-4.9 Biological Resource Assessment: The City shall require that new development proposed in or adjacent to ecologically sensitive areas, to complete a site-specific biological resource assessment prepared by a qualified biologist that establishes the existing resources present.
CAP measures and actions would generally apply to the urban areas of the City, with little application to parks, open spaces area, or the undeveloped portions of the City where sensitive habitat and related species may be present. The only CAP action that could affect the non-urbanized portions of Ukiah is Action CS-1b, which calls for wildfire prevention efforts in the western hills and forested areas of the City. This may involve vegetation management through low-intensity vegetation clearing or grazing. Vegetation management activities and future projects facilitated under the CAP would be subject to the provisions of the various federal and State natural resources regulations and their respective permitting processes for the protection of special status species and their habitat. Compliance with permitting processes and State and federal requirements during implementation of Action CS-1b would confirm that significant impacts to special status species and their habitat would not occur.
Implementation of some CAP actions would promote new infrastructure within the developed portions of the City and could result in impacts to migratory and nesting birds protected under Sections 3503, 3503.5, and 3513 of the CFGC and under the MBTA, as well as special status species that could be supported within ruderal in-fill lots such as Crotch’s bumblebee, through construction activities. Construction activities could directly cause mortality or result in indirect impacts through loss of breeding, foraging, and nesting habitat. CAP Action BE-1b would result in the addition of solar PV and battery storage within the City. Actions BE-2c and BE-2e promote microgrid projects and decommissioning of the City's natural gas system that may require minor construction activities to modify electrical and natural gas connections to existing buildings. Actions BE-4a and BE-4b would require decarbonization of municipal buildings, which may require minor construction activities for electricity upgrades. Actions T-1a, T-1c, and T-1d would encourage development of new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, which may involve construction activities to create new bike lanes and bike/pedestrian paths throughout Ukiah. Action T-2a would involve improvements to bus stops and the potential development of a local electric trolley system. In addition, Actions T-4b and T-6c seek to install EV and ZEV chargers and fueling stations throughout the City. However, construction activities for future CAP projects would be required to adhere to the provisions of Federal and California Endangered Species Acts, CDFW and USFWS permitting requirements, and Ukiah 2040 General Plan goals and policies that protect special status species. In addition, CAP Measure CS-1 calls for regenerative land and water management, conservation of the western hills and forested areas of the City, and increased tree canopy throughout Ukiah.
Increased tree canopy and protected natural areas would provide additional habitat for special status species and migratory and nesting birds. As such, the Ukiah CAP would not have a substantial adverse effect on candidate, threatened, or endangered species either directly through individual take or indirectly through species habitat modification. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to special-status wildlife species.
42 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report. https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/Ukiah_2040_Draft_EIR_with_Appendices.pdf (accessed January 2025). 43 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. Environment and Sustainability Element https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025). 44 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. Environment and Sustainability Element https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025).
35 b. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?
c. Have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? Ukiah contains wetlands, streams, riparian areas, and other sensitive habitat. Riparian habitats are located along the Russian River and provide habitat for a variety of plant species including, blackberry, wild rose, wild grape, and coyote bush.45 Wetlands and other waters in Ukiah are protected by the federal Clean Water Act, the California PorterCologne Water Quality Control Act, and CFGC Section 1600 et seq., and are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the CDFW. Federal and State regulations require avoidance of impacts to the extent feasible, as well as compensation for unavoidable losses of jurisdictional wetlands and waters and sensitive natural communities and riparian habitat. UCC Chapter 8 requires compliance with the Clean Water Act.46 In addition, policies ENV-6.1 through ENV-6.8 of the Ukiah 2040 General Plan describe the City’s commitment to protection of wetlands, riparian areas, and other natural habitats within Ukiah. 47 This includes
the following:
o ENV-6.1 Restoration Master Plans: The City shall establish a Creek and Stream Restoration Master Plan for each creek flowing through the City limits.
o ENV-6.2 Contamination and Sedimentation Prevention: The City shall require new development to use site preparation, grading, and construction techniques that prevent contamination and sedimentation of creeks and streams.
o ENV-6.3 Waterway Restoration: The City shall encourage and provide resources to landowners in the city to remove invasive species, plant native plant species, and prevent pollution from entering local creeks and waterways.
o ENV-6.4 Waterway Channelization: The City shall actively support the use of natural waterways within the city by avoiding any new waterway channelization within the city and collaborating with local and regional agencies to restore channelized waterways where feasible. o ENV-6.5 Creek Protection: The City shall require new development located adjacent to stream corridors to include appropriate measures for creek bank stabilization, erosion and sedimentation prevention, and natural creek channel and riparian vegetation preservation. o ENV-6.6 Erosion Control Plan: The City shall require new development that requires significant grading near creeks, streams, wetlands, and riparian areas to prepare erosion control plans that address grading practices that prevent soil erosion, loss of topsoil, and drainageway scour, consistent with biological and aesthetic values.
o ENV-6.7 Public Open Space: The City shall work with Mendocino County and the Public Spaces Commission to identify and select appropriate locations along creek channels, hillsides, and ridgelines that would be appropriate for future acquisition and development as trails, pocket parks, wildlife preserves, or other public open space.
o ENV-6.8 Research and Educational Access: The City shall work with public and private landowners adjacent to creeks to allow public access to creeks, streams, waterways, and riparian areas for educational and research programs.
The Ukiah CAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would instead promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment within developed areas of the City, with little application to parks, open space area, or other locations where riparian, wetland, and sensitive habitat is located. Though future CAP projects would be unlikely to occur in the vicinity of riparian or wetland areas, if development is proposed in areas identified as jurisdictional waters and/or wetlands, streambed/banks, or riparian vegetation, it would be required to comply with the requirements of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and/or California Department of Fish and Wildlife, pursuant to Section 404 and 401 of Clean Water Act, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and/or California Fish and Game Code Section 1600 et seq. Compliance with these 45 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. Environment and Sustainability Element https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025). 46 Ukiah, City of. 2025. Ukiah City Code Chapter 8. https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Ukiah/#!/html/Ukiah04/Ukiah0408.html (accessed January 2025).
47 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan. Environment and Sustainability Element https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025).
36 regulations would include obtaining the appropriate CDFW, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and/or Regional Water Quality Control Board permits and complying with avoidance, minimization, and habitat restoration measures required by the applicable agencies. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-thansignificant impact related to riparian habitat or sensitive natural communities, such as wetlands. d. Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites? Much of the City is developed, however riparian corridors and other undeveloped areas may provide corridors for wildlife movement. The Ukiah 2040 General Plan contains goals and policies that would reduce impacts to wildlife movement. Goal ENV-4, Policies ENV-4.1 through ENV-4.3, Goal ENV-6, and Policies ENV-6.1 through ENV-6.8 address development in or near wildlife corridors, including riparian habitat and other sensitive natural communities.48 The Ukiah CAP would promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment within developed portions of the City, and would not affect the riparian corridors and natural areas where habitat supporting wildlife migration and wildlife nursery sites may be present. Future Ukiah CAP projects would be required to adhere to City development regulations and Ukiah 2040 General Plan policies and would be reviewed for consistency with applicable local, regional, and State regulations to limit the potential for impacts to biological resources. In addition, implementation of Ukiah CAP Measure CS-1 would enhance conservation efforts within the western hills and forested areas of Ukiah, prioritize regenerative land and water management and ecosystem restoration, and create an Urban Forest Master Plan and Tree Protection Plan to increase the urban tree canopy. This measure would aid in conserving habitat areas and habitat connectivity within the City. Therefore, the Ukiah CAP would result in a lessthan-significant impact related to interference with species movement or wildlife nursery use. e. Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance?
Chapter 2, Article 18, Section 9229.3 of the UCC, was established to regulate the protection and management of protected trees and landmark trees within the City.
49 Protected tree species include black oak, blue oak, coast live oak, interior live oak, oracle oak, Oregon oak, valley oak, white oak, native California oak, California buckeye, California bay, and California/coast redwood. The Ukiah Tree Management Guidelines contains policies for the protection, operation, and maintenance of the City’s urban forest.50 The Ukiah 2040 General Plan also contains certain policies to maintain and enhance tree preservation throughout the City. These include the following:
o Policy LU-11.8 Tree Preservation: The City shall encourage the preservation of trees on public and private property. Priority should be given to the preservation of trees considered significant due to their size, history, unusual species, or unique quality.
o Policy ENV-2.1 Tree Preservation: The City shall update and maintain City tree inventories to support landmark trees preservation and urban biodiversity, including trees designated for streets and parking lots, and city facilities. The City shall also prepare an Urban Forest Master Plan, review it’s Tree Management Guidelines and study the feasibility of preparing a Tree Protection Ordinance.
The Ukiah CAP would not involve land use or zoning changes but would instead promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment within developed areas of the City. The purpose and intended effect of the Ukiah CAP is to reduce GHG emissions generated in Ukiah to help reduce the effects of climate change. Ukiah CAP Action CS-1a facilitates the implementation of an urban forest master plan that would increase tree canopy throughout the City, and Action CS-1b calls for preservation of forested areas within the City. Implementation of these actions would align with Ukiah 2040 General Plan policies related to tree protection. As such, the CAP would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable policies for preserving biological resources and would not affect the City’s ability to attain goals and policies that protect biological resources. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in no impact related to consistency with local biological resources protection policies. 48 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report. https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/Ukiah_2040_Draft_EIR_with_Appendices.pdf (accessed February 2025). 49 Ukiah, City of. 2025. Ukiah City Code Chapter 2, Article 18, Section 9229.3 https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Ukiah/#!/Ukiah09/Ukiah0902-1800.html#9229.3 (accessed January 2025). 50 Ukiah, City of. 2023. Tree Management Guidelines. https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tree-ManagementGuidelines-2023ApprovedFinal.pdf (accessed February 2025).
37 f. Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or State habitat conservation plan? No part of Ukiah is currently covered by a habitat conservation plan or a natural community conservation plan. The nearest such plan is the Yolo County Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan, located in Yolo County, approximately 42 miles southeast of Ukiah. 51 Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in no impact related to consistency with an adopted habitat or natural community conservation plan.
Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, households, and service population forecasts identified in the supporting documentation for the Ukiah CAP, based on demographic data and projections from the California Department of Finance and State of California Employment Development Department, as well as projected land use as outlined in the Ukiah 2040 General Plan and the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation for the City of Ukiah (refer to Table 5). Implementation of future Ukiah CAP projects, in combination with other cumulative projects that occur to accommodate Ukiah’s anticipated population, employment, and housing growth, could result in impacts to biological resources during infrastructure and building construction. However, cumulative projects, including infrastructure resulting from implementation of the Ukiah CAP, would be required to comply with applicable Ukiah 2040 General Plan policies, the UCC, and State and federal regulatory requirements regarding avoidance of special wildlife species and habitat. In addition, the Ukiah CAP contains actions that prioritize the preservation of trees and habitat conservation and restoration. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to biological resources. 51 California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 2025. NCCP Plan Summaries. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Planning/NCCP/Plans (accessed January 2025)
38 5 Cultural Resources
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource pursuant to
Section15064.5? □ □ ■ □
b. Cause a substantial adverse change in the
significance of an archaeological resource
pursuant to Section15064.5? □ □ ■ □
c. Disturb any human remains, including those
interred outside of dedicated cemeteries? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to Section15064.5?
The City maintains a Historic Structure Preservation Policy and Architectural Inventory, which includes landmarks, residential and commercial districts, and individual structures of local importance. Approximately 207 individual structures are listed as heritage resources, along with four properties that are identified as local landmarks. The City of Ukiah does not have a designated historical district; however, it contains historical sites and landmarks. 52 Ukiah
2040 General Plan Goal ENV-3 and Policies ENV-3.1 through ENV-3.7 illustrate the City’s goals and policies related to the preservation of historical and cultural resources within Ukiah. 53 In addition, UCC Chapter 2, Article 18, Section
9227 regulates development affecting historical and cultural resources within the downtown area of the City. 54 The Ukiah CAP would not involve land use or zoning designation changes but would instead promote infrastructure development and redevelopment that would be complimentary to existing development. Future Ukiah CAP projects would be required to comply with the applicable Ukiah 2040 General Plan policies, including Goal ENV-3, which aims to preserve and protect historic and archaeological resources in Ukiah, and Policy ENV-3.6, which requires the City to maintain, preserve, and improve City-owned historic structures and sites in an architecturally and environmentally sensitive manner.
55 Future projects, as applicable, would also be required to comply with UCC Chapter 2, Article 18, Section 9227, which regulates development affecting heritage, historical, and cultural resources within the downtown area of the City. CAP-related projects would be reviewed for compliance with applicable local, regional, and State regulations regarding cultural resources and the Ukiah 2040 General Plan to avoid adverse impacts related to historical resources. Therefore, with adherence to existing policies and regulations, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to historical resources. b. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section15064.5?
According to the Ukiah 2040 General Plan Environmental Impact Report (EIR), nine archaeological sites have been identified within the City and include both precontact and historic-era archaeological components. The Northern Pomo, Spanish, Mexican, and American settlers historically inhabited Ukiah; therefore, in addition to known resources, remnants of these past cultures could be buried or obscured in undeveloped portions of Ukiah, or in areas 52 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Environment and Sustainability Element. https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025). 53 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Environment and Sustainability Element. https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025). 54 Ukiah, City of. 2025. Ukiah City Code Chapter 2, Article 18, Section 9227. https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Ukiah/#!/html/Ukiah09/Ukiah0902-1800.html (accessed January 2025). 55 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Environment and Sustainability Element. https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025).
39 that were developed before environmental regulations and cultural resource protection laws were passed.56 Policy ENV-3.2 of the Ukiah 2040 General Plan directs that the City shall ensure appropriate and feasible mitigation for new development that has the potential to impact sites likely to contain archaeological, paleontological, cultural, or tribal resources. Policy ENV-3.3 requires any construction, grading, or other site altering activities cease if cultural, archaeological, paleontological, or cultural resources are discovered during until a qualified professional has completed an evaluation of the site.
57 Additionally, Chapter 2, Article 18, Section 9227 of the UCC aims to protect the City’s cultural resources. 58
The Ukiah CAP would promote infrastructure development that would generally be limited to previously developed and disturbed areas of the City where the presence of archaeological resources is unlikely. Future Ukiah CAP projects would be located and designed strategically to reduce ground disturbance to the maximum extent possible.
Nonetheless, there is a possibility for archaeological sites not previously recorded to be present in areas where future Ukiah CAP projects could occur. Ukiah CAP Actions BE-1b, BE-2c, BE-2e, BE-4a, BE-4b, T-1a, T-1c, T-1d, T-2a, T-4b and T-6c may result in construction that could expose previously undiscovered archaeological resources during ground disturbing activities. However, Ukiah CAP projects would be reviewed for consistency with applicable local, regional, and State archeological regulations prior to final siting and construction and would be required to comply with Policy ENV-3.2 and Policy ENV-3.3 of the Ukiah 2040 General Plan and Chapter 2 Section 9227 of the UCC, requiring the protection of cultural resources. Therefore, with adherence to existing policies and regulations, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to archaeological resources. c. Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of dedicated cemeteries? There is a possibility of encountering unknown buried human remains throughout Ukiah during construction activities. The Ukiah CAP would promote infrastructure development that would generally be limited to previously developed and disturbed areas of the City where the presence of human remains is unlikely. However, there is the potential for future Ukiah CAP-related projects to encounter unknown human remains during project construction activities. Future projects that occur in accordance with the Ukiah CAP would be required to comply with California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 and California Public Resources Code Section 5097.98 regulations related to burial findings, including notification, assessment, and treatment of burial sites. Therefore, with adherence to existing regulations, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to potential disturbance of human remains.
Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, households, and service population forecasts identified in the supporting documentation for the Ukiah CAP, based on demographic data and projections from the California Department of Finance and State of California Employment Development Department, as well as projected land use as outlined in the Ukiah 2040 General Plan and the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation for the City of Ukiah (refer to Table 5). Implementation of the Ukiah CAP, in combination with other cumulative projects anticipated under buildout of the Ukiah 2040 General Plan, would have the potential for adverse effects to historical and archaeological resources throughout Ukiah during construction. The CAP could incrementally contribute to the adverse effects of cumulative development through small-scale construction activities that could damage previously undiscovered cultural resources. However, impacts to cultural resources are generally sitespecific. Accordingly, potential impacts associated with cumulative development projects would be addressed on a case-by-case basis. In addition, future projects in the City, including those associated with implementation of the CAP, would be required to comply with the City’s General Plan Historic Structure Preservation Policy and Architectural Inventory and Chapter 2 Section 9227 of the UCC, as applicable, that require the identification and protection of sites and structures of architectural, historical, archaeological, and cultural significance, to avoid impacts related to cultural resources. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant cumulative impact related to cultural resources.
56 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report. https://ukiah2040.com/images/docs/Ukiah_2040_Draft_EIR_with_Appendices.pdf (accessed February 2025). 57 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Environment and Sustainability Element. https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025). 58 Ukiah, City of. 2025. Ukiah City Code Chapter 2, Article 18, Section 9227. https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Ukiah/#!/html/Ukiah09/Ukiah0902-1800.html (accessed January 2025).
40 6 Energy
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact No Impact
Would the project:
a. Result in a potentially significant environmental
impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or
unnecessary consumption of energy resources,
during project construction or operation? □ □ □ ■
b. Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan
for renewable energy or energy efficiency? □ □ □ ■
a. Would the project result in a potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation? California is one of the lowest per-capita energy users in the United States, ranked 49th in the nation, due to its energy efficiency programs and mild climate.59 California consumed 663,214 gigawatt-hours of electricity and 23,421 million therms of natural gas in 2022.
60,61 The single largest end-use sector for energy consumption in California is transportation (42.6 percent), followed by industry (22.5 percent), residential (17.6 percent), and commercial (17.4 percent).62 The City of Ukiah has demonstrated its commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy through adoption of their 2040 General Plan and establishment of their Climate Adaptation and Resilience Division. The City has adopted CALGreen, pursuant to UCC Division 3, Chapter 1 Section 3000, which requires efficiency measures to reduce energy use and provide energy reduction benefits. Based on the City’s 2022 GHG emissions inventory, the largest end-use sector for energy consumption in Ukiah is transportation, which was responsible for approximately 53 percent of total GHG emissions in 2022, followed by building energy (electricity), building energy (natural gas), water and wastewater and solid waste.
Implementation of some Ukiah CAP measures and actions, such as the installation of new active transportation and public transit infrastructure, would require construction. However, energy use for the construction of such projects would be temporary in nature, and construction equipment used would be typical of similar-sized construction projects in the region. Construction contractors would be required to comply with applicable CARB regulations such as accelerated retrofitting, repowering, or replacement of heavy-duty diesel on-road and off-road equipment.
Construction contractors are also required to comply with the provisions of CCR Title 13, Sections 2449 and 2485, and CARB regulations prohibiting diesel-fueled commercial and off-road vehicles from idling for more than five minutes, minimizing unnecessary fuel consumption. Construction equipment would be subject to the USEPA Construction Equipment Fuel Efficiency Standard, which would minimize inefficient fuel consumption. These construction equipment standards (i.e., Tier 4 efficiency requirements) are contained in 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1039, 1065, and 1068. Electrical power may be consumed during construction activities, and the demand, to the extent required, would be supplied from existing electrical infrastructure in the region. Overall, construction activities would not have a substantial adverse impact on available electricity supplies or infrastructure.
Upon completion of construction for any CAP-related infrastructure development, non-renewable energy use would be reduced by increasing renewable energy production and storage and reducing VMT within the City.
The purpose and intended effect of the Ukiah CAP is to reduce GHG emissions generated within the Ukiah community to minimize the effects of climate change, including those emissions generated by energy use. The Ukiah CAP would not result in the use of non-renewable resources in a wasteful or inefficient manner; rather, it would assist in reducing the use of non-renewable energy resources and increasing the production of local renewable energy.
Therefore, the Ukiah CAP would result in no impact related to the wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy.
59 U.S. Energy Information Administration (USEIA). 2025. “California - Profile Overview.” https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=CA.(accessed January 2025). 60 CEC. 2025. Electricity Consumption by County. http://www.ecdms.energy.ca.gov/elecbyutil.aspx (accessed January 2025). 61 CEC. 2025. Gas Consumption by County. http://www.ecdms.energy.ca.gov/gasbycounty.aspx (January 2025). 62 USEIA. 2022. “California Energy Consumption by End-Use Sector, 2022.” https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=CA#tabs-2 (accessed January 2025).
41 b. Would the project conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency? Relevant State plans and policies that aim to increase energy efficiency and the production of renewable energy include SB 1020, the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen or Title 24 Part 11), and the 2022 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24 Part 6). SB 1020 supports the reduction of GHG emissions from the electricity sector by accelerating the State RPS Program and requires electricity providers to increase procurement from eligible renewable energy resources to 90 percent of total retail sales by 2035, 95 percent by 2040, and 100 percent by 2045. CALGreen institutes mandatory minimum environmental performance standards for all ground-up new construction of non-residential and residential structures. In addition, the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards establish energy-efficiency standards for residential and non-residential buildings in order to reduce California’s energy demand. Title 24 is updated periodically to incorporate and consider new energy-efficiency technologies and methodologies as they become available. New construction and major renovations must demonstrate their compliance with the current Building Energy Efficiency Standards through submission and approval of a Title 24 Compliance Report to the local building permit review authority and the CEC.
While the City of Ukiah has not adopted a local plan specifically for renewable energy or energy efficiency, the Ukiah 2040 General Plan contains certain policies to promote renewable and sustainability energy as well as energy efficiency. These include the following:
o Policy ED-2.2 Energy Infrastructure: The City shall work to improve energy infrastructure to increase availability, reliability, sustainability, and use of renewable energy sources. o Policy ED-11.2 Green Economy: The City shall support the development and reduce local regulatory barriers for industries and businesses that promote and enhance environmental sustainability, greenhouse gas reductions, decarbonization, climate change adaptation, resiliency, and renewable energy generation, storage, and transmission, including solar power and other appropriate renewable sources. o Policy PFS-6.1 New Initiatives: The City shall support innovative, sustainable, and alternative practices and technologies for delivering energy and utility services to the community. o Policy PFS-8.2 Sustainable Design and Energy Efficiency: The City shall encourage the site planning and design of new buildings to maximize energy efficiency
o Policy ENV-8.2 Micro-grid and Small Battery Storage: The City shall encourage the development of smallscale battery storage and micro grid capacity for storing renewable power for nighttime energy use. o Policy ENV-8.3 Municipal Building Electrification Plan: The City shall adopt an electrification plan for all municipal buildings to convert them to all electric using energy from carbon-free and renewable sources by 2035.
o Policy ENV-8.5 Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy: The City shall promote energy conservation in municipal facilities by seeking opportunities to install energy efficient fixtures and appliances, solar panels, solar battery storage, and other retrofits to new and existing structures The Ukiah CAP contains climate action strategies to reduce communitywide GHG emissions. Specifically, the CAP would encourage energy efficiency and a transition away from natural gas use in existing buildings and new construction through Measures BE-2, BE-3, and BE-4 by requiring building decarbonization, energy efficiency upgrades, and phasing out natural gas use. Furthermore, the Ukiah CAP would reduce transportation-related energy consumption by increasing active transportation and public transit use, reducing VMT, and reducing the use of gasoline vehicles and equipment via implementation of Measures T-1 through Measure T-5. In addition, future Ukiah CAP related projects would be required to demonstrate compliance with CALGreen and California Building Energy Efficiency standards, as applicable, by implementing sustainability and energy efficiency measures such as highefficiency lighting and HVAC systems, low-flow water fixtures, dual-paned windows, water efficient landscaping and irrigation systems. Compliance with these regulations would minimize potential conflicts with adopted energy conservation plans. These measures and actions are consistent with goals and policies established by the Ukiah 2040 General Plan Environment and Sustainability Element, CALGreen, and the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
Additionally, CAP Actions BE-1a and BE-1b would encourage the production, use, and storage of local renewable energy. These actions support the renewable energy goals established by SB 1020. Overall, the Ukiah CAP would be consistent with the goals and policies established by SB 1020, CALGreen, and the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in no impact related to consistency with State and local renewable energy and energy efficiency plans.
42 Cumulative Impacts
The cumulative projects scenario is the population, employment, households, and service population forecasts identified in the supporting documentation for the Ukiah CAP, based on demographic data and projections from the California Department of Finance and State of California Employment Development Department, as well as projected land use as outlined in the Ukiah 2040 General Plan and the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation for the City of Ukiah (refer to Table 5). Implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in reduced use of nonrenewable energy resources across the community through energy efficiency upgrades and building decarbonization requirements. Implementation of the Ukiah CAP would also increase the production and storage of renewable energy within the City. Additionally, the Ukiah CAP includes measures to increase the use of active transportation and public transit and reduce VMT within the City, which would reduce transportation fuel use. As the City’s population grows and development intensifies in the future, as anticipated under Ukiah 2040 General Plan buildout, measures contained within the Ukiah CAP would ensure that new development is constructed to strict energy efficiency standards, the City sources its energy from renewable sources, and that growth is directed to infill areas to reduce suburban sprawl and transportation energy use. As the Ukiah CAP would result in decreased non-renewable energy use within the City and would align with existing plans and policies related to renewable energy and energy efficiency, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in no cumulative impact related to energy.
43 7 Geology and Soils
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Less than
Significant
with
Mitigation
Incorporated
Less than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
Would the project:
a. Directly or indirectly cause potential substantial
adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury,
or death involving:
1. Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as
delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo
Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the
State Geologist for the area or based on
other substantial evidence of a known fault?
Refer to Division of Mines and Geology
Special Publication 42. □ □ □ ■
2. Strong seismic ground shaking? □ □ □ ■
3. Seismic-related ground failure, including
liquefaction? □ □ □ ■
4. Landslides? □ □ □ ■
b. Result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of
topsoil? □ □ ■ □
c. Be located on a geologic unit or soil that is
unstable, or that would become unstable as a
result of the project, and potentially result in onor off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse? □ □ ■ □
d. Be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table
1-B of the Uniform Building Code (1994), creating
substantial direct or indirect risks to life or
property? □ □ ■ □
e. Have soils incapable of adequately supporting the
use of septic tanks or alternative wastewater
disposal systems where sewers are not available
for the disposal of wastewater? □ □ □ ■
f. Directly or indirectly destroy a unique
paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature? □ □ ■ □
a. Would the project directly or indirectly cause potential substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving:
• Rupture of a known earthquake fault, as delineated on the most recent Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Map issued by the State Geologist for the area or based on other substantial evidence of a known fault? Refer to Division of Mines and Geology Special Publication 42. • Strong seismic ground shaking?
• Seismic-related ground failure, including liquefaction? • Landslides?
Mendocino County has five fault zones that are considered potentially active. The northern section of the Maacama fault is the closest to Ukiah. The Maacama fault extends north near Laytonville, California, and runs south to Sonoma
44 County passing through residential subdivisions and agricultural lands within the Ukiah Valley. The Alquist-Priolo fault line runs northeast of the City. However, no part of the City falls within the fault zone. Therefore, fault rupture is not considered to be a constraint to development within the City.63 However, the City could experience strong seismic ground shaking and seismic-related ground failure (e.g., liquefaction and settlement) from earthquakes on active faults located outside of the City.
Although Ukiah is at risk of earthquake-induced ground shaking and associated hazards, the Ukiah CAP contains measures and actions to reduce GHG emissions and would not exacerbate seismic hazards. The Ukiah CAP does not propose habitable development or policies that could result in direct or indirect substantial adverse effects, including the risk of loss, injury, or death involving rupture of a known earthquake fault, strong seismic ground shaking, seismic-related ground failure including liquefaction, or landslides. Therefore, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in no impact related to seismic- and landslide-related hazards. b. Would the project result in substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil? The Ukiah CAP does not propose specific projects or land use or zoning changes but would promote sustainable infrastructure development and redevelopment. As a policy document, the Ukiah CAP would not directly require ground-disturbing activities. However, implementation of several CAP measures may result in construction activities that could cause soil erosion or the loss of topsoil during construction. CAP Action BE-1b would result in the addition of solar PV and battery storage within the City. Actions BE-2c and BE-2e promote microgrid projects and decommissioning of the City's natural gas system, which may require minor construction activities to modify electrical and natural gas connections to existing buildings. Actions BE-4a and BE-4b would require decarbonization of municipal buildings, which may require minor construction activities for electricity upgrades. Actions T-1a, T-1c, and T-1d would encourage development of new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, which may involve construction activities to create new bike lanes and bike/pedestrian paths throughout Ukiah. Action T-2a would involve improvements to bus stops and development of a local electric trolley system. In addition, Actions T-4b and T-6c seek to install EV and ZEV chargers and fueling stations throughout the City.
As such, the Ukiah CAP could result in construction-related soil erosion and top soil loss impacts associated with these infrastructure improvements. However, future Ukiah CAP projects and actions would be reviewed for consistency with Ukiah 2040 General Plan Goal ENV-6.6 Erosion Control Plans, UCC Chapter 7, Section 9704 and other local and State Geology and soils regulations prior to final siting and construction. 64, 65 Soil erosion caused by
strong wind and/or earth-moving operations during construction would be minimized through compliance with MCAQMD Rule 1-4030a-b Dust Control, which prohibits particulate matter from becoming airborne and reasonable precautions shall be taken to prevent particulate matter from becoming airborne. 66 Additionally, any projects
involving clearing, grading, or excavation that causes soil disturbance of 1 or more acres would be required to prepare and comply with a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) that provides a schedule for the implementation and maintenance of erosion control measures and a description of applicable erosion control practices, in accordance with the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge System (NPDES) Construction General Permit. With compliance with these existing regulations, implementation of the Ukiah CAP would result in a less-than-significant impact related to soil erosion and loss of topsoil. c. Would the project be located on a geologic unit or soil that is unstable as a result of the project, and potentially result in on- or off-site landslide, lateral spreading, subsidence, liquefaction, or collapse? d. Would the project be located on expansive soil, as defined in Table 1-B of the Uniform Building Code, creating substantial risks to life or property?
Ukiah is not highly susceptible to liquefaction; however, there is moderate risk of liquefaction along creeks and rivers.
The California Geological Survey has not yet assessed the potential for liquefaction and seismically induced landslides in the Ukiah area.
67 The City requires that future proposed projects within designated risk zones undergo professionally prepared geotechnical evaluations prior to site development. If a discretionary permit is required, the 63 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Safety Element. https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040- General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025).
64 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Environment and Sustainability Element. https://cityofukiah.com/wpcontent/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040-General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025). 65 Ukiah, City of. 2025. Ukiah City Code Chapter 7, Section 9704 https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Ukiah/#!/Ukiah09/Ukiah0907.html#9704 (accessed January 2025). 66 Mendocino County Air Quality Management District (MCAQMD) 2025. Duct Control https://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/aqmd/grading-dust-controls.html (accessed January 2025). 67 Ukiah, City of. 2022. Ukiah 2040 General Plan Safety Element. https://cityofukiah.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Ukiah-2040- General-Plan_reduced.pdf (accessed January 2025).