Wildomar City Council
December 9, 2024

Table 5.17-2 AM and PM Peak Period Bicycle Counts
Location AM Peak PM Peak Total
Grand Avenue & Gruwell Street 4 3 7
Mission Trail & Bundy Canyon Road 3 3 6
Orange Street & Bundy Canyon Road 2 4 6
Grand Avenue & Wildomar Trail1 4 2 6
I-15 NB ramps & Clinton Keith Road 4 1 5
Wildomar Trail2 & Clinton Keith Road 4 1 5
Inland Valley Drive & Prielipp Road 5 0 5
I-15 SB ramps & Bundy Canyon Road 3 1 4
I-15 NB ramps & Bundy Canyon Road 3 1 4
I-15 SB Ramps & Clinton Keith Road 3 1 4
Hidden Springs Road & Clinton Keith Road 2 1 3
Monte Vista Drive & Bundy Canyon Road 1 1 2
Inland Valley Drive & Clinton Keith Road 2 0 2
The Farm Road & Bundy Canyon Road 0 1 1
I-15 SB ramps & Wildomar Trail3 0 0 0
I-15 NB ramps & Wildomar Trail3 0 0 0
Wildomar Trail4 & La Estrella Street 0 0 0
Source: Wildomar 2020. 1 Formerly Central Street 2 Formerly George Avenue 3 Formerly Baxter Road 4 Formerly Porras Road/George Avenue Bicycle Connectivity and Safety
Currently, the City’s bicycle network primarily consists of bicycle lanes along Grand Avenue from the northern City limits to Clinton Keith Road and along Clinton Keith Road from Grand Avenue to Wildomar Trail. Class II bicycle lanes exist on Palomar Street between McVicar Street and Clinton Keith Road and on McVicar Street, between Palomar Street and Grand Avenue. The Clinton Keith bridge over I-15 is a Class III bike route; Clinton Keith Road consists of approximately one block of Class IV cycle track facility. Figure

5.17-2, Existing Bicycle Network, shows the existing bicycle facilities within the City.

From October 2014 through October 2019, 13 bicycle-involved collisions were reported, and approximately 70 percent occurred on Clinton Keith Road, Mission Trail, and Palomar Street (Wildomar 2020).

Equestrian
The City’s multiuse trails allow for equestrian use; currently, there are approximately 19.8 miles of community, historic, and regional multiuse trails in the City (Wildomar 2020). Note that not all of these trails are public trails. Figure 5.17-3, Multi-Use and Equestrian Trails, shows the multiuse and equestrian trails within the City. 651
36 Wildomar Active Transportation Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Dr
Lost Rd
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p asqua
Rd le
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Hidden
Springs Rd
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Existing Bicycle Facilities
Class I - Bike Path
Class II - Bike Lane
Class II - Buffered Bike Lane
Class III - Bike Route
Class IV - Cycle Track
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Bundy Canyon Rd
Figure 2-9 Existing Bicycle Network
PlaceWorks
Source: CR Associates 2021; Alta Planning and Design 2021.

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR
0 Scale (Miles)
1 Figure 5.17-2 - Existing Bicycle Network

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
Class I - Bike Path
Class II - Bike Lane
Class II - Buffered Bike Lane
Class III - Bike Route
Class IV - Cycle Track

EXISTING BICYCLE FACILITIES
652
38 Wildomar Active Transportation Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
California
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
George Ave
Palomar St
Lost Rd
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p asqua
Rd le
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Hidden
Springs Rd
Trail Type
Community (Roadside Multi-Use Trail)
Historic (Off-road Multi-Use Trail)
Regional Multi-Use Trail
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Monte Vista Dr
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Bundy Canyon Rd
Figure 2-10 Multi-Use and Equestrian Trails
PlaceWorks
Source: CR Associates 2021; Alta Planning and Design 2021.

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

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0 Scale (Miles)
1 Figure 5.17-3 - Multi-Use and Equestrian Trails

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
Community (Roadside Multi-Use Trail)
Historic (Off-road Multi-Use Trail)
Regional Multi-Use Trail

TRAIL TYPE
653

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May 2024 Page 5.17-11
Transit
Transit Network Coverage/Connectivity
Figure 5.17-4, Existing Public Transportation Routes and Stops, shows the existing transit routes, stops, and quarter-mile walksheds around each stop. Quarter-mile walksheds display the distance accessible within a quarter mile of each bus stop, using public roads. The City is served by Bus Routes 23 and 8, operated by the Riverside Transit Authority. Bus Routes 205 and 206 traverse the City along I-15 but do not stop in Wildomar. The City is better served in the north-south direction than in the east-west direction (Wildomar 2020). Bus Route 23 serves the southern section of the City, and Bus Route 8 serves the northern area.

Safety Near Transit Stops
Transit riders frequently access transit stops, such as bus stops, by walking or riding a bike; three pedestrianinvolved collisions and one bicycle-involved collision occurred within 500 feet of a transit stop (Wildomar 2020). These collisions may have occurred due to the lack of complete streets infrastructure.

Vehicular Mobility
Level of Service
Automobile delay, as described by level of service (LOS) or other measurements of vehicular capacity or traffic congestion, is no longer considered a significant impact under CEQA. However, the City uses LOS to determine the appropriate size of roadways and the need for intersection improvements. According to the Wildomar Mobility Plan’s Existing Conditions Report, 8 out of the 48 study segments currently operate at a substandard LOS (E or F) (Wildomar 2020).
 Corydon Road,3 from Palomar Street to Mission Trail (LOS F)  Bundy Canyon Road, from I-15 NB ramps to Monte Vista Road (LOS F)  Bundy Canyon Road, from Monte Vista Road to the Farm Road (LOS F)  Bundy Canyon Road, from the Farm Road to City Limits (LOS F)  Wildomar Trail (formerly Central Street), from Palomar Street to I-15 SB ramps (LOS F)  Clinton Keith Road, from Inland Valley Drive to City Limit (LOS F)  Palomar Street, from Orange Street/Gruwell Street to Wildomar Trail (formerly Central Street) (LOS E)  Inland Valley Drive, from Clinton Keith Road to Prielipp Road (LOS E) Figure 5.17-5, Existing Roadway Network, shows the existing roadway network. 3 The west/north side of this segment is in the City of Lake Elsinore’s jurisdiction (Wildomar 2020). 654
Figure 4.26
Existing Public Transportation Routes and Stops
Wildomar Mobility Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Rd
Lost Rd
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p R
as
d
quale
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Hidden
Springs Rd
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Source: Riverside Transit Agency (2020)
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
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Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Rd
Lost Rd
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p R
as
d
quale
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Hidden
Springs Rd
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
8 23
205
206
208
Alternate Bus Route
Bus Stops
# Bus Route
!
1/4 Mile Walkshed from Bus Stop
PlaceWorks
Source: CR Associates 2021; Alta Planning and Design 2021.

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR
0 Scale (Miles)
1 Figure 5.17-4 - Existing Public Transportation Routes and Stops

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary Figure 4.26
Existing Public Transportation Routes and Stops
Wildomar Mobility Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Rd
Lost Rd
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p R
as
d
quale
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Hidden
Springs Rd
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Source: Riverside Transit Agency (2020)
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
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Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Rd
Lost Rd
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p R
as
d
quale
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Hidden
Springs Rd
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
8 23
205
206
208
Alternate Bus Route
Bus Stops
# Bus Route
!
1/4 Mile Walkshed from Bus Stop
Bus Stops
Bus Route
Alternate Bus Route
1/4-Mile Walkshed from
Bus Stop
655
6-Ln 2-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
6-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
6-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln 4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
6-Ln
4-Ln
Figure 2.1
Existing Functional Classifications
Scott Rd
Murrieta Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Rd
Lost Rd
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Sal di a Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Hidden
Springs Rd
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
The Farm Rd
Existing Functional Classification
Arterial
Major
Secondary
Collector
Unpaved
Sheila Ln
#-Ln Number of Travel Lanes
Source: City of Wildomar (2019)
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
4-Ln
Wildomar General Plan Update
Transportation Impact Study
4-Ln
PlaceWorks
Source: CR Associates 2021; Alta Planning and Design 2021.

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

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0 Scale (Miles)
1 Figure 5.17-5 - Existing Roadway Network

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary

EXISTING FUNCTIONAL

CLASSIFICATION
Arterial
Major
Secondary
Collector
Unpaved
Number of Travel Lanes
656

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5. Environmental Analysis

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Vehicle Miles Traveled
Table 5.17-3, Wildomar Base Year VMT Efficiency Metrics, compares the Riverside County and Wildomar VMT per Service Population for base year (2018) conditions.

Table 5.17-3 Wildomar Base Year VMT Efficiency Metrics
VMT Metric Base Year (2018) Percent of Riverside County – Base Year Riverside County Wildomar Wildomar
VMT per Service Population 34.8 34.6 99%
Source: CR Associates 2024 (Appendix 5.17-1).

As shown in Table 5.17-3, Wildomar is 1 percent more efficient in VMT per Service Population compared to Riverside County.

5.17.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

T-1 Conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities.

T-2 Conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines § 15064.3, subdivision (b).

T-3 Substantially increase hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment).

T-4 Result in inadequate emergency access.

5.17.3 Proposed General Plan Goals and Policies
Land Use Element
GOAL LU 1 Administration: The General Plan is utilized as the guiding planning document for the City and as the basis for regional collaboration.
 Policy LU-1.1 Regional Planning Efforts. Wildomar shall participate in regional efforts to address issues of mobility, transportation, traffic congestion, economic development, air and water quality, and watershed and habitat management with Riverside County, neighboring cities, local and regional agencies, stakeholders, and tribal governments.

GOAL LU 4 Urban Form: A City of distinct centers and corridors surrounded by neighborhoods and connected to a network of parks and open spaces.
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 Policy LU-4.1 Patterns and Distribution of Uses and Density. Accommodate land use development in accordance with the patterns and distribution of use and density depicted on the General Plan Land Use (Figure LU-1) to promote efficient development; reduce automobile dependence and greenhouse gas emissions; ensure compatibility among uses; enhance community livability and health; and sustain economic vitality.
 Policy LU-4.2 Multi-Modal Linkages. Incorporate appropriate linkages for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and other non-vehicular travel modes in the design and development of projects.  Policy LU-4.3 Adequate Circulation Facilities. Require that adequate and accessible circulation facilities exist to meet the demands of a proposed land use.

GOAL LU 6 Maintenance and Compatibility With Other Uses: Development is located and designed to maintain the qualities that distinguish Wildomar and to ensure effective transitions between neighborhoods and districts.
 Policy LU-6.1 Protect from Adverse Impacts. Retain and enhance the integrity of existing residential, employment, and open space areas by protecting them from encroachment of land uses that would result in impacts from noise, noxious fumes, glare, shadowing, and traffic.

GOAL LU 8 Residential Neighborhoods: A City composed of neighborhoods with a variety of housing types that are desirable places to live, contribute to the quality of life, and are well maintained.  Policy LU-8.2 Connections and Linkages. Integrate networks of parks, plazas, public squares, bicycle trails and pedestrian paths into new residential development to provide both connections within each community and linkages with surrounding features and neighborhoods.  Policy LU-8.3 Activity Centers. Establish activity centers within or near residential neighborhoods that contain services such as child or adult care, recreation, public meeting rooms, convenience commercial uses, or similar facilities.

GOAL LU 9 Commercial Areas: Vital, active, prosperous, and well-designed commercial centers and corridors offer a diversity of goods, services, and entertainment and contribute a positive experience for Wildomar’s residents and visitors.
 Policy LU-9.1 Commercial Uses and Variety. Provide for and encourage the development of a broad range of uses in Wildomar’s commercial centers and corridors that reduce the need to travel to adjoining communities for goods and services and capture a greater share of local spending.  Policy LU-9.2 Concentrate Commercial Uses. Concentrate commercial uses near transportation facilities and higher-density residential areas and require the incorporate of facilities to promote the use of public transit, such as bus turnouts.
658

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 Policy LU-9.4 Internal and External Connections. Encourage the provision of non-vehicular access between commercial uses and adjoining neighborhoods and the development of internal crossconnections between commercial uses so as to reduce the number of curb cuts and number of vehicle trips on adjacent roadways.

GOAL LU 10 Mixed-Use Districts and Corridors: Well-designed districts and corridors contain an integrated mix of commercial, office, and/or housing that enable Wildomar’s residents to live close to businesses and employment, reduce automobile use, and actively engage and enhance pedestrian activity.  Policy LU-10.1 Mixed Use Design and Development. Encourage mixed use development, as designated in the Land Use Plan, that is designed appropriately for Wildomar.  Policy LU-10.2 Integrated Housing and Commercial Development. Support the development of housing integrated with commercial and/or office uses on existing commercially developed properties characterized by declining retail activity.
 Policy LU-10.4 Inclusion of Recreation and Amenities. Require that residential/commercial mixeduse projects provide on-site recreational areas and other pedestrian-scale amenities such as benches, fountains, and landscaping that contribute to the living environment of residents or contribute to funds for their development within proximity of the project consistent with the City’s Parks Master Plan.

GOAL LU 11 Industrial Uses: Light industrial uses are accommodated to enhance economic activity and are located and designed in a compatible manner with surrounding land uses.  Policy LU-11.2 Concentrate Near Transportation and Utilities. Concentrate industrial and business park uses in proximity to transportation facilities and utilities.

GOAL LU 12 Public Facilities: Governmental, utility, institutional, educational, recreational, cultural, religious, and social facilities and services are located and designed to complement Wildomar’s neighborhoods, centers, and corridors.
 Policy LU-12.2 Co-Location. Promote the co-location of parks, schools, libraries, health services, recreation facilities, and other community facilities, and explore opportunities for joint use of such facilities, to support resident needs and leverage limited resources.

Circulation Element
GOAL CI 1: A well-connected transportation network that is safe, comfortable, efficient, and accessible by users of all ages, abilities, and modes of travel, including pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, equestrians, transit users, and movers of commercial goods.
 Policy CI-1.1 Complete Streets. Plan, design, operate, and maintain City streets using Complete Streets principles for all types of transportation projects within the City including new, retrofit/reconstruction, maintenance, and ongoing projects. Repurposing unneeded roadway pavement to implement bicycle and 659

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pedestrian improvements, for example lane or road diets, should be considered as one of the tools to implement Complete Streets.
 Policy CI-1.2 Roadway Cross Sections. Implement the updated typical roadway cross-sections displayed in this element to incorporate Complete Streets principles and help achieve mobility goals.  Policy CI-1.3 Local Context. Integrate Complete Streets in a manner that is sensitive to the local context recognizing that needs vary among neighborhoods and communities.  Policy CI-1.4 Walkable Town Center. Create a walkable town center, anchored around the Old Town core, with gathering places and trails that reflect the City of Wildomar’s unique qualities and history.

Comfortable walking and bicycling connections will enhance access to the Old Town area from communities throughout the City.
 Policy CI-1.5 Traffic Calming. Use traffic calming tools to assist in implementing Complete Streets principles and reducing vehicular travel speeds along Circulation Element roadways serving residential neighborhoods and schools such as Grand Avenue, Orange Street, Lemon Street, Gruwell Street, and McVicar Street and other roadways serving similar land uses. Traffic calming tools may include, but shall not be limited to, curb extensions, speed cushions, chokers/neckdowns, raised medians, narrowing lanes, raised crosswalks, and neighborhood traffic circles or roundabouts. The feasibility of deploying traffic calming devices shall be considered prior to increasing any posted speed limits.  Policy CI-1.6 Monitor Safety and Usage. Regularly monitor and evaluate Citywide safety and usage trends for all travel modes. Additionally, as new infrastructure is implemented, such as bicycle facilities, pedestrian facilities, and traffic calming measures, pre- and post-project evaluations should be considered and conducted, where appropriate or warranted and when funding to conduct such evaluations is available, to better understand project benefits.
 Policy CI-1.7 Dedications. Require developments to provide appropriate dedications to implement planned transportation infrastructure as indicated in this Circulation Element and future documents adopted by City Council.
 Policy CI-1.8 Enhance Connectivity. When feasible, require developments to incorporate short block spacing and a strong street grid network as a means to enhance connectivity for all travel modes.

Encourage the inclusion of non-motorized transportation corridors, such as paseos, promenades, and multi-use paths to improve connectivity along long blocks or non-continuous streets.  Policy CI-1.9 Funding. Pursue funding for multimodal infrastructure projects that promote Complete Streets, such as impact fees and local, regional, State, and federal grants.  Policy CI-1.10 Development Impact Fees. Regularly update the City’s Development Impact Fees (DIF) program to ensure adequate funding is allocated for the development, operation, and maintenance of the City’s transportation system across all travel modes. 660

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GOAL CI 2 Pedestrian infrastructure that is safe, connected, and comfortable for users of all ages and abilities, inclusive of accessible curb ramps and sidewalks, marked crosswalks, trail connections, lighting, and pedestrian crossing features.
 Policy CI-2.1 Pedestrian Network. Improve pedestrian safety, comfort, and connectivity throughout the City, with an emphasis on implementing the various pedestrian route types (shown in Figure 3-1), and connections serving schools, parks, and commercial/retail centers.  Policy CI-2.2 Close Connectivity Gaps. Improve pedestrian network connectivity by requiring development projects to close connectivity gaps by extending project frontage improvements to the nearest connecting sidewalk/trail, where feasible and/or where fee credit/reimbursement programs exist.

Factors to be considered may include, but are not limited to: the proposed project's land use, destinations created by the project, or destinations that could be reached by occupants of the new development, the length of the gap, etc.
 Policy CI-2.3 Local Roadway Safety Plan. Implement the Local Roadway Safety Plan (as adopted and amended from time to time) recommended projects to enhance the safety of trips made by foot to and from neighborhoods, schools, parks, retail locations, employment centers, government offices, and bus stops.
 Policy CI-2.4 Implement Pedestrian Route Types. As adjacent parcels are developed and/or capital improvement projects are undertaken, implement the designated pedestrian route types, inclusive of the respective pedestrian route type toolkit features, where feasible.  Policy CI-2.5 Pedestrian Crossing Safety. Improve pedestrian crossing safety and efficiency through appropriate signal hardware and timing, installation of marked and high visibility marked crosswalks and accessible curb ramps, and other intersection design features, where relevant.  Policy CI-2.6 Pedestrian Visibility. Enhance pedestrian visibility by limiting parking at intersections, improving lighting at street crossings, and minimizing sidewalk obstructions.  Policy CI-2.7 Connections to Trailheads. Provide pedestrian connections to recreational trailheads, where feasible.
 Policy CI-2.8 Funding. Pursue funding to implement programs that promote bicycle and pedestrian education, safety and use in schools.
 Policy CI-2.9 Walking to School. Encourage walking as a preferred transportation mode for trips to and from elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as near-by destinations.  Policy CI-2.10 Pedestrian Collision Monitoring. Regularly review and monitor reports of pedestrianinvolved collisions to identify potential safety issues and appropriate improvements. 661

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GOAL CI 3 A safe and connected bicycle network composed of context-appropriate bicycle facilities and supporting amenities that serve the needs of recreational and utilitarian bicyclists of all ages and abilities.  Policy CI-3.1 Bicycle Network. Improve bicycle safety, comfort, and connectivity throughout the City, with an emphasis on implementing the planned bicycle network (shown in Figure 3-2).  Policy CI-3.2 Close Connectivity Gaps. Improve bicycle network connectivity by requiring development projects to close connectivity gaps by extending project frontage improvements to the nearest connecting bicycle facility, where feasible and/or where fee credit/reimbursement programs exist.

Factors to be considered may include, but are not limited to: the proposed project's land use(s), destinations created by the project, or destinations that could be reached by occupants of the new development, the length of the gap, etc.
 Policy CI-3.3 Implement Local Roadway Safety Plan. Implementation of the Local Roadway Safety Plan (as adopted and amended from time to time) recommended projects to enhance the safety of trips made by bicycle to and from neighborhoods, schools, parks, retail locations, employment centers, government offices, and bus stops.
 Policy CI-3.4 Include Bicycle Facilities in Projects. Coordinate street resurfacing and restriping efforts, capital improvement projects, and development projects to include bicycle facilities identified in the planned bicycle network, where applicable.
 Policy CI-3.5 Connect with Adjacent Jurisdictions. Coordinate with adjacent jurisdictions to provide continuous and uniform bicycle connections to and from neighboring communities, where feasible.  Policy CI-3.6 Wayfinding Program. Consider development of a wayfinding program which indicates additional bicycle connections and the direction and distance to key destinations.  Policy CI-3.7 Intersection Design. Enhance bicycle intersection crossing efficiency and safety through intersection design considerations, provisions of bicycle detection at signalized intersections, and other appropriate design features.
 Policy CI-3.8 Biking to Schools. Pursue collaborative opportunities with local schools to implement programs that promote bicycle education and safety and encourage usage among students.  Policy CI-3.9 Bicycle Parking. Bicycle parking shall be provided with all new developments as required by Section 17.188.060 of Wildomar’s Municipal Code.
 Policy CI-3.10 Bicycle Racks. Encourage existing retailers, shops, and shopping centers to install bicycle racks. Permit the reallocation of vehicular parking space(s) to bicycle parking spaces, if supported by a parking utilization study and/or if the remaining spaces are consistent with the minimum required for the respective land use as identified in Section 17.188.030 of Wildomar’s Municipal Code. 662

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 Policy CI-3.11 Employer-Provided Amenities. Encourage employers to install end-of-trip amenities for bicycle riders, such as bicycle parking, maintenance stations, lockers, and/or showers.  Policy CI-3.12 Bicycle Safety. Regularly review and monitor reports of bicycle-involved collisions to identify potential safety issues and appropriate improvements. Explore opportunities to improve bicycle safety through educational and/or training programs for cyclists and other roadway users.  Policy CI-3.13 Freeway Crossings. As properties adjacent to I-15 develop, consider the feasibility of, and potential demand for, incorporating additional freeway crossings that prioritize pedestrian and bicycle mobility.

GOAL CI 4: A public transportation network that allows for convenient access to major destinations, both within Wildomar and the region.
 Policy CI-4.1 Transit Network. Work with Riverside Transit Agency (RTA), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), and other regional partners to ensure that adequate transit service is provided consistent with future growth (shown in Figure 3-3).  Policy CI-4.2 Station Amenities. Coordinate with Riverside Transit Agency to focus station improvements and enhanced amenities at locations with the greatest ridership. In coordination with RTA and adjacent properties, provide secure bicycle parking options for high ridership transit stops, where feasible.
 Policy CI-4.3 First-Mile/Last-Mile Connectivity. Encourage convenient and safe pedestrian and bicycle linkages to and from bus stops to provide better first-mile/last-mile connectivity. This includes connectivity to/from existing and new development and along streets providing access to the bus stops.

GOAL CI 5: Convenient and efficient vehicle circulation with minimal congestion that does not degrade pedestrian and bicycle safety, mobility, and access.
 Policy CI-5.1 Roadway Network. Implement the planned roadway network and classification designations (as shown in Figure 3-4) through new development, redevelopment, resurfacing, and/or other capital improvement projects. This includes the new potential connections at Sunset Avenue, between Bundy Canyon Road and La Estrella Street, and Inland Valley Drive, between Prielipp Road and Hidden Springs Road, if feasibility is demonstrated and appropriate funding is identified.  Policy CI-5.2 Connect with Adjacent Jurisdictions. Work with adjacent jurisdictions to provide continuous vehicular connections to and from neighboring communities.  Policy CI-5.3 Roadway Cross-Sections. Ensure the implementation of the updated typical roadway cross-sections displayed in this Circulation Element (as shown in Figures 3-5 through 3-8), including the new “Rural Collector” classification.
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 Policy CI-5.4 Level of Service Threshold. Although Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) will be utilized as the traffic impact metric for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review process, Level of Service (LOS) is still a critical measure and indicator of traffic operations. LOS D shall be the threshold for all Circulation Element roadways and intersections, consistent with Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines adopted by the City Council, unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer.  Policy CI-5.5 Vehicle Miles Travelled Threshold. All projects in the City shall be in compliance with Resolution No. 2020-40, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) CEQA Threshold Policy Guidelines. Efforts should be made to reduce VMT by prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle travel and/or incorporating active transportation enhancements, to the extent feasible. Efforts to reduce VMT may not necessarily have to be implemented on-site, but rather, in coordination with City staff, off-site projects that would offset the VMT increase caused by a particular project can be identified. Applicants/Developers would have the option to either construct the project/improvement or calculate the costs associated with the construction of the project/improvement and pay that as an in-lieu fee.  Policy CI-5.6 Achieve Level of Service Threshold. All development projects shall achieve the LOS threshold identified in Policy 5.4, otherwise, the City reserves the rights to request the proposed development to amend the existing designations in order to ensure roadways and intersections can adequately handle volumes of traffic generated by the development.  Policy CI-5.7 Evaluate Roadway Network. As development occurs, evaluate the need to designate additional roads as Circulation Element roadways, or amend existing designations, to help enhance vehicle circulation, reduce congestion, and increase connectivity throughout the City. Measures shall not come at the expense of pedestrian and/or bicycle safety, mobility, and access, unless approved by the City Engineer.
 Policy CI-5.8 Evaluate Intersections. Evaluate intersection geometrics and treatments at the intersections of Crescent Avenue/Elberta Road and Crescent Avenue/Olive Street to improve safety and operations. This could include, but not limited to, Crescent Avenue Road closure to vehicular traffic at its northern (Elberta Road) and southern (Olive Street) ends.  Policy CI-5.9 Connect Lake Elsinore to Interstate 15. Continue to coordinate with the City of Lake Elsinore and respective property owners in Wildomar to identify a preferred connection between Lake Elsinore and Interstate 15 via Bundy Canyon Road, or alternatives. This connection could help reduce cut-through traffic on local or Collector streets in Wildomar and capitalize on the region’s investment in Bundy Canyon Road.
 Policy CI-5.10 Interchange Projects. Ensure that future interchange projects, such as the Bundy Canyon Road and Wildomar Trail Project Study Reports, incorporate recommended bicycle network and pedestrian route type features, to the extent possible.  Policy CI-5.11 Evaluate Traffic along Bundy Canyon. Evaluate local and regional traffic as development continues along the Bundy Canyon Road/Scott Road corridor to ensure adequate north664

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south connectivity along the corridor to facilitate expected traffic volumes and circulation and determine when improvements are warranted to proposed or potential north-south connections, as shown on the Proposed Network exhibit (as shown on Figure 3-4), are warranted.  Policy CI-5.12 Utilize Transportation Demand Management. Regularly update the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) ordinance to include best management practices for reducing VMT.

Updates to the ordinance should include consideration of private shuttle bus services, work from home programs, vanpool programs, and parking strategies that would incentivize use of public or private transportation for key development projects.
 Policy CI-5.13 Utilize Transportation System Management. Utilize Transportation System Management (TSM) measures throughout the City to ensure the circulation system is as efficient and cost effective as possible. These measures include, but are not limited to, improvements to signal coordination, transit signal priorities, and pedestrian/bicycle prioritized signals.  Policy CI-5.14 Manage Curb Space. Manage curb space in activity areas to balance demands of all users such as emergency vehicles, buses, vehicle parking, bicycle/scooter parking, delivery loading/unloading, rideshare pick-up/drop-off, street furniture, electric vehicle charging stations, etc.  Policy CI-5.15 Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. Utilization of advanced analytics and highspeed communication networks should be taken into consideration to prepare for the future deployment of connected and autonomous vehicles.

GOAL CI 6: Provide and maintain a safe and efficient system for delivering goods and services.  Policy CI-6.1 Goods Movement Network. Maintain a designated goods movement route network (as shown on Figure 3-9) in the City to ensure safe and adequate infrastructure support for the travel of commercial vehicles. Goods movement routes shall comply with the requirements identified in the City’s municipal code.
 Policy CI-6.2 Commercial Loading and Unloading. Coordinate with property owners and the business community to support commercial vehicle loading/unloading in a manner that is efficient while not compromising safety and operations of other roadway users.

GOAL CI 7: A comprehensive trail network that provides for equestrian mobility and alternate recreational options.
 Policy CI-7.1 Murrieta Creek Regional Trail Project. Continue to pursue funding and implementation of the Murrieta Creek Regional Trail Project, including an emphasis on safe at-grade roadway crossings with the roadway network. Crossing treatments could include curb extensions, raised crosswalks, pedestrian hybrid beacons (also known as HAWK), rectangular rapid flash beacons (RRFB), etc.
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 Policy CI-7.2 Close Connectivity Gaps. Analyze gaps in the trail system and develop an approach for closing gaps, including property acquisition and/or dedicated easements, where necessary and feasible.  Policy CI-7.3 Connect with Adjacent Jurisdictions. Leverage trails within other jurisdictions to provide connectivity from Wildomar to points beyond.
 Policy CI-7.4 Equestrian Trails. Preserve and enhance equestrian trails where they currently exist.  Policy CI-7.5 Trail Design Guidelines. Develop City-specific trail design guidelines or formally adopt guidelines, such as those provided in the County of Riverside Comprehensive Trails Plan, , as part of a Trails Master Plan.

GOAL CI 8: A robust network of infrastructure and utility systems supports the City’s growth.  Policy CI-8.1 Collaborate with Utilities and Service Providers. Work with utilities and service providers for water, wastewater, energy, and solid waste, including, but not limited to, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), CR&R, Southern California Edison (SCE) and SoCalGas, to ensure that services and facilities meet resident needs reliably and support the City’s growth.  Policy CI-8.2 Adequate Storm Drainage. Implement, and periodically update, the 2019 City of Wildomar Master Drainage Plan to manage storm runoff and provide flood control protection.  Policy CI-8.3 Telecommunications Systems and Access. Work with telecommunications service providers to meet the facility and service providers to meet the facility and service demands of existing and future development and to provide equitable access to telecommunications infrastructure, including encouraging retrofit and expansion of existing high speed internet systems and inclusion in all new housing.

Recreation and Community Services Element
GOAL RC 3: A network of well-designed trails that provide recreational opportunities and connect residents to the places that they desire to go.
 Policy RC-3.3 Equestrian Trails. Ensure that the Trails Master Plan provide some trails that support equestrian usage.
 Policy RC-3.5 Trail Connectivity. Prioritize new trails that offer connectivity to open spaces, other trails or active transportation facilities, and local and regional destinations.

5.17.4 Environmental Impacts

5.17.4.1 METHODOLOGY
VMT is positively correlated with growth and as the region is expected to grow, VMT is also expected to increase. However, where the growth occurs plays a significant role in determining how much VMT will 666

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increase. Growth in areas with access to high-quality transit, a complete active transportation network, and/or complementary land use mixes are projected to be more VMT-efficient.

The following describes how VMT is referred to, calculated, and accounted for in this programmatic CEQA impact analysis in accordance with the Wildomar VMT Guidelines:
 VMT per Service Population includes all daily vehicle-based trips associated with all land uses (residential, employment, retail, education, etc.) which are then summed for the study area (City of Wildomar) and divided by the population of the same analysis area to arrive at VMT per Service Population.

The Wildomar VMT Guidelines state that projects that are at or below the City’s average VMT per Service Population or below the subregion’s average VMT per Service Population be considered less than significant.

Additionally, it states that the City shall endeavor to ensure that new projects are able to demonstrate a three percent reduction in VMT than currently exists.

Existing VMT was determined using the Riverside Traffic Analysis Model (RIVTAM) Base Year (2018), which yielded a VMT per service population of 34.6 miles. Excerpts from the regional transportation model are provided in Appendix A of Appendix 5.17-1.

5.17.4.2 IMPACT ANALYSIS
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement.

Impact 5.17-1: The proposed project would be consistent with adopted programs, plans, and policies addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. [Threshold T-1]
This analysis focuses on impacts to circulation within the City’s boundaries, as the City does not have jurisdiction on transit and roadways outside of the City limits.

The Proposed General Plan proposes enhancements to the multimodal transportation and roadway networks, as shown on Figure 5.17-6, Proposed Pedestrian Routes; Figure 5.17-7, Proposed Bicycle Network; Figure 5.17-8, Proposed Multi-Use Trails; and Figure 5.17-9, Proposed Roadway Network. Additionally, the proposed project includes multiple policies aimed at ensuring adequate roadway design and providing multimodal facilities, such as Policy CI-1.1, which calls for planning, designing, operating, and maintaining City streets to provide for all types of transportation; Policy CI-1.5, which calls for the use of traffic calming tools to implement Complete Streets principles and reduce vehicular speed; Policy CI-1.8, which requires developments to incorporate short block spacing and a street grid network to enhance connectivity, when feasible; Policy CI-2.4 and Policy CI-2.5, which call for the implementation of pedestrian routes and improvement of pedestrian crossing safety; Policy CI-3.1, which calls for the improvement and connectivity of the bicycle network; Policy CI-4.1, which calls for working with regional partners to ensure adequate transit service is provided consistent with future growth; and Policy CI-5.1, which calls for the implementation of planned roadway networks through new development and redevelopment.
667
66 Wildomar Active Transportation Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Dr
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salida Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
The Farm Rd
Sheila Ln
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Pedestrian Route Type
District
Corridor
Connector
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Multi-Use Trail
Neighborhood
District Area
!( Murrieta Creek Trail At-Grade
Crossing
Wesley St
Union St
Bayless Rd
Susan Dr
Depasquale Rd
Grape St
Jana Ln
Rancho Mirlo Rd
Wyman
Rd
Gateway
Dr
Future Commercial Dwy
Bunny
Trl
Lost Rd
Hidden
Springs Rd
Stable
Lanes Rd
Bundy Canyon Rd
Figure 4-1 Planned Pedestrian Routes
PlaceWorks
Source: CR Associates 2021; Alta Planning and Design 2021.

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

CITY OF WILDOMAR
0 Scale (Miles)
1 Figure 5.17-6 - Proposed Pedestrian Routes

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary

PEDESTRIAN ROUTE TYPE
District
Corridor
Connector
Multi-Use Trail
Neighborhood
District Area
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Murrieta Creek Trail
At-Grade Crossing
668
Figure 4.2
Proposed Bicycle Network
Wildomar Mobility Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Dr
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p asqua
Rd le
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Source: City of Wildomar (2020)
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Bayless Rd
Jana Ln
Elizabeth Ln
Wesley St
Bryant St
Bryant St
Union St Trailwood
Ct
Fredrick St
Cervera
Rd
Catt Rd
Gierson
Ave
Navut
Ave
Charle St
s
Canyon Dr
Olive St Grape St
Orange St
Waite St Sellers Rd
Susan Dr
Elberta
Rd
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
Sunset Ave
Prairie
Rd
Future Commercial Dwy
Existing Proposed
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Class II - Bike Lane
Class II - Buffered Bike Lane
Class III - Bike Route
Class IV - Cycle Track
#
Bike Facility in One Direction
Sedco
Bl
Note:

At the project / design-level when more information
is available, modifications to these recommended
classifications may be considered by the City.

Gafford
Rd
Bunny
Trl
Lost Rd
The Farm Rd
Lakeview
Ter
Wildomar R
#d
#
#
#
#
Hidd en Springs Rd Gateway
Dr
Sauer
Rd
Oak
Circle Dr
PlaceWorks
Source: CR Associates.

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

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0 Scale (Miles)
1 Figure 5.17-7 - Proposed Bicycle Network

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Class II - Bike Lane
Class II - Buffered
Bike Lane
Class III - Bike Route
Class IV - Cycle Track
Bike Facility in
One Direction
Figure 4.2
Proposed Bicycle Network
Wildomar Mobility Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Dr
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p asqua
Rd le
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Source: City of Wildomar (2020)
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Bayless Rd
Jana Ln
Elizabeth Ln
Wesley St
Bryant St
Bryant St
Union St Trailwood Ct
Fredrick St
Cervera
Rd
Catt Rd
Gierson
Ave
Navut
Ave
Charle St
s
Canyon Dr
Olive St Grape St
Orange St
Waite St Sellers Rd
Susan Dr
Elberta
Rd
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
Sunset Ave
Prairie
Rd
Future
Commercial Dwy
Existing Proposed
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Class II - Bike Lane
Class II - Buffered Bike Lane
Class III - Bike Route
Class IV - Cycle Track
#
Bike Facility in One Direction
Sedco
Bl
Note:

At the project / design-level when more information
is available, modifications to these recommended
classifications may be considered by the City.

Gafford
Rd
Bunny
Trl
Lost Rd
The Farm Rd
Lakeview Ter
Wildomar R
#d
#
#
#
#
Hidd en Springs Rd Gateway
Dr
Sauer
Rd
Oak
Circle Dr
Figure 4.2
Proposed Bicycle Network
Wildomar Mobility Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Dr
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p asqua
Rd le
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Source: City of Wildomar (2020)
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Bayless Rd
Jana Ln
Elizabeth Ln
Wesley St
Bryant St
Bryant St
Union St Trailwood Ct
Fredrick St
Cervera
Rd
Catt Rd
Gierson
Ave
Navut
Ave
Charle St
s
Canyon Dr
Olive St Grape St
Orange St
Waite St Sellers Rd
Susan Dr
Elberta
Rd
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
#
Sunset Ave
Prairie
Rd
Future
Commercial Dwy
Existing Proposed
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Class II - Bike Lane
Class II - Buffered Bike Lane
Class III - Bike Route
Class IV - Cycle Track
#
Bike Facility in One Direction
Sedco
Bl
Note:

At the project / design-level when more information
is available, modifications to these recommended
classifications may be considered by the City.

Gafford
Rd
Bunny
Trl
Lost Rd
The Farm Rd
Lakeview Ter
Wildomar R
#d
#
#
#
#
Hidd en Springs Rd Gateway
Dr
Sauer
Rd
Oak
Circle Dr

EXISTING PROPOSED
669
78 Wildomar Active Transportation Plan
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
California
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon R
Lemon St d Orange St
Palomar St
Monte Vista Dr
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p asqua
Rd le
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Bayless Rd
Jana Ln
Elizabeth Ln
Wyman Rd
Gateway Dr
Hidden
Springs Rd
Wesley St
Bryant St
Bryant St
Union St Trailwood Ct
Fredrick St
Cervera
Rd
Catt Rd
Gierson
Ave
Charle St
s
Canyon Dr
Olive St
Lakevie w Te r Grape St
Orange St
Waite St Sellers Rd
Susan Dr
Elberta
Rd
Prairie
Rd
Sunset Ave
Raciti Rd
Gafford Rd
Fredrick St
Torbett Family
Trail
Justin Hunt
Memorial Trail
Existing Proposed
Multi-Use Trail
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Future
Commercial Dwy
Navut
Ave
Note:

At the project / design-level when more information is available, modifications to these recommended classifications may be considered by the City.

Bunny
Trl
Stable
Lanes Rd
Lost Rd
The Farm Rd
Bundy Canyon Rd
Figure 4-3 Planned Multi-Use Trails
PlaceWorks
Source: CR Associates 2021; Alta Planning and Design 2021.

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

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0 Scale (Miles)
1 Figure 5.17-8 - Proposed Multi-Use Trails

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary

EXISTING PROPOSED
Class I - Multi-Use Path
Multi-Use Trail
670
6-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
6-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
4-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
6-Ln
2-Ln
4-Ln
4-Ln
6-Ln
4-Ln
2-Ln
2-Ln
Figure 2.3
Proposed Network
Scott Rd
Murrie at Rd
Lakeshore Dr
Corydon Rd
Grand Ave
Clinton Keith Rd
Mission Trl
Palomar St
Washington Ave
Jefferson Ave
Jackson Ave
Nutmeg St
Hancock Ave
Prielipp Rd
Cali of rnia
§¨¦15
§¨¦215
Lake
Elsinore
City of
Lake Elsinore
City of
Menifee
City of
Murrieta
Oaks Rd
Bundy Canyon Rd
Lemon St
Orange St
Palomar St
Lost Rd
Hills Rd
Canyon
Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Gruwell St
Salid
D
a
e p asqua
Rd le
Yamas
Dr
Inland Valley Dr
Malaga Rd
McVicar St
Del Sol
La Estre lla St
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Wildomar Trail
Monte Vista Dr
Bundy Canyon Rd
Hidd en Springs Rd Gateway
Dr
Walnut St
Como St Catt Rd
Waite St A ml ond St
4-Ln
Sauer
Rd
Oak
Circle Dr
Sunset Ave
Olive St
Grape St
Wesley St
Bryant St Wildomar General Plan Update
Transportation Impact Study
PlaceWorks
Source: CR Associates 2021; Alta Planning and Design 2021.

CITY OF WILDOMAR PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN DRAFT EIR

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0 Scale (Miles)
1 Figure 5.17-9 - Proposed Roadway Network

5. Environmental Analysis
City of Wildomar Boundary
#-Ln

PROPOSED ROADWAY CLASSIFICATION
& MEDIAN TREATMENT
Primary Arterial (6-Ln)
Major Arterial (4-Ln)
Minor Arterial (4-Ln)
Collector (2-Ln)
Rural Collector (2-Ln)
Potential Connections
Number of Travel Lanes
Raised
Raised or Striped
or Center Left-Turn Lane
None (Left-Turn Pocket,
as needed)
None
None (Left-Turn Pocket,
as needed)
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With implementation of these policies, the proposed project would not conflict with a program, plan, ordinance, or policy addressing the circulation system. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.17-1 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.17-1 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.17-2: The proposed project would conflict or be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines § 15064.3, subdivision (b). [Threshold T-2]
CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3 describes how transportation impacts are analyzed after SB 743. It eliminates auto delay, and the LOS methodology used to assess and quantify such delay, and similar measures of vehicular capacity or traffic congestion as the sole basis for determining significant impacts. Instead, CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.3 requires use of VMT methodology for assessing transportation impacts:

Generally, VMT is the most appropriate measure of transportation impacts. For the purposes of this section, VMT refers to the amount and distance of automobile travel attributable to a project. Other relevant considerations may include the effects of the project on transit and non-motorized travel. Except as provided in subdivision (b)(2)…[regarding roadway capacity], a project’s effect on automobile delay shall not constitute a significant environmental impact.

Table 5.17-4, Wildomar Horizon Year VMT Efficiency Metrics, shows that, compared to the Wildomar base year VMT efficiency metrics (see Table 5.17-3), VMT efficiency in the City is expected to improve by approximately 11.6 percent with implementation of the proposed project.

Table 5.17-4 Wildomar Horizon Year VMT Efficiency Metrics VMT Metric
Riverside
County – Base
Year
Wildomar –
Base Year
Wildomar –
Proposed
Project
Percent of
Riverside
County – Base
Year
Percent of
Wildomar – Base
Year
Significant
Impact?
VMT per Service
Population 34.8 34.6 30.6 87.9% 88.4% Yes
Source: CR Associates 2024 (Appendix 5.17-1).

As shown in Table 5.17-4, the City is projected to have a VMT per Service Population at 30.6, which is 87.9 percent of the Riverside County’s base year VMT per Service Population and 88.4 percent of Wildomar’s base year VMT per Service Population. Placement of the land uses associated with the proposed project would reduce the VMT per Service Population within Wildomar by more than three percent (11.6 percent).

Additionally, the proposed project includes policies that enhance multimodal transportation, such as Policy 672

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CI-2.4 and Policy CI-2.5, which call for the implementation of pedestrian routes and improvement of pedestrian crossing safety; Policy CI-3.1, which calls for the improvement and connectivity of the bicycle network; and Policy CI-4.1, which calls for working with regional partners to ensure adequate transit service is provided consistent with future growth. Moreover, Chapter 10.36, Transportation Demand Management Program, of the Wildomar Municipal Code is intended to establish policies and procedures to encourage and promote the use of alternative transportation modes through project design and facility planning.

The Circulation Element includes several policies that enhance the active transportation network throughout the City to encourage residents to bike or walk rather than taking their personal car. While these policies create an environment that encourages different transportation alternatives, due to the uncertainty regarding the actual development pattern, population growth, and other factors that are outside of the purview and control of the City, it is difficult to rely on the reduction of VMT suggested by the modeling. Further, for the active transportation features to be effective they need to connect employment, residential, and commercial land uses. As the existing system is not complete, though it will be completed over time, VMT impacts are considered potentially significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.17-2 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
Policy CI-5.12 of the Proposed General Plan will update the Transportation Demand Management ordinance (Chapter 10.36 of the Wildomar Municipal Code) to include methods of reducing VMT. These will include engaging current and future key employers to decrease commute and work-related VMT, private shuttle bus services, work from home programs, vanpool programs, and parking strategies that would incentivize use of public or private transportation. While these measures can reduce VMT, they are project specific, and both the efficiency and applicability will be determined on a project-by-project basis. The City will update the TDM Ordinance to reflect current best management practices for TDM and apply the Ordinance to key projects. Therefore, there are no other feasible mitigation measures.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.17-2 would be significant and unavoidable.

Impact 5.17-3: The proposed project would not result in a substantial increase in hazards due to a geometric design feature (e.g., sharp curves or dangerous intersections) or incompatible uses (e.g., farm equipment), or result in inadequate emergency access. [Thresholds T-3 and T-4]
Buildout of the proposed project would involve the alteration, intensification, and redistribution of land uses in the City. The Proposed General Plan includes circulation network improvements that would be subject to the review and future consideration of the City’s Public Works Department, and would include an evaluation of the roadway alignments, intersection geometrics, and traffic control features. Roadway improvements would have to be made in accordance with the City’s circulation plan and roadway design guidelines and meet design guidelines of the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. 673

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All future development under the proposed project would undergo extensive review at the City to ensure consistency with the City’s development standards and roadway design standards. Ingress and egress for future projects would be reviewed by the City as well as the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department to ensure there is sufficient emergency access provided at the site as required by the City of Wildomar Municipal Code 8.28, Fire Code, for compliance with the California Fire Code.

Additionally, the proposed project includes policies to improve safety for all roadway users, such as Policy CI1.5, which calls for the use of traffic calming tools to assist with implementing Complete Streets principles and reduce vehicular speeds, Policy CI-1.6, which calls for regularly monitoring and evaluating Citywide safety and usage trends for all travel modes, Policy CI-2.5 and Policy CI-2.6, which call for improving pedestrian crossing safety and enhancing pedestrian visibility, Policy CI-3.7, which calls for enhancing bicycle intersection crossing efficiency and safety through intersection design considerations, and Policy CI-5.7, which calls for evaluating the need to designate additional roads or amend existing designations to help enhance vehicle circulation and reduce congestion.

As such, impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.17-3 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.17-3 would be less than significant.

5.17.5 Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative impacts consider the transportation improvements within the WRCOG’s subregional transportation model and regional growth projections identified by SCAG. Compliance with local and state standards would ensure that all cumulative development in the City has adequate emergency access and does not result in roadway hazards. As discussed above, implementation of the Proposed General Plan policies would ensure that future development would not conflict with plans, policies, and ordinances governing the circulation system. Moreover, while the placement of the land uses associated with the proposed project would reduce the VMT per Service Population within Wildomar by more than three percent, due to the uncertainty regarding the actual development pattern, population growth, and other factors that are outside the purview of the City’s control, cumulative impacts are conservatively considered significant and unavoidable.

5.17.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Upon implementation of regulatory requirements and standard conditions of approval, the following impacts would be less than significant: 5.17-1 and 5.17-3.

Without mitigation, these impacts would be potentially significant:
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 Impact 5.17-2 The proposed project would be inconsistent with CEQA Guidelines § 15064.3, subdivision (b).

5.17.7 Mitigation Measures
Impact 5.17-2
Mitigation Measures
There are no feasible mitigation measures at the General Plan-level.

5.17.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Impact 5.17-2
While the placement of land uses associated with the proposed project would reduce the VMT per Service Population within Wildomar by more than three percent, due to the uncertainty regarding the actual development pattern, population growth, and other factors that are outside the purview of the City’s control, impact 5.17-2 would be significant and unavoidable.

5.17.9 References
CR Associates. 2024, January. Wildomar General Plan Update Transportation Impact Study.

Wildomar, City of. 2020, June. City of Wildomar Mobility Plan – Existing Conditions Report. https://cdnsm5-
hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_9894739/File/Government/Departments/Public%2 0Works/Wildomar%20Mobility%20Plan/Final%20ECR%20(2020-06-03).pdf ———. 2021, June 30. Wildomar Active Transportation Plan. 675

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5.18 TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCES
Tribal cultural resources include landscapes, sacred places, or objects with a cultural value to a California Native tribe. This section of the DEIR evaluates the potential for the proposed project to impact tribal cultural resources in the City of Wildomar. Other potential impacts to cultural resources (i.e., historic, archaeological, and disturbance of human remains) are evaluated in Section 5.5, Cultural Resources.

The analysis in this section is based in part on the following information:
 Cultural Resources Assessment for City of Wildomar General Plan Update, Riverside County, California, ECORP Consulting, Inc., October 27, 2023
 Native American Consultation Pursuant to SB 18, Native American Heritage Commission, November 3, 2023 Complete copy of these resources are included as Appendix 5.5-1 and Appendix 5.18-1, respectively, to this DEIR.

FOCAL POINT
Tribal cultural resources may be found throughout the City of Wildomar, but information on them is much more difficult to obtain than for most cultural resources. Currently, there is no public database of such resources, and most cannot be identified by surveying the land. Identification of tribal cultural resources requires coordination with Native American tribes, and their precise location is often difficult to determine because they may only be documented through the oral history of the tribe.

The City respects the long history of the tribes in the area and has developed a series of mitigation measures with the tribes that explain how tribal resources are to be treated once discovered. The City regularly consults with the tribes on development projects and works cooperatively with them to ensure that these valuable resources are respected and impacts are avoided or mitigated to less than significant levels.

5.18.1 Environmental Setting

5.18.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
Federal Regulations
Archaeological Resources Protection Act
The Archaeological Resources Protection Act (United States Code, Title 16, Sections 470aa–mm) became law on October 31, 1979, and has been amended four times. It regulates the protection of archaeological resources and sites that are on federal and Indian lands.

Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (United States Code, Title 25, Sections 3001 et seq.) is a federal law passed in 1990 that provides a process for museums and federal agencies to return 676

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certain Native American cultural items––such as human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony––to lineal descendants and culturally affiliated Indian tribes.

State Regulations
California Public Resources Code Sections 5097.9-5097.991 Archaeological resources are protected pursuant to a wide variety of state policies and regulations enumerated under the California Public Resources Code (PRC). In addition, cultural resources are recognized as a nonrenewable resource and therefore, receive protection under the California PRC and CEQA.

California Public Resources Code Sections 5097.9–5097.991 provide protection to Native American historical and cultural resources, and sacred sites and identifies the powers and duties of the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). California Public Resources Code Sections 5097.9-5097.991 also require notification to descendants of discoveries of Native American human remains and provides for treatment and disposition of human remains and associated grave goods.

California Public Resources Code Sections 21073 and 20174 Public Resource Code Sections 21073 and 21074 define California Native American tribe and tribal cultural resources, respectively. Public Resource Code Section 21073 defines a “California Native American tribe” as a Native American tribe located in California that is on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC).

Tribal cultural resources (TCRs) are defined in Section 21074 as sites, features, places, cultural landscapes (geographically defined in terms of the size and scope), sacred places, and objects with cultural value to a California Native American tribe that are either included in or determined to be eligible for inclusion in the CRHR, or are included in a local register of historical resources as defined in subdivision (k) of Section 5020.1, or are a resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 5024.1.

California Health and Safety Code
California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 requires that if human remains are discovered on the project area, disturbance of the site shall halt and remain halted until the coroner has conducted an investigation into the circumstances, manner, and cause of any death, and the recommendations concerning the treatment and disposition of the human remains have been made to the person responsible for the excavation, or to his or her authorized representative. If the coroner determines that the remains are not subject to his or her authority and recognizes or has reason to believe the human remains are those of Native American, he or she shall contact, by telephone within 24 hours, the NAHC.

California Register of Historical Resources
The California Register of Historic Resources is the state version of the National Register of Historic Resources program. It was enacted in 1992 and became official on January 1, 1993. The California Register was established to serve as an authoritative guide to the state’s significant historical and archaeological 677

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resources. Resources that may be eligible for listing include buildings, sites, structures, objects, and historic districts. According to subsection (c) of PRC Section 5024.1, a resource may be listed as a historical resource in the California Register if it meets any of the four National Register criteria.

California Senate Bill 18 (SB 18)
Existing law provides limited protection for Native American prehistoric, archaeological, cultural, spiritual, and ceremonial places. These places may include sanctified cemeteries, religious sites, ceremonial sites, shrines, burial grounds, prehistoric ruins, archaeological or historic sites, Native American rock art inscriptions, or features of Native American historic, cultural, and sacred sites.

SB 18 was signed into law in September 2004 and went into effect on March 1, 2005. It placed new requirements upon local governments for developments within or near “traditional tribal cultural places” (TTCP). Per SB 18, the law requires local jurisdictions to provide opportunities for involvement of California Native American tribes in the land planning process for the purpose of preserving traditional tribal cultural places. The Office of Planning and Research’s Tribal Consultation Guidelines, adopted on November 14, 2005, provides advisory guidance to cities and counties on the process for consulting with Native American tribes during the adoption or amendment of local general plans or specific plans; the Tribal Consultation Guidelines recommend that the NAHC provide written information as soon as possible but no later than 30 days after receiving a request to inform the lead agency if the proposed project is determined to be in proximity to a TTCP and another 90 days for tribes to respond to notices provided by local governments if they want to consult to determine whether the project would have an adverse impact on the TTCP. There is no statutory limit on the consultation duration. Prior to the adoption or amendment of a general plan or specific plan, a local government must refer the proposed action to those tribes that are on the NAHC contact list and have traditional lands located in the city or county’s jurisdiction; the referral must allow a 45- day comment period. The CEQA public distribution list shall include tribes provided by the NAHC. If the NAHC, the tribe, and interested parties agree upon the mitigation measures necessary for the proposed project, they would be included in the project’s EIR.

SB 18 is triggered before the adoption, revision, amendment, or update of a city’s or county’s general plan.

Although SB 18 does not specifically mention consultation or notice requirements for the adoption or amendment of specific plans, the Final Tribal Guidelines advises that SB 18 requirements extend to specific plans as well, because state planning law requires local governments to use the same process for amendment or adoption of specific plans as general plans (defined in Government Code § 65453). In addition, SB 18 provides a new definition of TTCP requiring a traditional association of the site with Native American traditional beliefs, cultural practices, or ceremonies, or the site must be shown to actually have been used for activities related to traditional beliefs, cultural practices, or ceremonies. (Previously, the site was defined to require only an association with traditional beliefs, practices, lifeways, and ceremonial activities). SB 18 also amended Civil Code Section 815.3 and added California Native American tribes to the list of entities that can acquire and hold conservation easements for the purpose of protecting their cultural places. 678

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California Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52)
AB 52 took effect July 1, 2015, and requires inclusion of a new section in CEQA documents titled Tribal Cultural Resources, which include heritage sites. Under AB 52, a tribal cultural resource is defined similar to tribal cultural places under SB 18––sites, features, places, cultural landscapes, sacred places, and objects with cultural value to a California Native American tribe that are either included or eligible for inclusion in the California Register of Historic Resources or included in a local register of historical resources. Or the lead agency, supported by substantial evidence, chooses at its discretion to treat the resources as a tribal cultural resource.

Similar to SB 18, AB 52 requires consultation with tribes at an early stage to determine whether the project would have an adverse impact on any TCRs and if so to identify mitigation measures to protect them. Per AB 52, within 14 days of deciding to undertake a project or determining that a project application is complete, the lead agency must provide formal written notification to all tribes who have requested it. The tribe then has 30 days from receiving the notification to respond if it wishes to engage in formal consultation. The lead agency must initiate consultation within 30 days of receiving the request from the tribe. Consultation concludes when both parties have agreed on measures to mitigate or avoid a significant effect to a tribal cultural resource, or a party, after a reasonable effort in good faith, decides that mutual agreement cannot be reached. Regardless of the outcome of consultation, the CEQA document must disclose significant impacts on tribal cultural resources and discuss feasible alternatives or mitigation that avoid or lessen the impact.

5.18.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Paleo-Indians Period/Terminal Pleistocene (12,000 to 10,000 BP) The first inhabitants of Southern California were big game hunters and gatherers exploiting extinct species of Pleistocene megafauna (e.g., mammoth and other Rancholabrean fauna). Local “fluted point” assemblages composed of large spear points or knives are stylistically and technologically similar to the Clovis PaleoIndian cultural tradition dated to this period elsewhere in North America. Archaeological evidence for this period in Southern California is limited to a few small temporary camps with fluted points found around late Pleistocene Lake margins in the Mojave Desert and around Tulare Lake in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

Single points are reported from Ocotillo Wells and Cuyamaca Pass in eastern San Diego County and from the Yuha Desert in Imperial County.

Early Archaic Period/Early Holocene (10,000 to 8,500 BP) Approximately 10,000 years ago, at the beginning of the Holocene, warming temperatures and the extinction of the megafauna resulted in changing subsistence strategies with an emphasis on hunting smaller game and increasing reliance on plant gathering. Previously, Early Holocene sites were represented by only a few sites and isolate from the Lake Mojave and San Dieguito complexes found along former lakebeds and grasslands of the Mojave Desert and in inland San Diego County. More recently, southern California Early Holocene sites have been found along the Santa Barbara Channel in western Riverside County, and along the San Diego County coast.
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The San Dieguito Complex was defined based on material found at the Harris site on the San Dieguito River near Lake Hodges in San Diego County. San Dieguito artifacts include large leaf-shaped points; leaf-shaped knives; large ovoid, domed, and rectangular end and side scrapers; engraving tools; and crescentics. The San Dieguito Complex at the Harris site dates to 9,000 to 7,500 BP. However, sites from this time period in coastal San Diego County have yielded artifacts and subsistence remains characteristic of the succeeding Encinitas Tradition, including manos, metates, core-cobble tools, and marine shell.

Encinitas Tradition or Milling Stone Period/Middle Holocene (8,500 to 1,250 BP) The Encinitas Tradition and the Milling Stone Period refers to a long period of time during which small mobile bands of people who spoke an early Hokan language foraged for a wide variety of resources, including hard seeds, berries, and roots/tubers (yucca in inland areas), rabbits and other small animals, and shellfish and fish in coastal areas. Sites from the Encinitas Tradition consist of residential bases and resource acquisition locations with no evidence for overnight stays. Residential bases have hearths and fire-affected rock, indicating overnight stays and food preparation. Residential bases along the coast have large amounts of shell and are often termed shell middens.

The Encinitas Tradition as originally defined applied to all of the non-desert areas of southern California.

Recently, four patterns within the Encinitas Tradition have been proposed which apply to different regions of southern California. The Topanga Pattern includes archaeological material from the Los Angeles Basin and Orange County. The Greven Knoll Pattern pertains to southwestern San Bernardino County and western Riverside County. Each of the patterns is divided into temporal phases. The Topanga Pattern included the Los Angeles Basin and Orange County. The Topanga I phase extends from 8,500 to 5,000 BP and Topanga II runs from 5,000 to 3,500 BP. The Topanga Pattern ended about 3,500 BP with the arrival of Takic speakers, except in the Santa Monica Mountains where the Topanga III phase lasted until about 2,000 BP.

The Encinitas Tradition in inland areas east of the Topanga Pattern (southwestern San Bernardino County and western Riverside County) is the Greven Knoll Pattern. Greven Knoll I (9,400 to 4,000 BP) has abundant manos and metates. Projectile points are few and are mostly Pinto points. Greven Knoll II (4,000 to 3,000 BP) has abundant manos and metates and core tools. Projectile points are mostly Elko points. The Elsinore site on the east shore of Lake Elsinore was occupied during Greven Knoll I and Greven Knoll II. During Greven Knoll I faunal processing (butchering) took place at the lakeshore and floral processing (seed grinding), cooking, and eating took place farther from the shore. The primary foods were rabbit meat and seeds from grasses, sage, and ragweed. A few deer, waterfowl, and reptiles were consumed. The recovered archaeological material suggests that a highly mobile population visited the site at a specific time each year. It is possible that their seasonal rounds included the ocean coast at other times of the year. These people had an unspecialized technology as exemplified by the numerous crescents, a multi-purpose tool. The few projectile points suggest that most of the small game was trapped using nets and snares. During Greven Knoll II, which included a warmer drier climatic episode known as the Altithermal, it is thought that populations in interior southern California concentrated at oases and that Lake Elsinore was one of them. The Elsinore site (CA-RIV-2798) is one of five known Middle Holocene residential sites around Lake Elsinore. Tools were mostly manos, metates, and hammerstones. Scraper planes were absent. Flaked-stone tools consisted mostly 680

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of utilized flakes used as scrapers. The Elsinore site during the Middle Holocene was a “recurrent extended encampment” which could have been occupied during much of the year.

The Encinitas Tradition lasted longer in inland areas because Takic speakers did not move east into these areas until circa 1,000 BP. Greven Knoll III (3,000 to 1,000 BP) is present at the Liberty Grove site in Cucamonga (Salls 1983) and at sites in Cajon Pass that were defined as part of the Sayles Complex. Greven Knoll III sites have a large proportion of manos and metates and core tools as well as scraper planes. The scraper planes may have been used to process yucca and agave. The faunal assemblage consists of large quantities of rabbits and hares and lesser quantities of deer, rodents, birds, carnivores, and reptiles.

Palomar Tradition (1,250 to 150 BP)
The native people of southern California (north of a line from Agua Hedionda to Lake Henshaw in San Diego County) spoke Takic languages which form a branch or subfamily of the Uto-Aztecan language family.

The Takic languages are divided into the Gabrielino-Fernandeño language, the Serrano-Kitanemuk group (the Serrano [includes the Vanyume dialect] and Kitanemuk languages), the Tataviam language, and the Cupan group (the Luiseño-Juaneño language, the Cahuilla Language, and the Cupeño language). Takic speakers occupied the southern San Joaquin Valley before 3,500 BP. Perhaps because of the arrival of Yokutsan speakers (a language in the Penutian language family) from the north, Takic speakers moved southeast. The ancestors of the Kitanemuk moved into the Tehachapi Mountains and the ancestors of the Tataviam moved into the upper Santa Clara River drainage. The ancestors of the Gabrielino (Tongva) moved into the Los Angeles Basin about 3,500 BP, replacing the native Hokan speakers. Speakers of proto-Gabrielino reached the southern Channel Islands by 3,200 BP and moved as far south as Aliso Creek in Orange County by 3,000 BP.

Takic people moved south into southern Orange County after 1,250 BP and became the ancestors of the Juaneño. Takic people moved inland from southern Orange County about 1,000 BP, becoming the ancestors of the Luiseño, Cupeño, and Cahuilla. Takic people from the Kitanemuk area moved east along the northern slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains and spread into the San Bernardino Mountains and along the Mojave River becoming the ancestors of the Serrano and the Vanyume.

The material culture of the inland areas where Takic languages were spoken at the time of Spanish contact is part of the Palomar Tradition. San Luis Rey I Phase (1,000 to 500 BP) and San Luis Rey II Phase (500 to 150 BP) pertain to the area occupied by the Luiseño at the time of Spanish contact. The Peninsular I (1,000 to 750 BP), II (750 to 300 BP), and III (300 to 150 BP) Phases are used in the areas occupied by the Cahuilla and Serrano.

San Luis Rey I is characterized by Cottonwood Triangular arrow points, use of bedrock mortars, stone pendants, shell beads, quartz crystals, and bone tools. San Luis Rey II sees the addition of ceramics, including ceramic cremation urns, red pictographs on boulders in village sites, and steatite arrow straighteners. San Luis Rey II represents the archaeological manifestation of the antecedents of the historically known Luiseño.

During San Luis Rey I there were a series of small permanent residential bases at water sources, each occupied by a kin group (probably a lineage). During San Luis Rey II people from several related residential bases moved into a large village located at the most reliable water source. Each village had a territory that 681

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included acorn harvesting camps at higher elevations. Villages have numerous bedrock mortars, large dense midden areas with a full range of flaked and ground stone tools, rock art, and a cemetery.

Ethnographic Context
The City of Wildomar falls within the territory of both the Luiseño and Juaneño. The Luiseño occupied most of the area drained by the San Luis Rey and Santa Margarita Rivers. The Luiseño lived in sedentary and autonomous village groups. Permanent villages were typically located in valley bottoms, along streams, or along coastal strands near mountain ranges where water was available and village defense was possible. The Luiseño speak a subfamily of the widespread Uto-Aztecan family of languages, which is vibrant and complex.

Villages had hereditary chiefs who controlled religious, economic, and territorial activities. An advisory council of ritual specialists and shamans was consulted for environmental and other knowledge. Large villages located along the coast or in inland valleys may have had more complex social and political structures than settlements controlling smaller territories.

Luiseño subsistence centered on gathering acorns, seeds, greens, bulbs, roots, berries, and other vegetal foods.

This was supplemented by hunting mammals such as deer, antelope, rabbit, woodrat, ground squirrels, and mice, as well as birds including quail, doves, and ducks. Inland populations had access to fishing and gathering sites on the coast, which they used during the winter months. Bands along the coast exploited marine resources, such as sea mammals, fish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Inland, trout and other fish were taken from mountain streams. Regions were allotted to each band and then further divided among the various families.

These locations for procuring resources were valuable and protected by the family which owned the region.

Hunting was done both individually and by organized groups. Tool technology for food acquisition, storage, and preparation reflects the size and quantity of items procured. Small game were hunted with the use of curved throwing sticks, nets, slings, or traps. Bows and arrows were used for hunting larger game. Dugout canoes, basketry fish traps, and shell hooks were used for near-shore ocean fishing. Coiled and twined baskets were made for food gathering, preparation, storing, and serving. Other items used for food processing included large shallow trays for winnowing chaff from grain, ceramic and basketry storage containers, manos and metates for grinding seeds, and ceramic jars for cooking.

Houses were brush-thatched, conical structures, partially subterranean and held up-right by a series of main support and numerous lighter poles. Personal ornaments were made from “bone, clay, stone, shell, bear claws, glass, deer hooves,” abalone shell, deerskin, otter skin, and rabbit skin. These materials were used to create nose ornaments, cloaks, moccasins, Yucca fiber sandals and beads, among others.

Ethnographic descriptions of the Juaneño are often given in terms of their neighbors to the south, the Luiseño, but also point to a separate ethnic identity. Perhaps the most important account of Juaneño culture are the observations made by Gerónimo Boscana, friar at Mission San Juan Capistrano from 1812 to 1826.

Juaneño settlement and subsistence systems may extend back in time to the beginning of the Angeles IV Phase about 1,250 BP when Takic speakers moved south beyond Aliso Creek. The Juaneño were semisedentary hunters and gatherers. One of the most important food resources for inland groups were acorns gathered from oak groves in canyons, drainages, and foothills. Acorns were ground into flour using mortars 682

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and pestles. Seeds from sage and grasses, goosefoot, and California buckwheat were collected and ground into meal with manos and metates. Protein was supplied through the meat of deer, rabbits, and other animals hunted with bow and arrow or trapped using snares, nets, and deadfalls. Coastal dwellers collected shellfish and used carved shell hooks for fishing in bay/estuary, nearshore, and kelp bed zones. Dried fish and shellfish were probably traded for inland products such as acorns and venison.

The Juaneño lived in villages of up to 250 people located near permanent water and a variety of food sources. Each village was typically located at the center of an established territory from which resources for the group were gathered. Small groups left the village for short periods of time to hunt, fish, and gather plant foods. While away from the village, they established temporary camps and created locations where food and other materials were processed. Archaeologically, such locations are evidenced by manos and metates for seed grinding, bedrock mortars for acorn processing, and lithic scatters indicating manufacturing or maintenance of stone tools (usually made of chert) used in hunting or butchering. Overnight stays in field camps are evidenced by fire-affected rock used in hearths.

Mission San Luis Rey
After the San Luis Rey Mission was established in 1798 on the lower San Luis Rey River, most Luiseño were converted and taken to the mission. Poor living conditions at the missions and introduced European diseases led to a rapid decline of the Luiseño population. Following closure of the missions by the Mexican government, Luiseño dispersed throughout Southern California. Some worked on the Mexican ranchos, others moved to newly founded towns established for them, some sought refuge among inland groups, and a few managed to acquire land grants. Later, many moved to or were forced onto reservations established by the U.S. government. Although many of their cultural traditions had been suppressed during the Mission Period, the Luiseño were successful at retaining their language and certain rituals and ceremonies. Starting in the 1970s, there was a revival of interest in the Luiseño language and culture. Today, the Luiseño consist of seven bands and work for “civil rights, cultural preservation and language revitalization” (ECORP 2023).

AB 52 Consultation
On September 15, 2023, the City notified four tribes, pursuant to AB 52, that have requested to be notified of all projects within the tribe’s area of traditional and cultural affiliation––Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Mission Indians, Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, and Soboba Band of Mission Indians. Responses were received from the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians on September 29, 2023; Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians on October 12, 2023; and Morongo Band of Mission Indians on October 19, 2023, December 20, 2023, and February 7, 2024.

The City consulted with the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians on October 16, 2023, the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians on November 16, 2023, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians on February 21, 2024.

SB 18 Consultation
The City requested a local government tribal consultation list from the NAHC on September 12, 2023. The NAHC indicated that the result of the Sacred Lands File search was positive. On November 7, 2023, the City 683

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reached out to 23 tribes and tribal contacts, provided by the NAHC, as part of the SB 18 consultation process. The City has not received any responses from the 23 tribes and tribal contacts.

5.18.2 Thresholds of Significance
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

TCR-1 Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code § 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of the size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is:
i) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k), or
ii) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code § 5024.1. In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resource Code § 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe.

5.18.3 Proposed General Plan Goals and Policies
Land Use Element
GOAL LU 1 Administration: The General Plan is utilized as the guiding planning document for the City and as the basis for regional collaboration.
 Policy LU-1.: Regional Planning Efforts. Wildomar shall participate in regional efforts to address issues of mobility, transportation, traffic congestion, economic development, air and water quality, and watershed and habitat management with Riverside County, neighboring cities, local and regional agencies, stakeholders, and tribal governments.
 Policy LU-1.3 Development Clustering and Density Transfers. Allow development clustering and/or density transfers to preserve open space, natural resources, cultural and/or biologically sensitive resources.

GOAL LU 13 Open Spaces: Open space lands are preserved as natural resources, utilized to buffer land uses and enhance community aesthetics, and protected from adverse impacts of new development.  Policy LU-13.1 Preservation of Open Space Lands. Provide for permanent preservation of open space lands that contain important natural resources, hazards, water features, watercourses, and scenic and recreational value.
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Open Space and Conservation Element
GOAL OS 1: Biological resources are protected from development, conserved, restored, and enhanced.  Policy OS-1.4 Rewilding and Habitat Restoration. Pursue opportunities for rewilding and restoring critical habitats for sensitive species that include, but are not limited to the following: preserving, enhancing, restoring, and expanding an integrated network of open space to support beneficial uses, such as habitat, recreation, natural resources, historic and tribal resources, water management, and aesthetics.

GOAL OS 4: Cultural and historical resources that are protected, enhanced, and restored for the education, appreciation, and enjoyment of future generations.
 Policy OS-4.2 Tribal Consultation. Consult Native American tribes as part of the SB 18 and AB 52 regulations on projects that could potentially have an impact on archaeological sites and other culturally significant properties. Ensure that any inadvertent discoveries of Native American cultural resources are treated with appropriate dignity.
 Policy OS-4.3 Paleontological and Archaeological Resources. Require new development to avoid if possible and to minimize impacts to paleontological and archaeological resources in accordance with the requirements of CEQA.

5.18.4 Environmental Impacts
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement.

Impact 5.18-1: Implementation of the proposed project could cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource that is listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources or a local register of historical resources, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 5020.1(k), or determined to be significant pursuant to the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code Section 5024.1. [Threshold TCR-1]
Conducting consultation early in the CEQA process allows tribal governments, public lead agencies, and project proponents to discuss the level of environmental review, identify and address potential adverse impacts to tribal cultural resources, and reduce the potential for delay and conflict in the environmental review process.

Tribal cultural resources may be found throughout the City, but information about them is much more difficult to obtain than for most archaeological resources. Currently, there is no database of such resources, and most cannot be identified by surveying the land. Identification of tribal cultural resources requires coordination with Native American tribes, and their precise location is often difficult to determine because they may only be documented through the oral history of the tribe.

In accordance with AB 52, the City notified four local tribes about the proposed project on September 15, 2023, to determine the potential for tribal cultural resources within the City and to determine if local 685

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knowledge of tribal cultural resources is available about the City and surrounding areas. The City’s standard cultural/tribal cultural mitigation measures were sent to all tribes.

The City consulted with the Soboba Band of Mission Indians on October 16, 2023; the tribe requested a copy of the cultural resources existing conditions report and indicated that they may be revising the City’s standard mitigation measures. The City consulted with the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians on November 16, 2023; the tribe was provided with a copy of the cultural resources existing conditions report. The City followed up with the Soboba tribe via email on November 13, 2023, and January 4, 2024; the City also followed up with the Pechanga tribe via email on January 4, 2024. At the time this DEIR was published, responses from the Soboba and Pechanga tribes to the City’s follow-up emails have not been received. The City consulted with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians on February 21, 2024; the tribe was provided with a copy of the cultural resources existing conditions report. The tribe indicated that if Native American human remains are discovered, no photographs of the remains should be taken unless absolutely necessary, out of respect for the tribal descendants and to ensure the location of the remains are kept confidential.

Should any tribal resources be discovered during ground-disturbing activities, coordination with the NAHC, project archaeologist, and tribal monitors would ensure tribal resources, including human remains, are treated with respect and in a culturally appropriate manner (see Mitigation Measure TCR-2). The four local tribes are on the City’s distribution list for all projects, including the proposed project; the tribes will be notified when this DEIR has been released and will have the opportunity to review and/or comment on the DEIR.

The City also requested a local government tribal consultation list from the NAHC on September 12, 2023.

The tribal consultation list was requested in accordance with SB 18 requirements for a general plan. The NAHC responded on November 3, 2023, and provided a list of tribes for the City to contact regarding potential consultation. The NAHC also indicated that the Sacred Lands File search was positive. The City sent initial notification letters to 23 Native American tribes and tribal contacts on November 7, 2023. The City has not received responses from any of the 23 Native American tribes and tribal contacts.

All development projects that are subject to CEQA review in the City would be required to implement the City’s standard tribal mitigation measures (Mitigation Measures CUL-2, TCR-1 through TCR-8), as well as consult with Native American tribes either pursuant to AB 52 and/or SB 18. For project sites that are in areas with a high sensitivity for tribal cultural resources, future project applicants would be required to submit a map to the City of Wildomar Community Development Department identifying potential reburial locations on the project site that would not be subject to future development, paving, flooding, or erosion. The map would be kept confidential (see Mitigation Measure TCR-7) and would only be shared with the tribes for approval. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 6524 (r), records of Native American graves, cemeteries, sacred places, features, and objects are required to be confidential.

Additionally, the Proposed General Plan includes policies that would reduce impacts to tribal cultural resources, such as Policy LU-1.3, which calls for clustering of development to preserve culturally sensitive resources, Policy OS-4.2, which requires consultation with tribes pursuant to AB 52 and SB 18 for projects that could potentially impact tribal resources and the treatment of resources with appropriate dignity, and Policy OS-4.3, which requires new development to avoid and minimize impacts to archaeological resources. 686

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Therefore, implementation of the Proposed General Plan policies, mitigation measures, and compliance with state and federal regulations would reduce impacts to less than significant with mitigation incorporated.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.18-1 would be potentially significant.

Mitigation Measures
See Mitigation Measure CUL-2.

TCR-1 Inadvertent Archeological Find. If during ground disturbance activities, cultural resources are discovered that were not assessed by the archaeological report(s) and/or environmental assessment conducted prior to project approval, the following procedures shall be followed.

Cultural resources are defined as being multiple artifacts in close association with each other, but also include fewer artifacts if the area of the find is determined to be of significance due to its sacred or cultural importance as determined in consultation with the lead agency and Native American Tribe(s) that elected to consult under AB 52 (“Consulting Tribe(s)”). a. All ground disturbance activities within 100 feet of the discovered cultural resources shall be halted until a meeting is convened between the developer, the archaeologist, the tribal representative(s) and the Community Development Director to discuss the significance of the find.
b. At the meeting, the significance of the discoveries shall be discussed and after consultation with the tribal representative(s), developer, and the archaeologist, a decision shall be made, with the concurrence of the Community Development Director, as to the appropriate mitigation (documentation, recovery, avoidance, etc.) for the cultural resources.
c. Grading or further ground disturbance shall not resume within the area of the discovery until an agreement has been reached by all parties as to the appropriate mitigation. Work shall be allowed to continue outside of the buffer area and will be monitored by additional Tribal monitors if needed.
d. Treatment and avoidance of the newly discovered resources shall be consistent with the Treatment and Monitoring Agreements entered into with the Consulting Tribe(s) and the applicant. This may include avoidance of the cultural resources through project design, in-place preservation of cultural resources located in native soils and/or re-burial on the Project property so they are not subject to further disturbance in perpetuity as identified in Mitigation Measures TCR-2 and TCR-7.
e. If the find is determined to be significant and avoidance of the site has not been achieved, a Phase III data recovery plan (see Mitigation Measure TCR-6) shall be prepared by the project archeologist, in consultation with the Consulting Tribe(s), and shall be submitted to the City for their review and approval prior to implementation of the said plan.
f. Pursuant to Calif. Pub. Res. Code § 21083.2(b) avoidance is the preferred method of preservation for archaeological resources and tribal cultural resources. If the landowner and the Consulting Tribe(s) cannot agree on the significance or the mitigation for the 687

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archaeological or tribal cultural resources, these issues will be presented to the Community Development Director for decision. The City’s Community Development Director shall make the determination based on the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act with respect to archaeological and tribal cultural resources, recommendations of the project archeologist, and shall take into account the cultural and religious principles and practices of the Consulting Tribe(s). Notwithstanding any other rights available under the law, the decision of the City Community Development Director shall be appealable to the City Planning Commission and/or City Council.

TCR-2 Cultural Resources Disposition. In the event that Native American cultural resources are discovered during the course of grading (inadvertent discoveries), the following procedures shall be carried out for final disposition of the discoveries:
a. One or more of the following treatments, in order of preference, as numbered below, shall be employed with the Consulting Tribe(s). Evidence of such shall be provided to the City of Wildomar Community Development Department:
i. Preservation-In-Place of the cultural resources, if feasible. Preservation in place means avoiding the resources, leaving them in the place where they were found with no development affecting the integrity of the resources. ii. Reburial of the resources on the Project property. The measures for reburial shall include, at least, the following: Measures and provisions to protect the future reburial area from any future impacts in perpetuity. Reburial shall not occur until all legally required cataloging and basic recordation have been completed, with an exception that sacred items, burial goods and Native American human remains are excluded. Any reburial process shall be culturally appropriate. Listing of contents and location of the reburial shall be included in the confidential Phase IV report (see Mitigation Measure TCR-6). The Phase IV Report shall be filed with the City under a confidential cover and not subject to Public Records Request. iii. If preservation in place or reburial is not feasible then the resources shall be curated in a culturally appropriate manner at a Riverside County curation facility that meets State Resources Department Office of Historic Preservation Guidelines for the Curation of Archaeological Resources ensuring access and use pursuant to the Guidelines. The collection and associated records shall be transferred, including title, and are to be accompanied by payment of the fees by the Applicant necessary for permanent curation. Evidence of curation in the form of a letter from the curation facility stating that subject archaeological materials have been received and that all fees have been paid, shall be provided by the landowner to the City. There shall be no destructive or invasive testing on sacred items, burial goods, and Native American human remains, as defined by the cultural and religious practices of the Most Likely Descendant. Results concerning finds of any inadvertent discoveries shall be included in the Phase IV monitoring report.
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TCR-3 Archaeologist Retained. Prior to issuance of a grading permit the project applicant shall retain a Riverside County qualified Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), to monitor all ground disturbing activities in an effort to identify any unknown archaeological resources.

The Registered Professional Archaeologist and the Tribal monitor(s) required by Mitigation Measures TCR-4 and TCR-5 shall manage and oversee monitoring for all initial ground disturbing activities and excavation of each portion of the project site including clearing, grubbing, tree removals, mass or rough grading, trenching, stockpiling of materials, rock crushing, structure demolition and etc. The Registered Professional Archaeologist and the Tribal monitor(s), shall independently have the authority to temporarily divert, redirect or halt the ground disturbance activities to allow identification, evaluation, and potential recovery of cultural resources in coordination with any required special interest or tribal monitors.

The developer/permit holder shall submit a fully executed copy of the contract to the Community Development Department to ensure compliance with this condition of approval. Upon verification, the Community Development Department shall clear this condition.

In addition, the Registered Professional Archaeologist, in consultation with the Consulting Tribe(s), the contractor, and the City, shall develop a Cultural Resources Management Plan (CRMP) pursuant to the definition in AB 52 to address the details, timing and responsibility of all archaeological and cultural activities that will occur on the project site. A consulting tribe is defined as a tribe that initiated the AB 52 tribal consultation process for the Project, has not opted out of the AB 52 consultation process, and has completed AB 52 consultation with the City as provided for in Cal. Pub. Res. Code Section 21080.3.2(b)(1) of AB52.

Details in the Plan shall include:
a. Project grading and development scheduling;
b. The Project archaeologist and the Consulting Tribes(s) shall attend the pre-grading meeting with the City, the construction manager and any contractors and will conduct a mandatory Cultural Resources Worker Sensitivity Training to those in attendance. The Training will include a brief review of the cultural sensitivity of the Project and the surrounding area; what resources could potentially be identified during earthmoving activities; the requirements of the monitoring program; the protocols that apply in the event inadvertent discoveries of cultural resources are identified, including who to contact and appropriate avoidance measures until the find(s) can be properly evaluated; and any other appropriate protocols. All new construction personnel that will conduct earthwork or grading activities that begin work on the Project following the initial Training must take the Cultural Sensitivity Training prior to beginning work and the Project archaeologist and Consulting Tribe(s) shall make themselves available to provide the training on an as-needed basis;
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c. The protocols and stipulations that the contractor, City, Consulting Tribe(s) and Project archaeologist will follow in the event of inadvertent cultural resources discoveries, including any newly discovered cultural resource deposits that shall be subject to a cultural resources evaluation.

TCR-4 Native American Monitoring (Pechanga). Tribal monitor(s) shall be required on-site during all ground-disturbing activities, including grading, stockpiling of materials, engineered fill, rock crushing, etc. The land divider/permit holder shall retain a qualified tribal monitor(s) from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. Prior to issuance of a grading permit, the developer shall submit a copy of a signed contract between the above-mentioned Tribe and the land divider/permit holder for the monitoring of the project to the Community Development Department and to the Engineering Department. The Tribal Monitor(s) shall have the authority to temporarily divert, redirect or halt the grounddisturbance activities to allow recovery of cultural resources, in coordination with the Project Archaeologist.

TCR-5 Native American Monitoring (Soboba). Tribal monitor(s) shall be required on-site during all ground-disturbing activities, including grading, stockpiling of materials, engineered fill, rock crushing, etc. The land divider/permit holder shall retain a qualified tribal monitor(s) from the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians. Prior to issuance of a grading permit, the developer shall submit a copy of a signed contract between the above-mentioned Tribe and the land divider/permit holder for the monitoring of the project to the Community Development Department and to the Engineering Department. The Tribal Monitor(s) shall have the authority to temporarily divert, redirect or halt the ground-disturbance activities to allow recovery of cultural resources, in coordination with the Project Archaeologist.

TCR-6 Archeology Report - Phase III and IV. Prior to final inspection, the developer/permit holder shall prompt the Project Archeologist to submit two (2) copies of the Phase III Data Recovery report (if required for the Project) and the Phase IV Cultural Resources Monitoring Report. The Phase IV report shall include evidence of the required cultural/historical sensitivity training for the construction staff held during the pre-grade meeting. The Community Development Department shall review the reports to determine adequate mitigation compliance. Provided the reports are adequate, the Community Development Department shall clear this condition. Once the report(s) are determined to be adequate, two (2) copies shall be submitted to the Eastern Information Center (EIC) at the University of California Riverside (UCR) and one (1) copy shall be submitted to the Consulting Tribe(s) Cultural Resources Department(s).

TCR-7 Non-Disclosure of Reburial Locations. It is understood by all parties that unless otherwise required by law, the site of any reburial of Native American human remains or associated grave goods shall not be disclosed and shall not be governed by public disclosure requirements of the California Public Records Act. The Coroner, pursuant to the specific exemption set forth in California Government Code Section 6254 (r)., parties, and Lead Agencies, will be asked to withhold public disclosure information related to such reburial. 690

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TCR-8 No-Build Easement or Similar Instrument. In the event that Native American artifacts are found and buried within the project vicinity, a no-build easement, or similar legal instrument, shall be used to preclude future development from taking place on the reburial site(s).

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.18-1 would be less than significant.

5.18.5 Cumulative Impacts
As with the proposed project and future development in the City, each related cumulative project would be required to comply with AB 52 and PRC Section 21083.2(i), which addresses accidental discoveries of archaeological sites and resources, including tribal cultural resources. The City’s standard mitigation measures and the policies from the Proposed General Plan would apply to both the proposed project and projectspecific CEQA review for future development in the City. Therefore, any discoveries of tribal cultural resources from the proposed project or elated projects would be mitigated to a less-than-significant-impact.

Therefore, project impacts would not be cumulatively considerable.

5.18.6 Level of Significance Before Mitigation
Without mitigation, the following impacts would be potentially significant:
 Impact 5.18-1 The proposed project could impact tribal cultural resources.

5.18.7 Mitigation Measures
Impact 5.18-1
See Mitigation Measure CUL-2.

TCR-1 Inadvertent Archeological Find. If during ground disturbance activities, cultural resources are discovered that were not assessed by the archaeological report(s) and/or environmental assessment conducted prior to project approval, the following procedures shall be followed.

Cultural resources are defined as being multiple artifacts in close association with each other, but also include fewer artifacts if the area of the find is determined to be of significance due to its sacred or cultural importance as determined in consultation with the lead agency and Native American Tribe(s) that elected to consult under AB 52 (“Consulting Tribe(s)”). a. All ground disturbance activities within 100 feet of the discovered cultural resources shall be halted until a meeting is convened between the developer, the archaeologist, the tribal representative(s) and the Community Development Director to discuss the significance of the find.
b. At the meeting, the significance of the discoveries shall be discussed and after consultation with the tribal representative(s), developer, and the archaeologist, a decision shall be made, with the concurrence of the Community Development Director, as to the 691

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appropriate mitigation (documentation, recovery, avoidance, etc.) for the cultural resources.
c. Grading or further ground disturbance shall not resume within the area of the discovery until an agreement has been reached by all parties as to the appropriate mitigation. Work shall be allowed to continue outside of the buffer area and will be monitored by additional Tribal monitors if needed.
d. Treatment and avoidance of the newly discovered resources shall be consistent with the Treatment and Monitoring Agreements entered into with the Consulting Tribe(s) and the applicant. This may include avoidance of the cultural resources through project design, in-place preservation of cultural resources located in native soils and/or re-burial on the Project property so they are not subject to further disturbance in perpetuity as identified in Mitigation Measures TCR-2 and TCR-7.
e. If the find is determined to be significant and avoidance of the site has not been achieved, a Phase III data recovery plan (see Mitigation Measure TCR-6) shall be prepared by the project archeologist, in consultation with the Consulting Tribe(s), and shall be submitted to the City for their review and approval prior to implementation of the said plan.
f. Pursuant to Calif. Pub. Res. Code § 21083.2(b) avoidance is the preferred method of preservation for archaeological resources and tribal cultural resources. If the landowner and the Consulting Tribe(s) cannot agree on the significance or the mitigation for the archaeological or tribal cultural resources, these issues will be presented to the Community Development Director for decision. The City’s Community Development Director shall make the determination based on the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act with respect to archaeological and tribal cultural resources, recommendations of the project archeologist, and shall take into account the cultural and religious principles and practices of the Consulting Tribe(s). Notwithstanding any other rights available under the law, the decision of the City Community Development Director shall be appealable to the City Planning Commission and/or City Council.

TCR-2 Cultural Resources Disposition. In the event that Native American cultural resources are discovered during the course of grading (inadvertent discoveries), the following procedures shall be carried out for final disposition of the discoveries:
a. One or more of the following treatments, in order of preference, as numbered below, shall be employed with the Consulting Tribe(s). Evidence of such shall be provided to the City of Wildomar Community Development Department:
i. Preservation-In-Place of the cultural resources, if feasible. Preservation in place means avoiding the resources, leaving them in the place where they were found with no development affecting the integrity of the resources. ii. Reburial of the resources on the Project property. The measures for reburial shall include, at least, the following: Measures and provisions to protect the future reburial area from any future impacts in perpetuity. Reburial shall not occur until all 692

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legally required cataloging and basic recordation have been completed, with an exception that sacred items, burial goods and Native American human remains are excluded. Any reburial process shall be culturally appropriate. Listing of contents and location of the reburial shall be included in the confidential Phase IV report (see Mitigation Measure TCR-6). The Phase IV Report shall be filed with the City under a confidential cover and not subject to Public Records Request. iii. If preservation in place or reburial is not feasible then the resources shall be curated in a culturally appropriate manner at a Riverside County curation facility that meets State Resources Department Office of Historic Preservation Guidelines for the Curation of Archaeological Resources ensuring access and use pursuant to the Guidelines. The collection and associated records shall be transferred, including title, and are to be accompanied by payment of the fees by the Applicant necessary for permanent curation. Evidence of curation in the form of a letter from the curation facility stating that subject archaeological materials have been received and that all fees have been paid, shall be provided by the landowner to the City. There shall be no destructive or invasive testing on sacred items, burial goods, and Native American human remains, as defined by the cultural and religious practices of the Most Likely Descendant. Results concerning finds of any inadvertent discoveries shall be included in the Phase IV monitoring report.

TCR-3 Archaeologist Retained. Prior to issuance of a grading permit the project applicant shall retain a Riverside County qualified Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA), to monitor all ground disturbing activities in an effort to identify any unknown archaeological resources.

The Registered Professional Archaeologist and the Tribal monitor(s) required by Mitigation Measures TCR-4 and TCR-5 shall manage and oversee monitoring for all initial ground disturbing activities and excavation of each portion of the project site including clearing, grubbing, tree removals, mass or rough grading, trenching, stockpiling of materials, rock crushing, structure demolition and etc. The Registered Professional Archaeologist and the Tribal monitor(s), shall independently have the authority to temporarily divert, redirect or halt the ground disturbance activities to allow identification, evaluation, and potential recovery of cultural resources in coordination with any required special interest or tribal monitors.

The developer/permit holder shall submit a fully executed copy of the contract to the Community Development Department to ensure compliance with this condition of approval. Upon verification, the Community Development Department shall clear this condition.

In addition, the Registered Professional Archaeologist, in consultation with the Consulting Tribe(s), the contractor, and the City, shall develop a Cultural Resources Management Plan (CRMP) pursuant to the definition in AB 52 to address the details, timing and responsibility of all archaeological and cultural activities that will occur on the project site. A consulting tribe is defined as a tribe that initiated the AB 52 tribal consultation process for the Project, 693

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has not opted out of the AB 52 consultation process, and has completed AB 52 consultation with the City as provided for in Cal. Pub. Res. Code Section 21080.3.2(b)(1) of AB 52.

Details in the Plan shall include:
a. Project grading and development scheduling;
b. The Project archaeologist and the Consulting Tribes(s) shall attend the pre-grading meeting with the City, the construction manager and any contractors and will conduct a mandatory Cultural Resources Worker Sensitivity Training to those in attendance. The Training will include a brief review of the cultural sensitivity of the Project and the surrounding area; what resources could potentially be identified during earthmoving activities; the requirements of the monitoring program; the protocols that apply in the event inadvertent discoveries of cultural resources are identified, including who to contact and appropriate avoidance measures until the find(s) can be properly evaluated; and any other appropriate protocols. All new construction personnel that will conduct earthwork or grading activities that begin work on the Project following the initial Training must take the Cultural Sensitivity Training prior to beginning work and the Project archaeologist and Consulting Tribe(s) shall make themselves available to provide the training on an as-needed basis;
c. The protocols and stipulations that the contractor, City, Consulting Tribe(s) and Project archaeologist will follow in the event of inadvertent cultural resources discoveries, including any newly discovered cultural resource deposits that shall be subject to a cultural resources evaluation.

TCR-4 Native American Monitoring (Pechanga). Tribal monitor(s) shall be required on-site during all ground-disturbing activities, including grading, stockpiling of materials, engineered fill, rock crushing, etc. The land divider/permit holder shall retain a qualified tribal monitor(s) from the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians. Prior to issuance of a grading permit, the developer shall submit a copy of a signed contract between the above-mentioned Tribe and the land divider/permit holder for the monitoring of the project to the Community Development Department and to the Engineering Department. The Tribal Monitor(s) shall have the authority to temporarily divert, redirect or halt the grounddisturbance activities to allow recovery of cultural resources, in coordination with the Project Archaeologist.

TCR-5 Native American Monitoring (Soboba). Tribal monitor(s) shall be required on-site during all ground-disturbing activities, including grading, stockpiling of materials, engineered fill, rock crushing, etc. The land divider/permit holder shall retain a qualified tribal monitor(s) from the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians. Prior to issuance of a grading permit, the developer shall submit a copy of a signed contract between the above-mentioned Tribe and the land divider/permit holder for the monitoring of the project to the Community Development Department and to the Engineering Department. The Tribal Monitor(s) shall 694

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have the authority to temporarily divert, redirect or halt the ground-disturbance activities to allow recovery of cultural resources, in coordination with the Project Archaeologist.

TCR-6 Archeology Report - Phase III and IV. Prior to final inspection, the developer/permit holder shall prompt the Project Archeologist to submit two (2) copies of the Phase III Data Recovery report (if required for the Project) and the Phase IV Cultural Resources Monitoring Report. The Phase IV report shall include evidence of the required cultural/historical sensitivity training for the construction staff held during the pre-grade meeting. The Community Development Department shall review the reports to determine adequate mitigation compliance. Provided the reports are adequate, the Community Development Department shall clear this condition. Once the report(s) are determined to be adequate, two (2) copies shall be submitted to the Eastern Information Center (EIC) at the University of California Riverside (UCR) and one (1) copy shall be submitted to the Consulting Tribe(s) Cultural Resources Department(s).

TCR-7 Non-Disclosure of Reburial Locations. It is understood by all parties that unless otherwise required by law, the site of any reburial of Native American human remains or associated grave goods shall not be disclosed and shall not be governed by public disclosure requirements of the California Public Records Act. The Coroner, pursuant to the specific exemption set forth in California Government Code Section 6254 (r)., parties, and Lead Agencies, will be asked to withhold public disclosure information related to such reburial.

TCR-8 No-Build Easement or Similar Instrument. In the event that Native American artifacts are found and buried within the project vicinity, a no-build easement, or similar legal instrument, shall be used to preclude future development from taking place on the reburial site(s).

5.18.8 Level of Significance After Mitigation
Mitigation Measure CUL-2, which requires compliance with State Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 and Public Resource Code Section 5097.98(b); and Mitigation Measures TCR-1 through TCR-8, which outline procedures and requirements for the inadvertent discovery of archaeological resources, cultural resources disposition, retaining an archeologist, retaining Native American monitors from the Pechanga and Soboba tribes, preparation of archaeology Phase III and Phase IV reports, non-disclosure of reburial sites for inadvertent discoveries, and implementing no-build easements for reburial sites, would reduce impacts to less than significant.

5.18.9 References
ECORP Consulting, Inc. (ECORP). 2023, October 27. Cultural Resources Assessment for City of Wildomar General Plan Update, Riverside County, California. Appendix 5.5-1. 695

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5.19 UTILITIES AND SERVICE SYSTEMS
This section of the DEIR addresses the potential for implementation of the Proposed City of Wildomar General Plan (Proposed General Plan) to impact utilities and service systems in the City of Wildomar compared to existing conditions. Utilities and service systems include water supply and distribution systems; wastewater (sewage) conveyance and treatment; storm drainage systems; solid waste collection and disposal services; and other energy-related public utilities. Impacts to hydrology (e.g., flooding) and water quality are provided in Section 5.10, Hydrology and Water Quality, of this DEIR. Cumulative impacts are based on the service areas of the water and wastewater providers, the Santa Ana River and Santa Margarita River watersheds for stormwater impacts, and the service area of El Sobrante Landfill for solid waste impacts.

FOCAL POINT
Future development projects within the City under the Proposed General Plan would create additional demand for water, electricity, and telecommunications and would generate additional wastewater, solid waste and stormwater runoff. However, the service providers are projecting their existing infrastructure, through compliance with federal, State, and local regulations, would meet future growth for the City and for the surrounding areas. In addition, the Proposed General Plan includes policies related to land use, water quality, water conservation, utility coordination, energy efficiency, and renewable energy generation that would contribute to minimizing impacts to utilities and service systems. Impacts to utilities and service systems with implementation of the Proposed General Plan policies would be less than significant.

5.19.1 Wastewater Treatment and Collection

5.19.1.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Framework
Federal Regulations
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) regulates the discharge of pollutants into watersheds throughout the nation. Under the CWA, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implements pollution control programs, sets wastewater standards, and makes it unlawful to discharge pollutants from a point source into any navigable waters without obtaining a permit. Point sources include any conveyances, such as pipes and man-made drainage channels, from which pollutants may be discharged.

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program was established in the CWA to regulate municipal and industrial discharges to surface waters of the United States. Federal NPDES permit regulations have been established for broad categories of discharges, including point-source municipal waste discharges and nonpoint-source stormwater runoff. NPDES permits generally identify effluent and receiving water limits on allowable concentrations and/or mass emissions of pollutants contained in the discharge; set prohibitions on discharges not specifically allowed under the permit; and establish provisions that describe 696

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required actions by the discharger, including industrial pretreatment, pollution prevention, self-monitoring, and other activities. Wastewater discharge is regulated under the NPDES permit program for direct discharges into receiving waters and by the National Pretreatment Program for indirect discharges to a sewage treatment plant.

State Regulations
State Water Resources Control Board: Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements On May 2, 2006, the SWRCB adopted a General Waste Discharge Requirement (Order No. 2006-0003) and a monitoring and reporting program (Order No. WQ-2013-0058-EXEC) for all publicly owned sanitary sewer collection systems in California with more than one mile of sewer pipes. The order provides a consistent statewide approach to reducing sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) by requiring public sewer system operators to take all feasible steps to control the volume of waste discharged into the system, to prevent sanitary sewer waste from entering the storm sewer system, and to develop a Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP). The General Waste Discharge Requirement also requires that SSOs be reported to the SWRCB using an online reporting system. The SWRCB has delegated authority to the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs) to enforce these requirements within their regions.

The SSMP evaluates existing sewer collection systems and provides a framework for minimizing the frequency and impact of SSOs. The SSMP includes an overflow emergency response plan; a fats, oil, and grease control program; scheduled inspections and condition assessment; design and construction standards; capacity assessment and management; and a monitoring program.

Assembly Bill 885 (AB 885)
The SWRCB implements regulations to reduce the impact of wastewater sources on groundwater quality in accordance with state law (AB 885) through its water quality control policy for siting, design, operation, and maintenance of onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) (septic systems) (Resolution No. 2012-0032).

This policy establishes a statewide, risk-based, tiered approach for the regulation and management of OWTS installations and replacements that have affected, or will affect, groundwater or surface water to a degree that makes it unfit for drinking water or other uses or cause a health or public nuisance condition. RWQCBs incorporated the standards established in the OWTS policy or standards that are more protective of the environment and public health into their water quality control plans. Implementation is overseen by the state and regional water quality boards and local agencies (e.g., county and city departments and independent districts).

Regional Regulations
Regional Water Quality Control Board
The City of Wildomar is split between two RWQCBs: the Santa Ana RWQCB (Region 8) and the San Diego RWQCB (Region 9). Each RWQCB issues and enforces NPDES permits within the area of its jurisdiction within the City, which includes permits for wastewater treatment plants, water reclamation facilities, and industrial waste discharges. NPDES permits allow the RWQCB to regulate where and how waste is disposed, including the discharge volume and effluent limits of waste and the monitoring and reporting responsibilities 697

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of the discharger. The RWQCBs are also charged with conducting inspections of permitted discharges and monitoring permit compliance.

There are four water reclamation facilities which serve the City of Wildomar. The NDPES permits and waste discharge requirements for these facilities are described in Section 5.19.1.2, Existing Conditions.

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health: Local Agency Management Plan Riverside County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) adopted a Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) to comply with the State’s OWTS policy (RDEH 2022). The LAMP provides minimum standards and requirements for the treatment and disposal of sewage using on-site septic systems when no connection to a sewer is available. The LAMP allows for OWTS within the County while providing standards that protect water quality and public health. The LAMP is enforced through Riverside County Ordinance 650, which regulates sewage discharges.

Requirements for new development include siting standards for OWTS near drinking water wells, impaired waterways, sources of groundwater, and other specific land uses. Regulations include minimum lot size, residential density, minimum setback requirements, natural ground slope and percolation, OWTS design specifications, and other criteria. Oversight of OWTS plan review, plan check, and installation are provided by the DEH (RDEH 2022). DEH is responsible for issuing permits for conventional and alternative treatment systems; reviewing percolation reports and alternative treatment proposals for new and replacement systems in high-risk residential areas and commercial projects; and complying with LAMP reporting requirements.

Applicants for installation of a new OWTS within the City of Wildomar or Riverside County must comply with the guidelines provided in the DEH’s Local Agency Management Program for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (RDEH 2022).

Local Regulations
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District Sewer System Master Plan The Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) is currently in the process of updating the Sewer System Master Plan (Sewer Master Plan). It will consist of updated wastewater generation factors and an updated assessment of current and future wastewater collection needs. The revised Sewer Master Plan will address system deficiencies and facility requirements to meet rising demands over a 25-year time period. The report will also provide details for a Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including prioritization of projects and construction cost estimates. The overall objective of the Sewer Master Plan is to provide cost-effective and fiscally responsible sewer collection services that meet the capacity and reliability requirements of its current and future customers. The revised Sewer Master Plan will supersede and replace the 2016 Sewer Master Plan and will be completed by the summer of 2024.

EVMWD Sewer System Management Plan
The SSMP was prepared by EVMWD in order to comply with SWRCB Order No. 2006-0003, adopted May 2, 2006 (EVMWD 2022). This document was created to properly manage, operate and maintain all areas of the sanitary sewer system in order to reduce and prevent SSOs to the extent possible, as well as mitigate any SSOs that do occur (EVMWD 2022). The SSMP describes how the sanitary sewer system is operated and maintained, 698

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efforts to minimize infiltration and inflow, design and performance standards, overflow emergency response plan, a fats, oil and grease control program, and monitoring and audit requirements. As required by law, the SSMP must be updated every five years and must be developed in compliance with the requirements of the SWRCB Waste Discharge Requirements Order No. 2006-003-DWQ, Amended Monitoring and Reporting Program Order No. WQ 2008-002-EXEC, and Order No. WQ 2013-0058-EXEC.

EVMWD Recycled Water System Master Plan
The City’s recycled water is supplied as part of the three-agency agreement between EVMWD, Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) and Rancho California Water District. The Wildomar services area receives an average flow of 0.8 million gallons of recycled water per day (mgd), with a peak supply of 1.54 mgd (EVMWD 2016a). The four water reclamation facilities which provide wastewater treatment for the City of Wildomar and the EVMWD service area also provide recycled water to four areas: Wildomar service area, Railroad Canyon service area, Horsethief service area, and Regional service area. The Recycled Water System Master Plan (Recycled Water Plan) gives an overview of each water service area and evaluates the available recycled water supply for each area. The Recycled Water Plan also includes recommended capital improvement projects that would allow the EVMWD to expand the existing recycled water system and provide the facilities necessary to meet future recycled water demands (EVMWD 2016a).

EVMWD Design Standards
EVMWD provides standards for the design, materials, and construction procedures for improvements to the potable water, recycled water, and sewerage systems of EVMWD (EVMWD 2024a). These standards apply to all work performed by developers, engineers, contractors, and individuals within EVMWD’s service area. The EVMWD Design Standards document includes construction plan requirements, plan review, compliance with laws and regulations, and standard drawings for the design of sewer facilities and recycled water facilities.

City of Wildomar Municipal Code
The City of Wildomar Municipal Code includes various directives that pertain to wastewater. The Municipal Code is organized by title, chapter, and section. Most provisions are found in Title 8, Health and Safety, and Title 13, Public Services.
 Chapter 8.96, Sewage Discharges, provides the requirements for OWTS (septic system) installation, construction, or alteration, soil percolation tests, and groundwater evaluation report and requires coordination of applications with the RDEH. Section 8.98.030 provides the general requirements for construction, sizing, and installation and in some areas of the City, the requirement to obtain a construction permit. Section 8.96.080 provides the annual operating permit fees.  Chapter 8.68, Liquid Wastes and Animal By-Products, requires that persons or businesses engaged in the cleaning of portable toilets, septic tanks, sewage seepage pits, or grease traps, or engaged in the transportation of waste from these cleanings, must have a valid permit issued by the health officer.  Chapter 13.04, Sewer System Service, ensures maximum beneficial public use of the City service area facilities through adequate regulation of sewer construction, sewer use and industrial wastewater discharges 699

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and to provide for equitable distribution of the costs. Accordingly, no person, other than employees of the City or persons contracting to do work with the City, shall construct or alter any public sewer, lateral sewer, house connection or industrial sewer, pumping facility or other sewerage facility within the City where existing or proposed wastewater flows will discharge to the sewer system without obtaining approval of construction plans from the Department of Building and Safety.  Chapter 16.36, Dry Sewers, provides general requirements for the installation of dry sewer systems in areas with marginal soils and if connection to wet sewerage system is not available.

EVMWD Ordinance No. 279
Adopted by the Board of Directors of EVMWD in 2023, this ordinance provides regulations that apply to EVMWD’s wastewater collection, treatment systems and the environment from waste discharges by users with the potential to detrimentally impact the beneficial use of recycled water and municipal sludge. The purpose of this ordinance is to provide the conditions and limitations on the use of EVMWD’s sewer system, and to establish specific enforcement provisions to resolve noncompliance (EVMWD 2023a).

5.19.1.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Wastewater Collection
The EVMWD provides wastewater collection service for the City of Wildomar, the cities of Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore, portions of the City of Murrieta, and unincorporated portions of Riverside County. The wastewater collection system consists primarily of polyvinyl chloride and vitrified clay pipe, with the majority of the piping installed in the last 25 years. The collection system consists mainly of gravity pipes and force mains ranging from 4 to 54 inches in diameter. The “backbone” of the system consists of trunk sewers, generally 10 inches in diameter and larger, that convey the collected wastewater to the Water Reclamation Facilities (WRF) described below. The existing EVMWD wastewater collection system consists of over 406 miles of pipes (force mains and gravity), 38 active lift stations, and 3 WRFs (EVMWD 2016b).

Most of the wastewater collected within the City of Wildomar is in EVMWD’s Regional Collection System and is conveyed to the EVMWD’s Regional WRF. The southernmost part of Wildomar is within the EVMWD’s Southern Collection System, and the wastewater is conveyed to Rancho California Water District’s (RCWD) wastewater collection system, where it is treated at RCWD’s Santa Rosa WRF.

In addition, the Farm Mutual Water Company provides sewer collection services for the Farm community in Wildomar, which is located in the northeastern portion of the City. The collected sewage is treated on-site and sprayed onto vacant land off of Bundy Canyon Drive although there are plans to eliminate this disposal method.

However, large portions of the rural and mountainous areas of Wildomar east of I-15 rely on septic systems for wastewater treatment because there is no nearby regional wastewater collection service available. Sedco Hills, an area in the northern portion of Wildomar, is in the process of converting residential septic systems to the EVMWD sewer collection system over a period of 48 months at no cost to the residents (EVMWD 2023c). 700

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Wastewater Treatment
EVMWD currently operates three wastewater reclamation facilities: the Regional WRF, Horsethief Canyon WRF, and Railroad Canyon WRF. In addition, wastewater flow in the southern part of EVMWD’s service area is treated at the Santa Rosa WRF operated by RCWD. These four reclamation facilities serve four major service areas within the EVMWD’s wastewater collection system. Effluent from all of these WRFs meets Drinking Water Title 22 standards and, therefore can be used for nonpotable water supply to EVMWD’s recycled water system. Only two of the four WRFs provide wastewater treatment for the Wildomar service area, and are described below:
 The Regional WRF was constructed in 1986 with a capacity of 2 mgd. Several expansions and improvements were completed over the years, and currently the plant has an average flow capacity of 8 mgd and a peak flow capacity of 17.6 mgd and treats flows using an extended aeration process (EVMWD 2016b). The majority of the City of Wildomar is within the Regional WRF service area. EVMWD anticipates upgrading the average flow capacity to 12 mgd with the additional process train by 2026 (EVMWD 2023b). The Santa Ana RWQCB issued a NPDES permit (CA8000027) for the Regional WRF last amended in 2019 (Order No. R2-2019-0054).
 The Santa Rosa WRF is in the City of Murrieta, southeast of Wildomar. EVMWD conveys sewer discharges for a portion of Wildomar south of Clinton Keith Road to five metering manholes within the Rancho California Water District (RCWD) wastewater collection system before these flows are conveyed to the Santa Rosa WRF, which is owned and operated by RCWD. The Santa Rosa WRF has an average design flow of 5 mgd and receives approximately 0.8 mgd of wastewater from the EVMWD service area (EVMWD 2016a). The San Diego RWQCB issued waste discharge requirement 94-92 for the Santa Rosa WRF in 1994.

5.19.1.3 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

U-1 Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded wastewater treatment facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects.

U-3 Result in a determination by the waste water treatment provider which serves or may serve the project that it has adequate capacity to serve the project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments.

5.19.1.4 PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES
Land Use Element
GOAL LU 2 Development Capacity: Responsible growth through well-planned development provides for the needs of Wildomar’s residents and businesses, makes efficient use of land and infrastructure, protects 701

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important environmental resources, promotes the health of the community, and maintains the unique character distinguishing the City as a special place in the region.  Policy LU-2.1 Adequate Service Provision for New Development. Coordinate with local agencies, service providers and utilities to ensure adequate service provision for new development.

GOAL LU 3 Focus Areas: Unique areas of the City are enhanced to meet residents’ needs.  Policy LU-3.1 Cottonwood Canyon. Encourage lot mergers consistent with the land use and zoning designations for this area to establish developable lots that meet minimum thresholds for health and safety of onsite water treatment or require new development to provide for the extension or development of full public sewerage and water services.
 Policy LU-3.2 Sedco. Work with utility providers to improve infrastructure in the Sedco area and explore opportunities to expand the provision of public services. Explore opportunities to ensure current residents, including renters, benefit from investments in infrastructure improvements.

GOAL LU 12 Public Facilities: Governmental, utility, institutional, educational, recreational, cultural, religious, and social facilities and services are located and designed to complement Wildomar’s neighborhoods, centers, and corridors.
 Policy LU-12.4 Maintenance and Enhancement. Coordinate, partner with, and encourage school and utility districts and other government and independent agencies that may be exempt from City land use control to plan and improve their properties and design improvements to achieve a high level of visual and architectural quality that maintains the character of the neighborhood or district in which they are located.  Policy LU-12.6 Equitable Access. Support equitable access to a full complement of critical infrastructure and utilities for all residents and businesses.

Circulation Element
GOAL CI 8: A robust network of infrastructure and utility systems supports the City’s growth.  Policy CI-8.1 Collaborate with Utilities and Service Providers. Work with utilities and service providers for water, wastewater, energy, and solid waste, including, but not limited to, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), CR&R, Southern California Edison (SCE) and SoCalGas, to ensure that services and facilities meet resident needs reliably and support the City’s growth.

5.19.1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement.

Impact 5.19-1: The proposed project would not require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded wastewater treatment facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects. [Threshold U-1]
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Buildout of the Proposed General Plan would result in an increase in wastewater generation with the addition of 8,992 dwelling units and 2,965,538 square feet of non-residential land use. However, as discussed below, future demands from the increased population and land use changes from implementation of the Proposed General Plan would not exceed the permitted capacity of the EVMWD WRF that serves the City. For areas within the City, wastewater generated by the Proposed General Plan would be collected by the EVMWD sewer system and conveyed to the Regional WRF. In addition, wastewater from the City of Lake Elsinore and other nearby communities are treated at the Regional WRF and served by the EVMWD sewer collection system. A small portion of the southern area of Wildomar is served by the RCWD’s Santa Rosa WRF. New residences and construction in areas of Wildomar that are zoned rural mountainous and are far from a connecting sewer collection system would be served by private septic systems and would require permitting by the Riverside County Department of Environmental Health and the City of Wildomar.

An estimate of the amount of additional wastewater generated by the Proposed General Plan was determined, as shown in Table 5.19-1, Wastewater Demand Increase: Proposed Project. The wastewater generation factors used in the assessment were provided by EVMWD and are from their revised Sewer Master Plan (which is currently in production). For both residential and nonresidential development, a weighted average wastewater generation factor was determined based on the fraction of each land use to the total buildout. These wastewater generation numbers are conservative because they do not account for the water conservation measures that new construction would be required to implement with compliance to the CALGreen Building Code and the fact that some areas of Wildomar would be on private septic systems and not connected to the wastewater collection system. These wastewater generation numbers are also conservative because the Farm community area of Wildomar has its own sewer collection and treatment system.

Table 5.19-1 Wastewater Demand Increase: Proposed Project Category Increase Due to Proposed Project
Wastewater Generation Factor
(Weighted Avg)
Wastewater Generation
(gallons per day)
Dwelling Units 8,992 du 224 gpd/du 1 2,014,208
Non-Residential Development 2,965,538 square feet
68 acres 807 gpd/acre 2 54,940
Total 2,069,148

2.1 mgd
Notes: gpd – gallons per day; du – dwelling unit; mgd – millions of gallons per day 1 The residential wastewater generation factor is based on revised factors provided by EVMWD; Single Family Residential 250 gpd/du and Multi-Family Residential 150 gpd/du. Approximately 74 percent of the new dwelling units from the Proposed General Plan are projected to be Single Family Residential. Therefore, the weighted average generation factor for the combination of single and multi-family residential is 0.74*250 + 0.26*150 = 224 gpd/du. 2 The non-residential wastewater generation factor is based on revised factors provided by EVMWD. A weighted average of wastewater generation factors and the fraction of land use square footages was determined for the following land uses: Commercial, Business Park, Industrial, Public Facility, Open Space, and Mixed Use.

The increase in wastewater demand with buildout of the Proposed General Plan is estimated to be approximately 2.1 mgd. According to the Sewer Master Plan, EVMWD projected 10.8 mgd of wastewater in 2020 for their entire service area (EVMWD 2016b). As the population of Wildomar is approximately 23 percent of the total population of the EVMWD service area, approximately 2.5 mgd of existing wastewater can be attributed to Wildomar (i.e., 23 percent of 10.8 mgd) (EVMWD 2021a). When the 2.1 mgd of wastewater 703

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demand from project buildout is combined with the existing average daily flow of 2.5 mgd for the City, the total amount of wastewater generated by the City in 2045 is estimated to be 4.5 mgd.

The existing average daily flows to the Regional WRF is 6.0 mgd and to the Santa Rosa WRF is 0.8 mgd from EVMWD’s service area (EVMWD 2021a). The Regional WRF has a permitted capacity for an average daily flow of 8 mgd but is being upgraded to 12 mgd by 2026, and the Santa Rosa WRF has a permitted capacity of 5 mgd (EVMWD 2023b). Therefore, the residual capacity for the Regional WRF in 2045 would be 6 mgd, which is greater than the additional 2.1 mgd of wastewater that would be generated from buildout of the Proposed General Plan.1 Additionally, the Santa Rosa WRF currently treats on average 0.8 mgd of wastewater from Wildomar in the southern part of EVMWD’s service area, and in total treats an average daily flow of approximately 2.9 mgd for its service area (EVMWD 2016b). Therefore, the Santa Rosa WRF has a residual capacity of 2.1 mgd, which would accommodate any future growth in the southern portion of Wildomar.2 Lastly, wastewater flows from smaller portions of the EVMWD service area outside of Wildomar would continue to be to its two other WRFs (Horsethief Canyon WRF and Railroad Canyon WRF) and not contribute to the treated capacity for the Regional WRF and Santa Rosa WRF. As the Regional WRF and Santa Rosa WRF each have adequate capacity for future growth in their service areas, the EVMWD and RCWD would be able to accommodate future wastewater flows from Wildomar and the other cities and communities in the area.

EVMWD imposes sewer connection fees on new development to recover a proportionate share of costs for expanding wastewater collection services and upgrades to the WRFs. Implementation of the Proposed General Plan would not require the construction or expansion of the Regional WRF, Santa Rosa WRF or sewer collection system beyond what is already planned or under construction. Adherence to the City’s Municipal Code requirements in Chapters 8.96 and 13.04, as well as the Proposed General Plan policies, such as Policy LU-2.1, which would ensure adequate service provision for new development, would reduce wastewater generation rates over time, and therefore impacts associated with the sewer collection and treatment systems would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.19-1 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.19-1 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.19-2: The wastewater treatment provider would have adequate capacity to serve the proposed project’s projected demand in addition to the provider’s existing commitments. [Threshold U-3]
As described in Impact 5.19-1, the Regional WRF, which serves the majority of the City, is currently permitted to treat up to 8 mgd, and upon completion of the expansion project, scheduled for completion in 2026, would 1 Permitted Capacity minus Average Daily Wastewater Flow = Residual Capacity; 12 mgd – 6 mgd = 6 mgd for Regional WRF. 2 Permitted Capacity minus Average Daily Wastewater Flow = Residual Capacity; 5 mgd – 2.9 mgd = 2.1 mgd for Santa Rosa WRF. 704

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be able to treat up to 12 mgd. The residual capacity for the Regional WRF at project buildout would be 6.0 mgd (EVMWD 2021a). The increase in wastewater demand from 2020 to 2045 is estimated to be 2.1 mgd, as shown in Table 5.19-1, which would result in an estimated total amount of wastewater discharged from the City of

4.5 mgd in 2045.3 The Santa Rosa WRF would continue to serve the southern portion of the City, south of Clinton Keith Road, which has an additional average daily capacity of 5 mgd for its entire service area and a residual capacity of approximately 2.1 mgd (EVMWD 2016b). Wildomar currently discharges on average 0.8 mgd to the Santa Rosa WRF.

New development from implementation of the Proposed General Plan would be required to comply with the latest CALGreen and California Plumbing codes and implement active and passive water conservation measures. This would reduce wastewater discharge rates below what was calculated in Table 5.19-1.

Furthermore, potential future development pursuant to the Proposed General Plan would undergo City review and be required to comply with the Proposed General Plan policies, such as Policy LU-3.2, which would ensure adequate provision of public services.

With continued compliance with applicable regulations, wastewater generated by the Proposed General Plan would not exceed the capacity of the Regional WRF or Santa Rosa WRF once the expansion project is completed. Also, the Proposed General Plan policies would ensure that potential future development would minimize impacts to wastewater collection and treatment capacity. For example, Policy CI-8.1, ensures sewer services meet resident needs reliably and support the City’s growth through collaboration between the City and EVMWD. Therefore, implementation of the Proposed General Plan would not result in a determination by the wastewater treatment providers that there is insufficient capacity to serve the City’s future wastewater demands in addition to the demands of existing and future development within the wastewater providers service areas. Therefore, the impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.19-2 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.19-2 would be less than significant.

5.19.1.6 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
The area considered for cumulative impacts to wastewater facilities is the EVMWD service area. Cumulative population increases and development within the service area would increase the overall regional demand for wastewater treatment service. The Regional WRF is designed to treat an 8 mgd average flow and 16 mgd peak flow but is expected to expand its treatment capacity to 12 mgd by 2026. Additionally, the Santa Rosa WRF is permitted to treat 5 mgd.
3 Wastewater Flows from Proposed General Plan Buildout plus Average Daily Flow to WRF = Total Estimated Wastewater Generation; 2.1 mgd + 2.5 mgd = 4.5 mgd (due to rounding). 705

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Wastewater infrastructure would be expanded with the implementation of the Proposed General Plan. Future expansion or upgrades to the wastewater collection system and WRFs are addressed through EVMWD and RCWD’s Sewer Master Plans and CIPs, which address deficiencies and constraints identified in the existing system and designed to accommodate future growth. Improvements are funded through EVMWD’s sewer connection fees and monthly service charges. Additionally, wastewater from the EVMWD service area that is processed through the Regional WRF and Santa Rosa WRF would meet established standards required by the Santa Ana and San Diego RWQCBs through the NPDES permit process.

Therefore, with continued compliance with applicable regulations, cumulative development would not exceed wastewater collection or treatment capacities. Accordingly, the Proposed General Plan would not result in a cumulatively considerable impact related to wastewater, and cumulative impacts would be less than significant.

5.19.2 Water Supply and Distribution Systems

5.19.2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Background
Federal Regulations
Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
The Safe Drinking Water Act, the principal federal law intended to ensure safe drinking water to the public, was enacted in 1974 and has been amended several times since it became law. The Act authorizes the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set national standards for drinking water, called the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations, to protect against both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants.

These standards set enforceable maximum contaminant levels in drinking water and require all water providers in the United States to treat water to remove contaminants, except for private wells serving fewer than 25 people. In California, the SWRCB conducts most enforcement activities. If a water system does not meet standards, it is the water supplier’s responsibility to notify its customers.

America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018
America's Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA), signed into law on October 23, 2018, authorizes federal funding for water infrastructure projects, expands water storage capabilities, assists local communities in complying with the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act, reduces flooding risks for rural, western, and coastal communities, and addresses significant water infrastructure needs in tribal communities (USEPA 2023).

Additionally, the AWIA requires that drinking water systems that serve more than 3,300 people develop or update risk assessments and emergency response plans. Risk assessments and emergency response plans must be certified by the EPA within the deadline specified by the AWIA.

State Regulations
Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act
The Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, which was passed in California in 1969 and amended in 2013, is the basic water quality control law for California. Under this Act, the SWRCB has authority over State water 706

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rights and water quality policy. This Act divided the state into nine regional basins, each under the jurisdiction of an RWQCB to oversee water quality on a day-to-day basis at the local and regional level. RWQCBs engage in a number of water quality functions in their respective regions. RWQCBs regulate all pollutant or nuisance discharges that may affect either surface water or groundwater. Although the City of Wildomar lies within the boundaries of two RWQCBs (Santa Ana RWQCB and San Diego RWQCB), the San Diego RWQCB (Region 9) has primary jurisdiction for monitoring and inspecting drinking water systems and enforcing regulations regarding water quality in Riverside County and the City of Wildomar.

SWRCB Division of Drinking Water
The California Division of Drinking Water regulates public water systems within California; oversees water recycling projects; permits water treatment devices; and supports and promotes water system security. The Division of Financial Assistance provides funding opportunities for drinking water system improvements; provides support for small water systems and for improving technical, managerial, and financial capacity; and certifies drinking water treatment and distribution operators. The Field Operations Branch of the Division of Drinking Water is responsible for the enforcement of the federal and California Safe Drinking Water Acts and the regulatory oversight of approximately 7,500 public water systems to ensure the delivery of safe drinking water to all Californians. In this capacity, Field Operations Branch staff perform field inspections, issue operating permits, review plans and specifications for new facilities, take enforcement actions for noncompliance with laws and regulations, review water quality monitoring results, and support and promote water system security.

Urban Water Management Planning Act (Senate Bills 610 and 221) The California Urban Water Management Planning Act and Section 10620 of the Water Code require that all urban water suppliers in California that provide water to more than 3,000 customers or supply more than 3,000 acre-feet per year (afy)4 prepare and adopt an Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) and update it every five years. The act is intended to support efficient use of urban water supplies. It requires the UWMP to compare water supply and demand over the next 20 years for normal years, single dry years, and multiple dry years and to determine current and potential recycled water uses.

Senate Bill (SB) 610 and SB 221 were enacted to 1) ensure better coordination between local water supply and land use decisions and 2) confirm that there is an adequate water supply for new development. The following projects that are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) are required at a minimum to prepare a Water Supply Assessment (WSA):
 Residential developments consisting of more than 500 dwelling units.  Shopping centers or business establishments employing more than 1,000 persons or having more than 500,000 square feet of floor space.
4 One acre-foot is the amount of water required to cover one acre of ground (43,560 square feet) to a depth of one foot. 707

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 Commercial office building employing more than 1,000 persons or having more than 250,000 square feet of floor space.
 Hotel or motel, or both, having more than 500 rooms.
 Industrial, manufacturing, or processing plant or industrial park planned to employ more than 1,000 persons, occupying more than 40 acres of land, or having more than 650,000 square feet of floor area.  Mixed-use project that includes one or more of the projects specified above.  Project that would demand an amount of water equivalent to, or greater than, the amount of water required for 500 dwelling units.

SB 221 requires written verification that there is sufficient water supply available for new residential subdivisions that include over 500 dwelling units. The verification must be provided before commencement of construction for the project.

Mandatory Water Conservation
Following the declaration of a state of emergency on July 15, 2014, due to drought conditions, the SWRCB adopted Resolution No. 2014-0038 for emergency regulation of Statewide water conservation efforts. These regulations, which went into effect on August 1, 2014, were intended to reduce outdoor urban water use and persuade all California households to voluntarily reduce their water consumption by 20 percent. Water companies with 3,000 or more service connections were required to report monthly water consumption to the SWRCB. The SWRCB readopted the regulations several times, most recently requiring local water agencies to implement Level 2 drought contingency plans. In March 2023, Governor Newsom announced the lifting of some of the drought restrictions following a wet winter, including the Level 2 demand reduction actions.

However, there are portions of the water conservation emergency regulations that remain in effect. These include prohibiting the following wasteful water use practices: 1) the application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excess runoff; 2) the washing of vehicles without an automatic shut-off nozzle; 3) the application of potable water to driveways and sidewalks; 4) the use of potable water in nonrecirculating ornamental fountains; and 5) the application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after at least 0.25 inch of rainfall. In addition, watering decorative grass in commercial, industrial, and institutional areas, including common areas of homeowners’ associations is currently prohibited but this restriction may be lifted in the future. Urban water suppliers are still required to submit monthly water monitoring reports to the SWRCB.

The Water Conservation Act of 2009 (Senate Bill X7-7)
The Water Conservation Act of 2009, SB X7-7, requires all water suppliers to increase water use efficiency. The legislation sets an overall goal of reducing per capita water use by 20 percent by 2020, with an interim goal of a 10 percent reduction in per capita water use by 2015. Effective in 2016, urban retail water suppliers who do not meet the water conservation requirements established by this bill are not eligible for state water grants or loans. The SB X7-7 requires that urban water retail suppliers determine baseline water use and set reduction 708

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targets according to specified standards. Each water purveyor is required under this regulation to report compliance with the SB X7-7 goals in their current and future UWMPs. 2018 Water Conservation Legislation
In 2018, the California Legislature enacted two policy bills (SB 606 and AB 1668) to establish long-term improvements in water conservation and drought planning to adapt to climate change and longer and more intense droughts in California. The Department of Water Resources and the SWRCB set new standards for indoor water use and are in the process of setting standards for outdoor residential water use; commercial, industrial, and institutional water use for landscape irrigation with dedicated meters, and water loss.:

Urban water suppliers are required to stay within annual water budgets based on their standards for their service areas, and to calculate and report their urban water use objectives in an annual water use report. Based on recent legislation (SB 1157), the California Water Code defines a 55-gallon-per-person daily standard for indoor residential use until 2025, at which time it decreases to 47 gallons, and further decreases to 42 gallons by 2030.

The legislation also includes changes to UWMP preparation requirements. These changes include additional requirements for Water Shortage Contingency Plans (WSCP), expansion of dry year supply reliability assessments to a five-year drought period, establishment of annual drought risk assessment procedures and reporting, and new conservation targets referred to “annual water use objectives,” which require retailers to continue to reduce water use beyond the 2020 SB X7-7 targets.

Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (AB 1881) The Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (AB 1881) required the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to update the State of California’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). Under AB 1881, cities and counties are required to adopt the State’s MWELO or to adopt a different ordinance that is at least as effective in conserving water as the State’s MWELO.

The MWELO was revised in July 2015 via Executive Order B-29-15 to address the ongoing drought and to build resiliency for future droughts. The 2015 revisions to the MWELO increased water efficiency standards for new and retrofitted landscapes through more efficient irrigation systems, greywater usage, and on-site stormwater capture and by limiting the portion of landscapes that can be covered in turf. Each city and county are required to submit annual reports to DWR that document how the agency is achieving compliance with the State MWELO and how many projects were subject to the ordinance during the annual reporting period.

Chapter 17.276, Water-Efficient Landscapes, of the City of Wildomar’s Municipal Code adopts an ordinance that incorporates updates consistent with the 2015 State MWELO update.

California Water Code
The California Water Code states that the water resources of the State must be put to beneficial use and that waste or unreasonable use of water should be prevented. The code is divided into several sections that include provisions regarding water quality, formation of irrigation districts and water districts, safe drinking water, and water supply and infrastructure improvements.
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California Health and Safety Code
A portion of the State Health and Safety Code is dedicated to water issues, including testing and maintenance of backflow prevention devices, coloring of pipes carrying recycled water, and programs addressing crossconnection control by water users.

California Building Code: CALGreen
The California Building Standards Commission adopted the nation’s first green building standards in July 2008, the California Green Building Standards Code, also known as CALGreen. CALGreen applies to the planning, design, operation, construction, use, and occupancy of every newly constructed building or structure in California. The code establishes planning and design standards for sustainable site development, including water efficiency and water conservation measures that typically reduce water consumption by 20 percent. CALGreen is updated every three years to allow for consideration and possible incorporation of new low flow plumbing fixtures and water efficient appliances. The mandatory provisions of CALGreen became effective January 1, 2011, and the latest version, the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code, became effective on January 1, 2023. The building efficiency standards are enforced through the local building permit process. The City has regularly adopted each new CALGreen update under the Wildomar Municipal Code, Chapter 15.20, Green Building Code.

California Plumbing Code
The latest version of the California Plumbing Code was issued in 2022 and became effective as of January 1, 2023. The Plumbing Code is updated on a three-year cycle. It specifies technical standards for the design, materials, workmanship, and maintenance of plumbing systems. One of the purposes of the plumbing code is to prevent conflicting plumbing codes within local jurisdictions. Among many topics covered in the code are water fixtures, potable and non-potable water systems, and recycled water systems. The City adopts the California Plumbing Code under Wildomar Municipal Code Chapter 15.32.010, Adoption of Plumbing Code.

Sustainable Groundwater Management Act of 2014
On September 16, 2014, a three-bill legislative package was signed into law collectively known as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The Governor’s signing message states “a central feature of these bills is the recognition that groundwater management in California is best accomplished locally.” Under the roadmap laid out by the legislation, local and regional authorities in medium and high priority groundwater basins must form groundwater sustainability agencies (GSA) that oversee the preparation and implementation of groundwater sustainability plans (GSP).

The City of Wildomar is within two subbasins, the Elsinore Valley Subbasin and the Temecula Valley Subbasin.

The Elsinore Valley Subbasin is a medium priority basin and is regulated under SGMA (SGMA 2023). The Temecula Valley Subbasin is designated as a very low priority basin and therefore is not regulated under SGMA (SGMA 2023).
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Local Regulations
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District - Water System Master Plan EVMWD is currently updating its Water System Master Plan (Water Master Plan) which will include updated water duty factors, an assessment of the current water infrastructure and recommendations for future water system improvements.

The purpose of the Water Master Plan is to evaluate the water supply infrastructure and provide cost-effective and fiscally responsible water services that meet the water quantity, water quality, system pressure, and reliability requirements of its customers. The revised document will evaluate current facility deficiencies and improvements needed over a 25-year planning period. The report will also provide details of a CIP for the water system, including project prioritization and construction cost estimates. The revised Water Master Plan will supersede the current 2016 Water System Master Plan (EVMWD 2016c) and will be completed in the summer of 2024.

EVMWD 2016 Recycled Water System Master Plan
EVMWD’s recycled water system is divided into four recycled water service areas: Wildomar service area, Railroad Canyon service area, Horsethief service area, and Regional service area. The plan gives an overview of each service area and evaluates the available recycled water supply for each area. The plan also provides recommended capital improvement projects that would allow the EVMWD to provide the facilities necessary to expand the service areas and meet future recycled water demands (EVMWD 2016a).

The Wildomar service area has a three-agency agreement between EVMWD, EMWD, and RCWD for their recycled water supply. EVMWD is allocated the same amount of recycled water from RCWD as wastewater discharged to the Santa Rosa WRF (EVMWD 2016a). Therefore, the contractual amount of flow available to EVMWD and Wildomar changes each fiscal year based on the average daily wastewater flows to the RCWD system. EVMWD projects to increase its sewer discharge to the Santa Rosa WRF and will therefore increase its recycled water supply from RCWD (EVMWD 2016a).

EVMWD 2020 Urban Water Management Plan
The EVMWD 2020 UWMP describes water demands, water supply sources, and supply reliability for its service area in five-year increments for normal years, single dry years, and multiple dry years. The UWMP also provides water supply contingency planning in case of shortage emergencies, demand management measures to increase water use efficiency, and current and planned water conservation efforts. The UWMP states that there will be sufficient supplies to meet existing and future demands through 2045 for normal years, single-dry years and multiple-dry years. Additional details are provided in the Existing Conditions setting.

The Water Conservation Act of 2009, also known as SBX7-7, requires that urban water suppliers reduce per capita water use by 20 percent by 2020. As reported in the UWMP, EVMWD met this goal in 2020 with a per capita water demand of 129 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) as compared to the target goal of 188.6 gpcd (EVMWD 2021a).
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2021 Elsinore Valley Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan As a requirement of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, high and medium priority basins must create and implement groundwater sustainability plans. Because the Elsinore Valley Subbasin is designated as a medium priority basin, a GSP was prepared in 2022 and was approved by the Department of Water Resources in October 2023. The EVMWD is the sole GSA for this basin. The GSP identifies sustainability goals for the groundwater basin as well as projects and management actions to achieve these goals. Some of the specific project management actions for the Elsinore Valley Subbasin include groundwater well replacement managed groundwater pumping with recharge (EVMWD 2021b).

EVMWD 2021 Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP)
EVMWD has prepared a WSCP that would be implemented in the event of water shortages. The WSCP provides the steps and water shortage response actions to be taken during a drought conditions or supply interruptions. The WSCP also describes EVMWD’s procedures for conducting an Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment that is required by the California Water Code and is submitted to DWR on or before July 1 of each year.

EVMWD Design Standards
EVMWD provides standards for the design, materials, and construction procedures for improvements to the potable water, recycled water, and sewerage systems of EVMWD (EVMWD 2017). These standards apply to all work performed by developers, engineers, contractors, and individuals within EVMWD’s service area. The document includes construction plan requirements, plan review, compliance with laws and regulations, and standard drawings for the design of potable water and recycled water facilities.

City of Wildomar Municipal Code
The City of Wildomar Municipal Code includes various directives that pertain to water. The Municipal Code is organized by title, chapter, and section. Most provisions are found in Title 13, Public Services, Title 15, Building and Construction, and Title 17, Zoning.
 Chapter 13.20, Water Wells, establishes well construction and abandonment standards to protect groundwater resources and provide safe drinking water to the City.  Chapter 15.20, Green Building Code, adopts the 2022 Green Building Code by reference (CALGreen), which includes water efficiency and water conservation measures to reduce water consumption.  Chapter 17.276, Water-Efficient Landscapes, establishes water efficient landscape regulations in the City to ensure that landscapes are planned, designed, installed, maintained, and managed in a manner that uses water efficiently, encourages water conservation, and prevents water waste.

5.19.2.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Two water purveyors serve the City of Wildomar—EVMWD and the Farm Mutual Water Company. The primary water purveyor for the City of Wildomar is EVMWD, which provides potable water and recycled water to its customers. EVMWD is also involved in water supply development, water planning, wastewater treatment 712

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and disposal. EVMWD is a Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) member agency and Western Municipal Water District (WMWD) subagency. EVMWD’s service area encompasses approximately 96 square miles in the Elsinore Valley area. Located in southwestern Riverside County and eastern Orange County, EVMWD provides water services to its Elsinore and Temescal Divisions, which are comprised of the cities of Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake, large portions of Wildomar and Murrieta, and unincorporated portions of Riverside County and Orange County (EVMWD 2021a). The City of Wildomar is within EVMWD’s Elsinore Division.

The Farm Mutual Water Company (FMWC) is the other water purveyor that serves the Farm community within the northeastern portion of the City. FMWC’s service area is surrounded by the much larger EVMWD service area (EVMWD 2021a). FMWC has 1,220 residential service connections and purchases water from EVMWD.

FMWC also extracts groundwater from one municipal well within its service area (SWRCB 2023a). In 2020, FMWC purchased 333 acre-feet of water from EVMWD, but this quantity is expected to increase to 1,464 afy by 2045 with planned development within FMWC’s service area (EVMWD 2021a). FMWC has fewer than 3,000 service connections and therefore does not have to prepare a UWMP. On average, EVMWD sells about

1.3 percent of its water to FMWC.

Many of the areas in the southwestern portion of the City and in the central area of the City east of I-15 are zoned rural residential and are not connected to EVMWD’s water distribution system. The residences in these areas rely on private groundwater wells for their water supply. There are minor zoning changes under the Proposed General Plan that would convert potions of the rural residential land uses to low density residential.

Therefore, areas adjacent to EVMWD’s service area may eventually be incorporated into EVMWD’s service area and be connected to EVMWD’s water distribution network. EVMWD has accounted for the potential increase in water demand in these areas in the 2020 UWMP.

Water Distribution System
The EVMWD water distribution system encompasses 96 square miles and includes Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, and portions of Murrieta and unincorporated Riverside County (EVMWD 2016c). The potable water system includes approximately 685 miles of pipelines, ranging from 4 to 42 inches in diameter; 74 storage reservoirs; 49 booster pump stations; and 12 groundwater wells (EVMWD 2016c). The storage reservoirs have a total storage capacity of 93 million gallons. Several reservoirs, groundwater wells, and booster stations are in Wildomar.

Water Supply Sources
EVMWD has three primary sources of potable water supply:
 Local groundwater pumped from District-owned wells. Between 2016 and 2020, groundwater accounted for an average of 22 percent of EVMWD’s total supply (EVMWD 2021b).  Surface water from Canyon Lake Reservoir that is treated at the Canyon Lake Water Treatment Plant.

Between 2016 and 2020, surface water accounted for less than 10 percent of the total supply (EVMWD 2021b).
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 Imported water purchased from MWD through WMWD, which accounts for the majority of EVMWD’s water supply.

EVMWD purchases water from WMWD from two different sources. One source of the water purchased from WMWD is treated at MWD’s Skinner Filtration Plant, which blends primarily Colorado River water and a small amount of State Water Project (SWP) Water. The other source of water EVMWD receives from WMWD is imported from the Temescal Valley Pipeline (TVP). The TVP delivers SWP treated at MWD’s Mills Filtration Plant (EVMWD 2021a).

In addition, EVMWD has access to several additional water sources through its acquisition of the Temescal Water Company assets in 1989. These consist of groundwater from the Bunker Hill, Rialto-Colton, Riverside North, Bedford, Coldwater, and Lee Lake Basins, and surface water from Temescal Creek and several tributary creeks.

Recycled Water Network
EVMWD has a recycled water network that delivers non-potable recycled water to customers in four different service areas. Three of the service areas are supplied by EVMWD-owned WRFs, and one recycled water service area is supplied from the Santa Rosa WRF owned by RCWD. In the Wildomar service area, there are approximately 9.5 miles of recycled water pipelines, but no recycled water pumps or recycled water reservoirs (EVMWD 2016a). As previously stated, EVMWD is allocated the same amount of recycled water from RCWD as wastewater discharged to the Santa Rosa WRF (EVMWD 2016a). Therefore, the contractual amount of flow available to EVMWD and Wildomar changes each fiscal year based on the average daily wastewater flows to the RCWD system. In 2016, the City received an average flow of 0.8 mgd, with a peak supply of 1.54 mgd (EVMWD 2016a). The City’s recycled water is conveyed from the Santa Rosa WRF via the EMWD-owned 48-inch Temecula Valley Recycled Water Pipeline. The largest customer of recycled water in the Wildomar service area is the Summerly Golf Course (EVMWD 2016a).

Water Supply Reliability
Table 5.19-2, EVMWD Supply and Demand Comparison, and Table 5.19-3, EVMWD Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison, show a comparison between supply and demand for years 2025 to 2045 for normal years, single dry year, and multiple dry years. As shown in these tables, there will be a surplus of water available to serve existing and future customers during normal, single-dry years, and multiple-dry years (EVMWD 2021a).

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Table 5.19-2 EVMWD Supply and Demand Comparison
afy
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
Normal Year
Supply totals 47,218 51,675 53,261 54,298 55,328
Demand totals 38,932 41,994 45,313 48,085 50,967
Difference 8,286 9,681 7,948 6,213 4,361
Single Dry Year
Supply totals 44,896 49,353 50,939 51,976 53,006
Demand totals 38,932 41,994 45,313 48,085 50,967
Difference 5,964 7,359 5,626 3,891 2,039
Source: EVMWD 2021a, 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, Tables 7-4 and 7-6. afy = acre-feet per year
Table 5.19-3 EVMWD Multiple Dry Year Supply and Demand Comparison afy
2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
First Year
Supply
totals
44,896 49,353 50,939 51,976 53,006
Demand
totals
38,932 41,994 45,313 48,085 50,967
Difference 5,964 7,359 5,626 3,891 2,039
Second Year
Supply
totals 49,350 50,107 51,693 52,730 53,760
Demand
totals
38,932 41,994 45,313 48,085 50,967
Difference 10,418 8,113 6,380 4,645 2,793
Third Year
Supply
totals 49,585 50,342 51,928 52,965 53,995
Demand
totals
38,932 41,994 45,313 48,085 50,967
Difference 10,653 8,348 6,615 4,880 3,028
Fourth Year
Supply
totals 50,382 51,139 52,725 53,762 54,792
Demand
totals
38,932 41,994 45,313 48,085 50,967
Difference 11,450 9,145 7,412 5,667 3,825
Fifth Year
Supply
totals 49,227 49,983 51,569 52,606 53,636
Demand
totals
38,932 41,994 45,313 48,085 50,967
Difference 10,294 7,989 9,256 4,521 2,669
Source: EVMWD 2021a, 2020 Urban Water Management Plan, Table 7-8. afy = acre-feet per year
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5.19.2.3 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

U-1 Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects.

U-2 Have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry, and multiple dry years.

5.19.2.4 PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES
Land Use Element
GOAL LU 2 Development Capacity: Responsible growth through well-planned development provides for the needs of Wildomar’s residents and businesses, makes efficient use of land and infrastructure, protects important environmental resources, promotes the health of the community, and maintains the unique character distinguishing the City as a special place in the region.  Policy LU-2.1 Adequate Service Provision for New Development. Coordinate with local agencies, service providers and utilities to ensure adequate service provision for new development.

GOAL LU 3 Focus Areas: Unique areas of the City are enhanced to meet residents’ needs.  Policy LU-3.1 Cottonwood Canyon. Encourage lot mergers consistent with the land use and zoning designations for this area to establish developable lots that meet minimum thresholds for health and safety of onsite water treatment or require new development to provide for the extension or development of full public sewerage and water services.
 Policy LU-3.2 Sedco. Work with utility providers to improve infrastructure in the Sedco area and explore opportunities to expand the provision of public services. Explore opportunities to ensure current residents, including renters, benefit from investments in infrastructure improvements.

GOAL LU 12 Public Facilities: Governmental, utility, institutional, educational, recreational, cultural, religious, and social facilities and services are located and designed to complement Wildomar’s neighborhoods, centers, and corridors.
 Policy LU-12.4 Maintenance and Enhancement. Coordinate, partner with, and encourage school and utility districts and other government and independent agencies that may be exempt from City land use control to plan and improve their properties and design improvements to achieve a high level of visual and architectural quality that maintains the character of the neighborhood or district in which they are located. 716

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 Policy LU-12.5 Design of Utility Facilities. Minimize the visual impacts of above-grade utility structures, such as water storage tanks, water check valves, electric and telephone boxes, etc. through use of landscaping, screening materials, and colors that blend with the environment to the extent feasible.  Policy LU-12.6 Equitable Access. Support equitable access to a full complement of critical infrastructure and utilities for all residents and businesses.

Circulation Element
GOAL CI 8: A robust network of infrastructure and utility systems supports the City’s growth.  Policy CI-8.1: Collaborate with Utilities and Service Providers. Work with utilities and service providers for water, wastewater, energy, and solid waste, including, but not limited to, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), CR&R, Southern California Edison (SCE) and SoCalGas, to ensure that services and facilities meet resident needs reliably and support the City’s growth.

Open Space and Conservation Element
GOAL OS 3: Reliable and safe water supply that supports Wildomar’s current and future needs.  Policy OS-3.1 Collaboration with EVMWD. Collaborate with the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD) to conserve and protect water quality and supply and continue to provide assistance for urban water management plans.
 Policy OS-3.3 Water Conservation Strategies. Encourage water conserving site design and the use of water conserving fixtures in new development, and advocate for the adoption and implementation of water conservation strategies by water service agencies.
 Policy OS-3.4 Water Conservation in Existing Development. Encourage existing development to use water-conserving mechanisms such as stormwater capture systems, graywater systems, water-efficient appliances, and drought-tolerant landscape planting.
 Policy OS-3.5 Recycled Water. Continue to coordinate with and support EVMWD on opportunities to expand the recycled water system in the City.

5.19.2.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement.

Impact 5.19-3: The proposed project would have sufficient water supplies available to serve the project and reasonably foreseeable future development during normal, dry, and multiple-dry years. [Threshold U-2]
Buildout of the Proposed General Plan would result in an increase in water demand with the addition of 8,992 dwelling units and 2,965,538 new square feet of non-residential land use. The projected increase in water 717

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demand for the Proposed General Plan is provided in Table 5.19-4, Water Demand Increase: Proposed Project. The water duty factors used in the assessment were provided by EVMWD and are from their revised Water Master Plan, which is currently in production. For both residential and non-residential development, a weighted average water duty factor was determined based on the fraction of each land use in comparison to the total buildout.

Table 5.19-4 Water Demand Increase: Proposed Project
Category Increase Due to Proposed Project
Water Duty
Factor (Weighted Avg)
Water Demand
(gallons per day)
Dwelling Units 8,992 du 448 gpd/du 1 4,028,416
Nonresidential Development 2,965,538 square feet
68 acres 1,498 gpd/acre 2 101,983
Total
4,130,399

4.1 mgd
4,627 afy
Notes: gpd – gallons per day; du – dwelling unit; mgd – millions of gallons per day; afy – acre-feet per year 1 The residential water duty factor is based on revised factors provided by EVMWD; Single Family Residential 500 gpd/du and Multi-Family Residential 300 gpd/du.

Approximately 74 percent of the new dwelling units from the Proposed General Plan are projected to be Single Family Residential. Therefore, the weighted average generation factor for the combination of single and multi-family residential is 0.74*500 + 0.26*300 = 448 gpd/du. 2 The non-residential wastewater generation factor is based on revised factors provided by EVMWD. A weighted average of wastewater generation factors and the fraction of land use square footages was determined for the following land uses: Commercial, Business Park, Industrial, Public Facility, Open Space, and Mixed Use.

The increase in water demand with buildout of the Proposed General Plan is estimated to be approximately

4.1 mgd or 4,627 afy. According to the Water Master Plan, EVMWD provided 23,653 afy in 2020 for their entire service area (EVMWD 2016c). As the current population of Wildomar is approximately 23 percent of the total population of the EVMWD’s service area, then approximately 5,384 afy of the existing water demand can be attributed to customers in Wildomar (EVMWD 2021a). Therefore, the estimated total water demand from the City in 2045 with the Proposed General Plan buildout is estimated to be 10,011 afy (existing demand of 5,384 afy plus additional demand of 4,626 afy).
5 The total projected water demand in 2045 for the EVMWD service area is estimated to be 40,170 afy (EVMWD 2021a). When compared to the total water demand for the Proposed General Plan, the City of Wildomar at full buildout would account for approximately 25 percent of the EVMWD’s projected demand for 2045. This growth in population and future water demand is in alignment with projected population growth from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for the City of Wildomar as compared to other cities in the EVMWD service area (SCAG 2020). For instance, SCAG projects the population of Wildomar to increase by 56 percent between 2016 and 2045, whereas Canyon Lake and Murrieta are projected to only increase by 6 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

Additionally, new construction would be required to comply with the water efficient requirements of CALGreen, California Plumbing Code, and the City’s MWELO. New construction for both residential and commercial land uses typically achieve a reduction in water usage rates of 20 percent through compliance with these regulations. This analysis conservatively assumes that the water demand rates for new construction would 5 Existing Water Demand plus Water Demand from Proposed General Plan = Total Water Demand; 5,384 afy + 4,626 afy = 10,011 afy.
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be similar to existing water demand rates provided in the EVMWD’s Water Master Plan. Additionally, no credit for the increased use of recycled water for open space and landscaping irrigation was considered in the water demand calculations provided in Table 5.19-4; the use of recycled water would further reduce water demands.

As documented in Tables 5.19-2 and 5.19-3, EVMWD can meet all customers’ demands during normal year, single dry year, and multiple dry year conditions with excess water available. In addition, EVMWD will continue to implement and expand its water conservation program, which includes water efficiency rebates to residential and commercial customers, water waste prevention ordinances, conservation pricing, and public education and outreach.

Furthermore, future development pursuant to the Proposed General Plan would be required to comply with the Proposed General Plan policies. For example, Policy OS-3.1, would lead to water conservation and protection of water supply through the City’s collaboration and assistance for EVMWD’s UWMP updates.

Also, new development would be required to implement the water efficient requirements specified in the CALGreen and California Plumbing Codes and the MWELO requirements for water efficient landscaping.

Future projects under the Proposed General Plan that meet the criteria under California Water Code Section 10912 would be required to prepare a WSA that demonstrates that project water demands would not exceed water supplies. In addition, residential, commercial, and industrial water usage can be expected to decrease in the future as a result of the implementation of the 2018 Water Conservation Legislation that sets new standards for indoor and outdoor residential water use, commercial water use for landscape irrigation with dedicated meters, and water loss standards. Therefore, impacts to water supplies would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.19-3 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.19-3 would be less than significant.

Impact 5.19-4: The proposed project would not require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded water facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects. [Threshold U-1]
Implementation of the Proposed General Plan would have a significant impact if it would result in the construction of new water treatment facilities or the expansion of existing facilities that would have a significant effect on the environment. Buildout of the Proposed General Plan would result in an increase in water demand throughout the City due to increases in population and employment.

As described in Impact 5.19-3, EVMWD has sufficient water supplies available under normal, single-dry, and multi-dry year conditions. In the event that EVMWD projects their future demand could exceed supplies, EVMWD would implement their WSCP which provides water conservation procedures as a result of a drought or supply interruption. Additionally, the total projected water demand of 10,011 afy for the City of Wildomar 719

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in 2045 is approximately 25 percent the total projected water demand for the EVMWD service population in 2045 of 40,170 afy. Therefore, the Proposed General Plan would not significantly impact water supplies.

Future development from implementation of the Proposed General Plan could result in new and expanded water infrastructure. However, EVMWD plans to expand and upgrade their distribution systems to accommodate potential future development, which are addressed throughout their CIP as described with each revision of their Water Master Plan. Planned improvements include continued groundwater well replacement and rehabilitation, increasing the imported water capacity in the Mills Gravity Pipeline, and the replacement of 5,100 linear feet of an existing water main between the Tomlin 1 Pump Station and the Tomlin 1 Reservoir (EVMWD 2024b). Currently, EVMWD purchases the majority of its water supply from MWD, with less than 10 percent received from the Canyon Lake Water Treatment Plant. Because EVMWD’s 2045 water supply is projected to meet the water demand with implementation of the Proposed General Plan, the proposed project would not require the expansion of capacity or relocation of the Canyon Lake Water Treatment Plant, and impacts would be less than significant. In addition, each future development under the Proposed General Plan would be required to demonstrate the availability of water to serve the development in the form of will-serve letters from the water purveyors or for larger projects, preparation of a WSA as required by Section 10910 of the California Water Code. Therefore, implementation of the Proposed General Plan would not result in the need to construct additional water supply or distribution systems, nor would it need to relocate existing water treatment facilities.

In summary, new construction or expansion of the water distribution system due to implementation of the Proposed General Plan would not significantly impact water treatment facilities or EVMWD’s distribution system. EVMWD has capital improvement projects to monitor and upgrade its water distribution systems to accommodate future development, as described in its Water Master Plan. Compliance with the City’s requirements for new construction, water-efficient landscaping, and implementation of the Proposed General Plan policies, such as Policy OS-3.3, which encourages water serving fixtures in new development and advocate for the implementation of conservation strategies by water purveyors, and Policy OS-3.5, which supports EVMWD’s efforts to expand the recycled water system in the City, would result in less-than-significant impacts with respect to the need for new and/or expanded water facilities.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.19-4 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.19-4 would be less than significant.

5.19.2.6 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
The area considered for cumulative impacts to water supply services are the water purveyor’s service areas (EVMWD and FMWC). Existing and future development within the service areas would require additional quantities of water. EVMWD’s 2020 UWMP projects population within the service area will increase to 237,932 persons by the year 2045, and the total water demand is expected to increase from 23,653 afy in the year 2020 720

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to 40,170 afy in the year 2045. However, EVMWD, the primary water purveyor for the City, states that there will be a surplus of water available for all years up to 2045 during normal years, single-dry years, and multipledry years.

Other future projects within these service areas would result in increases in water demand. However, cumulative water demands are addressed through EVMWD’s UWMP and expansion and upgrades to water infrastructure are addressed through EVMWD’s CIP and Water Master Plan. All new development projects would be required to obtain will-serve letters from EVMWD. Projects that meet the SB 610 criteria, such as residential projects with more than 500 dwelling units, would be required to prepare WSAs. The City and EVMWD would review such projects for adequacy of water supply, and EVMWD is required to update the UWMP every five years to ensure that there are adequate water supplies and contingency plans for future residents and customers. All future development under the Proposed General Plan would require the implementation of water efficiency and water conservation measures, as per the CALGreen Code and the MWELO irrigation requirements.

All cumulative projects would require compliance with City or County ordinances, as well as local, State, and federal regulatory requirements. New construction projects and continuing conservation efforts would result in a reduction in per capita water use over time, which would ensure that cumulative impacts with respect to water supply would be less than significant.

5.19.3 Storm Drainage Systems

5.19.3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Background
The regulatory framework for stormwater is described in detail in Section 5.10, Hydrology and Water Quality, of this Draft EIR. The regulatory requirements that pertain solely to storm drain systems are repeated below.

Federal Regulations
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program was established by the Clean Water Act to regulate municipal and industrial discharges to surface waters of the United States from their municipal separate storm water systems (MS4s). Under the NPDES program, all facilities that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States are required to obtain an NPDES permit. Requirements for stormwater discharges are also regulated under this program.

The City of Wildomar is within the boundaries of two RWQCBs: the Santa Ana RWQCB (Region 8) and the San Diego RWQCB (Region 9). However, pursuant to California Water Code section 13228, the City of Wildomar submitted a written request that one RWQCB be designated to regulate their Phase I Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) discharges. The two RWQCBs entered an agreement in 2015 whereby the City of Wildomar would be regulated by the San Diego RWQCB, including those portions of the City that are within the boundaries of the Santa Ana RWQCB. Therefore, the City is subject to the waste discharge requirements for the MS4 Permit for the San Diego RWQCB (Order No. R9-2013-0001, as amended by Order 721

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Nos. R9-2015-0001 and R9-2015-0100, and NPDES Permit No. CAS0109266). However, any project that discharges stormwater from the northern portion of the City that flows into the Santa Ana River Watershed and ultimately into Lake Elsinore may be required to meet requirements issued by the Santa Ana RWQCB to ensure compliance with the Lake Elsinore-Canyon Lake TMDLs Under provisions listed in the MS4 Permit, the co-permittees use their planning authorities to include appropriate source control, site design, and stormwater treatment measures in new development and redevelopment projects to address both soluble and insoluble stormwater runoff pollutant discharges and prevent increases in runoff flows from new development and redevelopment projects. This goal is accomplished primarily through the implementation of low impact development techniques. In addition, all priority projects that do not meet exemption criteria must comply with the hydromodification requirements specified in the E.3.c.2 provisions of the MS4 permit. These requirements include implementing stormwater control measures such that post-project runoff must not exceed pre-project runoff by more than 10 percent for the two-year, 24-hour runoff event up to the 10-year, 24-hour runoff event.

State Regulations
SWRCB General Construction Permit
Construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land that could impact hydrologic resources must comply with the requirements of the SWRCB Construction General Permit (Order WQ 2022-0057-DWQ; NPDES No. CAS000002), which was adopted on September 8, 2022, and became effective on September 1, 2023. Under the terms of the permit, applicants must file Permit Registration Documents (PRD) with the SWRCB prior to the start of construction. The PRDs include a Notice of Intent, risk assessment, site map, SWPPP, annual fee, and a signed certification statement. The PRDs are submitted electronically to the SWRCB via the Stormwater Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS) website.

Applicants must also demonstrate conformance with applicable best management practices (BMPs) and prepare a SWPPP containing a site map that shows the construction site perimeter, existing and proposed buildings, lots, roadways, stormwater collection and discharge points, general topography both before and after construction, and drainage patterns across the project site. The SWPPP must list BMPs that would be implemented to prevent soil erosion and discharge of other construction-related pollutants that could contaminate nearby water resources. Additionally, the SWPPP must contain a weekly visual monitoring program and BMP inspections prior to, during, and after qualifying precipitation events. Water quality monitoring is also required with a schedule based on the risk level of the site.

SWRCB Industrial General Permit
The Statewide General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activities, Order No. 2014-0057-DWQ and amended by 2015-0122-DWQ (2018), implements the federally required stormwater regulations in California for stormwater associated with industrial activities that discharge to waters of the United States. This regulation covers facilities that are required by federal regulations or by the RWQCBs to obtain an NPDES permit. Dischargers are required to eliminate non-stormwater discharges, develop SWPPPs that include BMPs, conduct monitoring of stormwater runoff, and submit all compliance documents via the SWRCB’s SMARTS program.
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SWRCB Trash Amendment
On April 7, 2015, the SWRCB adopted an amendment to the Water Quality Control Plan for Ocean Waters of California to control trash. In addition, the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed Bays, and Estuaries of California added the section, Part 1 Trash Provisions. Together, they are collectively referred to as "the Trash Amendments". The purpose of the Trash Amendments is to provide statewide consistency for the RWQCBs in their regulatory approach to protect aquatic life, public health beneficial uses, and reduce environmental issues associated with trash in State waters, while focusing limited resources on high trash generating areas.

The Trash Amendments apply to all Phase I and II permittees under the NPDES MS4 permits. Compliance with the Trash Amendment requires municipalities to install certified full trash capture systems in all City applicable storm drain infrastructure no later than December 2, 2030 (SWRCB 2023b).

Regional Regulation
Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFCWCD) is the regional drainage authority for the western portion of Riverside County. The RCFCWCD was created to keep residents safe from flood hazards and enforces regulation pertaining to stormwater drainage and new development, floodplains, construction of flood control structures and facilities, flood warning and early detection, and maintenance and operation of completed structures (RCFCWCD 2023). The RCFCWCD publishes design standards for storm drains and related stormwater infrastructure throughout the County.

RCFCWCD Master Drainage Plans and Area Drainage Plans
The RCFCWCD addresses existing and future drainage needs within its watershed limits with Master Drainage Plans (MDP). The MDPs are prepared to resolve flooding issues within a community and provide cost estimates for improvements to channels, storm drains, levees, basins, dams, wetlands or any conveyance system capable of relieving flooding impacts (RCFCWCD 2023). Wildomar is within the following MDP areas: Wildomar Area, Sedco Area, and Murrieta Creek Area (RCFCWCD 2024).

The RCFCWCD creates area drainage plans (ADP) as a financial mechanism to offset taxpayer costs for proposed drainage facility improvements. These fees are imposed on new development within each plan area.

The ADP is similar to the MDP but with additional information to support costs and distribution of fees within the plan area. Wildomar is within the following ADP areas: Murrieta Creek/Wildomar Valley and Murrieta Creek/Murrieta Valley.

RCFCWCD Stormwater and Water Conservation Tracking Tool The RCFCWCD developed an online geodatabase to support stormwater management tracking for copermittees of the Regional MS4 permit (Riverside County 2024a). The Stormwater and Water Conservation Tracking Tool shows the locations of stormwater infrastructure throughout the County, including storm drains, detention and retention basins, dams, debris basins, levees, spreading grounds, areas exempt from hydromodification, proposed new facilities, and hydrological units and flood plain data. 723

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Riverside County LID BMP Handbooks
The RCFCWCD developed the Low-Impact Development (LID) BMP Handbook for Riverside County development projects (Riverside County 2024b). The LID BMP Handbook supplements information provided in the Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) prepared for each watershed within Riverside County.

Guidance for BMP selection, design and maintenance is provided in the LID BMP Handbook. Sizing calculation methodologies for the Santa Ana River and Santa Margarita River Watersheds are provided in the LID BMP Handbooks for capturing runoff generated from an 85th percentile, 24-hour storm event (RCFCWCD 2011; 2018).

San Diego RWQCB MS4 Permit
The City is subject to the waste discharge requirements of NPDES MS4 Permit No. CAS 0109266 (Order No.

R9-2013-0001, as amended by Order Nos. R9-2015-0001 and R9-2015-0100). The NPDES MS4 permit is intended to regulate the discharge of urban runoff to the MS4. Under the NPDES MS4 permit, the City is responsible for the management of storm drain systems within its jurisdiction. Cities are required to implement management programs, monitoring programs, implementation plans, and all applicable BMPs.

Local Regulations
City of Wildomar Municipal Code
The City of Wildomar Municipal Code includes various directives that pertain to stormwater. The Municipal Code is organized by title, chapter, and section. Most provisions are found in Title 13, Public Services, and Title 16, Flood Control and Drainage.
 Chapter 13.12, Stormwater Drainage System Protection, protects and enhances the water quality of City watercourses, water bodies, groundwater, and wetlands in a manner pursuant to and consistent with applicable requirements contained in applicable state and federal regulations.  Chapter 16.32, Flood Control and Drainage, describes fees for the construction of drainage facilities and establishes minimum design requirements and other regulatory procedures pertaining to flood control and tract drainage.

City of Wildomar Jurisdictional Runoff Management Program This programmatic document provides an overview of the runoff management programs and activities that have been implemented by the City to comply with the requirements of the Regional MS4 Permit. The main MS4 facilities owned and operated by the City and regulated under the Regional MS4 Permit consist of underground storm drains, open channels, and streets; there are additional MS4 facilities and discharges that may be present that are not owned by the City (Wildomar 2023a). The main receiving waters that are downstream of the City of Wildomar’s Jurisdiction include Lake Elsinore, Murrieta Creek, Santa Margarita River, and Santa Margarita Lagoon.
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City of Wildomar Master Drainage Plan
The 2019 Master Drainage Plan was developed to identify local flood control facilities that are required to meet the RCFCWCD flood control protection criteria (Wildomar 2019). The RCFCWCD flood control criteria state that stormwater runoff must be controlled for the 10-year storm event within street curbing and runoff and for the 100-year storm event within the street rights-of-way. The City was divided into four drainage regions:

Region A in the northern portion of the City; Region S (Sedco) in the northwestern (Sedco) portion of the City; Region W (Wildomar) in the central portion of the City; and Region M (Murietta) in the southern portion of the City. Each region was further divided into subregions. The maps in the Master Drainage Plan show the stormwater infrastructure for each region and subregion and identify existing RCFCWCD facilities and City maintained facilities. Stormwater flow rates were modeled to determine if the existing infrastructure meets the RCFCWCD storm drain facility criteria and costs to expand and upgrade storm drains or channels in each subregion are included in the report. The Master Drainage Plan also addresses financing sources for the storm drain improvements. The plan acts as an implementation guide for the City and future developers.

City of Wildomar WQMP Template
The City provides a WQMP template for preparing project-specific WQMPs for priority development projects in Wildomar (Wildomar 2024). The WQMP template is a step-by-step guide to ensure priority development projects meet the Regional MS4 Permit requirements in the Santa Margarita River Watershed. The WQMP template includes site plans, hydromodification requirements, identification of receiving water bodies and designated beneficial uses, additional permits/approvals needed for the project, and LID BMP information.

Section G of the WQMP template includes a methodology for implementing Trash Capture BMPs.

5.19.3.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
The City’s stormwater infrastructure consists of a combination of drainage channels, storm drains, detention and debris basins and creeks (Wildomar 2023a). The northwest portion of the City lies within the Santa Ana River watershed, with runoff flowing westerly towards the City of Lake Elsinore and Lake Elsinore. The majority of the City is within the Santa Margarita watershed, with runoff flowing to Murrieta Channel/Creek and then ultimately to the Santa Margarita River and the Pacific Ocean. The latest drainage master plan for the City identified drainage criteria to control runoff for a 10-year storm event within street curbing and for a 100- year storm event within the street rights-of-way.

The City’s drainage system is divided into four regions based on the boundaries established by past drainage master plans prepared by RCFCWCD. Deficiencies in stormwater infrastructure and identification of costs and financing are provided in the City’s Master Drainage Plan and storm drain improvement projects are identified and funded through the City’s CIP program (Wildomar 2023b). The City works closely with RFCWCD and is continually upgrading its stormwater infrastructure through the CIP, which is a five-year financial plan for the maintenance and expansion of public infrastructure. The prioritized capital improvement projects involving stormwater infrastructure focus on updating the Master Drainage Plan and improvements to various storm drains and acquiring right-of-way to maintain natural conveyance for portions of Murrieta Creek/Wildomar Channel (Wildomar 2023b).
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The SWRCB, as the implementing agency for the Trash Amendments, mandates that all MS4 permittees, which includes the City of Wildomar, must install certified trash treatment control systems on all catch basins no later than December 2, 2030. Catch basin filter retrofit programs are included in the City’s most recent 5-year Capital Improvement Program (Wildomar 2023b).

5.19.3.3 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

U-1 Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded storm water drainage facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects.

5.19.3.4 PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES
Land Use Element
GOAL 7 Compatibility with the Natural Environment: Land uses and development intensities are compatible with scenic and natural resources and encourage environmental preservation.  Policy LU-7.1 Design to Respect Natural Settings. Require that new development conform building massing to topographic forms and minimize alteration of natural landforms and vegetation, incorporating natural drainage systems, allowing development clustering to maintain slopes, restricting grading of steep slopes, and encouraging the preservation of significant hillsides, canyon edges and hilltops as prominent visual features.

Circulation Element
GOAL CI 8: A robust network of infrastructure and utility systems supports the City’s growth.  Policy CI-8.2 Adequate Storm Drainage. Implement, and periodically update, the 2019 City of Wildomar Master Drainage Plan to manage storm runoff and provide flood control protection.

Open Space and Conservation Element
GOAL OS 3: Reliable and safe water supply that supports Wildomar’s current and future needs.  Policy OS-3.4 Water Conservation in Existing Development. Encourage existing development to use water-conserving mechanisms such as stormwater capture systems, graywater systems, water-efficient appliances, and drought-tolerant landscape planting.

5.19.3.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement. 726

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Impact 5.19-5: The proposed project would not require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded stormwater drainage facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects. [Threshold U-1]
New development and/or redevelopment as part of the Proposed General Plan would result in an increase in impervious surfaces, which in turn could result in an increase in stormwater runoff, higher peak discharges to drainage channels, and the potential to cause nuisance flooding in areas without adequate drainage facilities.

The Regional MS4 permit defines priority development projects as projects that create 10,000 square feet or more of impervious surfaces or replace 5,000 square feet or more of impervious surface; these projects would be required to implement site design, source control, and stormwater treatment and runoff measures using specific numeric sizing criteria based on the volume and flow rate of stormwater that is generated by the project.

Each priority development project must prepare a project-specific WQMP, which undergoes review by City Public Works/Engineering Department personnel to ensure that the MS4 regulatory requirements for temporary on-site stormwater runoff retention have been met. Project-specific WQMPs would include BMPs to reduce stormwater impacts; such BMPs may include, but are not limited to, bioretention basins, permeable pavement, and infiltration trenches. Also, the City’s Community Development Department would apply conditions of approval to each project to ensure that the requirements of the MS4 permit have been met.

Compliance with the MS4 permit and the City’s WQMP program would minimize increases in the amount of stormwater runoff from future development in the City.

The MS4 permit and Riverside County LID BMP Handbooks require that all projects that generate runoff from an 85th percentile, 24-hour storm event must treat stormwater onsite. Priority development projects must also adhere to the hydromodification requirements of the MS4 permit and demonstrate that post-construction runoff flow rates and durations do not exceed pre-development conditions by more than 10 percent. This would minimize the amount of stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopment sites within the City.

Also, as part of the permitting process, future development would be required to pay fees to the City and RCFCWCD, pursuant to Wildomar Municipal Code Chapter 16.32, which is designed to mitigate impacts of stormwater discharged to flood control channels and storm drains. Planned improvements to the City’s storm drainage system are implemented through the CIP and the City’s Master Drainage Plan updates. The prioritized projects in the latest CIP involving stormwater infrastructure focus on updating the Master Drainage Plan, improvements to various storm drains to reduce flooding, and acquiring right-of-way to maintain natural conveyance for portion of Murrieta Creek/Wildomar Channel (Wildomar 2023b).

Compliance with the MS4 permit and the Proposed General Plan policies, such as Policy CI-8.2, which describes implementing projects identified in the City’s Master Drainage Plan to manage storm runoff; implementation of BMPs and on-site stormwater control measures; and City requirements regarding the preparation and review of WQMPs would ensure that the implementation of the Proposed General Plan would not result in significant increases in runoff and would not contribute to the construction of new storm drain facilities or expansion of existing facilities that would cause significant environmental impacts. In addition, the City would continue to repair, rehabilitate, and upgrade the storm drain system through implementation of the CIP program. Therefore, impacts with respect to stormwater infrastructure would be less than significant. 727

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Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.19-5 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.19-5 would be less than significant.

5.19.3.6 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Cumulative impacts are considered for the Santa Ana River and Santa Margarita River Watersheds in western Riverside County. Cumulative projects could result in an incremental increase in impervious surfaces that could increase stormwater runoff and impact existing storm drain facilities. However, all cumulative projects would be required to comply with City or County ordinances, as well as the MS4 permit, which would minimize stormwater runoff.

Development within the watershed areas would require conformance with State and City regulations that would reduce hydrology and infrastructure construction impacts to less than significant levels. Any new development in the City would be subject to the Proposed General Plan policies and City design guidelines, zoning codes, and other applicable City requirements that reduce impacts related to hydrology and stormwater drainage facilities. More specifically, potential changes related to stormwater flows, drainage, impervious surfaces, and flooding would be minimized by the implementation of stormwater control measures, retention, infiltration, and low-impact-development measures and review by the City’s Public Works Department to integrate measures to reduce potential stormwater drainage and flooding impacts.

All cumulative projects in unincorporated Riverside County and other municipalities within the watershed areas would be subject to similar permit requirements and would be required to comply with various municipal codes and policies and County ordinances, as well as numerous water quality regulations that control constructionrelated and operational discharge of pollutants in stormwater. The MS4 Permit applies to Riverside County, RFCWCD, and other municipalities within the County to manage stormwater systems and be collectively protective of water quality. For these reasons, impacts from future development within the watershed areas related to stormwater infrastructure construction are not cumulatively considerable.

In combination with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable projects, proposed implementation of the Proposed General Plan would not result in a cumulatively considerable impact to stormwater infrastructure, and cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
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5.19.4 Solid Waste

5.19.4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Background
Federal Regulations
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 258), contains regulations for municipal solid waste landfills and requires states to implement their own permitting programs incorporating the federal landfill criteria. The federal regulations address the location, operation, design (liners, leachate collection, run-off control, etc.), groundwater monitoring, and closure of landfills.

State Regulations
Integrated Waste Management Act
California’s Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939) set a requirement for cities and counties to divert 50 percent of all solid waste from landfills as of January 1, 2000, through source reduction, recycling, and composting. The Act required that each city and county prepare a Source Reduction and Recycling Element to be submitted to the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), a department within the California Natural Resources Agency. AB 939 also established a goal for all California counties to provide at least 15 years of ongoing landfill capacity.

In 2007, SB 1016 amended AB 939 to establish a per capita disposal measurement system. The per capita disposal measurement system is calculated as a jurisdiction’s reported total disposal of solid waste divided by a jurisdiction’s population. CalRecycle sets a target per capita disposal rate for each jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction must submit an annual report to CalRecycle with an update of its progress in implementing diversion programs and its current per capita disposal rate.

California Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Access Act of 1991 The California Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Access Act (AB 1327) requires development projects to set aside areas for collecting and loading recyclable materials. The Act required CalRecycle to develop a model ordinance for adoption by any local agency relating to adequate areas for collection and loading of recyclable materials as part of development projects. Local agencies are required to adopt the model, or an ordinance of their own, governing adequate areas in development projects for collection and loading of recyclable materials.

California Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Act (Senate Bill 1383) SB 1383 focuses on the elimination of methane gas created by organic materials in landfills and sets targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the statewide disposal of organic waste by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025. Organic waste makes up half of what Californians send to landfills. SB 1383 requires all businesses and residents to divert organic materials (including food waste, yard waste, and soiled paper products) from the landfill. The regulation took effect on January 1, 2022, and requires that organics collection service be provided 729

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to all residents and businesses. Also, an edible food recovery program must be established by 2025 with the goal of recovering edible food for human consumption.

Mandatory Commercial Recycling Act (Assembly Bill 341)
Assembly Bill 341 (Chapter 476) increases the statewide solid waste diversion goal to 75 percent by 2020, and mandates recycling for businesses producing four or more cubic yards of solid waste per week or multi-family residential dwellings of five or more units. AB 341 is designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state by 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. CR&R Environmental Services (CR&R) provides businesses and property owners with composting and recycling services in the City of Wildomar and Riverside County.

Mandatory Organics Recycling Act (Assembly Bill 1826)
AB 1826, which was enacted in 2014 and took effect in 2016, mandates organic waste recycling for businesses and multifamily dwellings with five or more units. Starting January 1, 2020, all generators of 2 cubic yards or more of garbage, recycling, and compost combined per week must recycle organic waste. Organic waste includes food scraps, food-soiled paper waste, yard trimmings, and landscape materials. Organic waste can be recycled through composting, mulching, and anaerobic digestion which produces renewable energy and fuel.

In addition to recycling food scraps, donating surplus food to local food banks can be part of the AB 1826 compliance effort. Multi-family dwellings do not need to have food-waste recycling on-site but must recycle yard and landscape materials. CR&R Environmental Services offers these services to businesses and residents to comply with the requirements of AB 1826.

CALGreen Building Code
The latest 2022 CALGreen Code became effective on January 1, 2023. Section 5.408, Construction Waste Reduction Disposal and Recycling, mandates that, in the absence of a more stringent local ordinance, a minimum of 65 percent of non-hazardous construction and demolition debris must be recycled or salvaged.

The code requires applicants to prepare and submit a Construction and Demolition Recycling & Waste Reduction Plan, which is submitted to the City for approval. For on-site sorting of construction debris, which is submitted to the City for approval. The plan must:
 Identify the materials to be diverted from disposal by recycling, reuse on the project, or salvage for future use or sale.
 Specify if materials will be sorted on-site or mixed for transportation to a diversion facility.  Identify the diversion facility where the material collected will be taken.  Supply weight tags for the entire period of the project for compliance review. 730

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Regional Regulations
Riverside County Department of Waste Resources
Riverside County Department of Waste Resources (RC Waste) is responsible for the landfilling of nonhazardous county waste. RC Waste operates five landfills, has a contract agreement with an additional private landfill (El Sobrante) and administers several transfer station leases (RC Waste 2024). Additionally, RC Waste offers various public educational classes on waste mitigation and sustainability for residents and businesses within Riverside County. RC Waste’s mission is to provide for the protection of the general public health and welfare by efficient management of Riverside County’s solid waste system through provision of facilities and programs which meet or exceed all applicable local, State, Federal and land use regulations.

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health
Riverside County DEH is the local enforcement agency for the landfills in Riverside County (RDEH 2024).

DEH is certified by CalRecycle to regulate landfills, transfer stations, composting sites and administer the solid waste collectors in the county areas. DEH conducts inspections of landfills and other regulated facilities to verify they comply with their permit conditions.

Local Regulations
City of Wildomar Municipal Code
The City of Wildomar Municipal Code includes various directives that pertain to solid waste disposal. The Municipal Code is organized by title, chapter, and section. Most provisions are found in Title 8, Health and Safety, and Title 17, Zoning.
 Chapter 8.104, Solid Waste Collection and Disposal, provides regulations for solid waste management, franchises, self-hauling, non-organic recyclables, green waste, and construction and demolition (C&D) materials and organic waste. The regulations comply with the State requirements listed in the regulatory background section.
 Chapter 8.20, Refuse Disposal Facilities, describes how sites used for solid waste transfer, processing or disposal are designated and operated under control of the City’s Waste Management Department. Rules and regulations for sites are described in Chapter 8.20.040.  Chapter 17.172.270, Organic Waste Trash Enclosures, describes compliance standards for commercial businesses and multifamily residential developments that subscribe to organic waste recycling services.

Standards include requirements for trash enclosures, signage for best management practices, and rain coverage.

5.19.4.2 EXISTING CONDITIONS
Solid Waste Collection and Recycling
CR&R Environmental Services is the franchise waste hauler for the City of Wildomar and provides solid waste and organic waste collection, and recycling services to residents and businesses within the City. This includes:
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 Weekly curbside collection of waste in three containers: landfill waste in the black container, recyclables in the gray container, and organic waste in the green container.  Pre-scheduled curbside pickup for residents of electronic waste and refrigerators for a nominal charge.  Pre-scheduled curbside pickup for residents of bulky items, such as chairs, sofas, or other household items up to three times per calendar year.
 Rollout bins for businesses and multi-family residences, including organic waste collection.  Rollout bins for construction projects to assist in compliance with C&D recycling goals.

All solid non-hazardous waste from the City is first collected and transferred to the CR&R Perris Transfer Station, where recyclable material is separated from other solid waste. Once sorted, recyclables are bundled and sent to third party processers. The organic waste collected in the green bins is transported to various composting facilities, including an anaerobic digester facility in Perris.

Landfills
Non-hazardous solid waste from the City is disposed of at five landfills, with the El Sobrante Sanitary Landfill receiving over 80 percent of all landfilled waste (CalRecycle 2019a). Badlands Sanitary Landfill, Lamb Canyon Sanitary Landfill, Simi Valley Landfill & Recycling Center and the Sycamore Landfill also receive solid waste from the City that is collected by CR&R.

The El Sobrante Landfill is permitted for a maximum throughput of 16,054 tons per day (TPD), has a remaining capacity of approximately 144 million cubic yards as of April 1, 2018, and an estimated closure date of January 1, 2051 (CalRecycle 2019b). The landfill receives approximately 10,528 TPD per day and has a residual daily capacity of 5,526 TPD (CalRecycle 2022).6 Landfills are subject to regular inspections from CalRecycle, Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, the RWQCB, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Compliance with AB 939 is measured in part by comparing actual disposal rates for residents and employees to target rates; actual rates at or below target rates are consistent with AB 939. Target disposal rates for Wildomar in 2022 were 4.8 pounds per day (ppd) per resident and 36.2 ppd per employee; actual disposal rates were 4.1 ppd per resident and 25.6 ppd per employee (CalRecycle 2019c). Therefore, the solid waste diversion goals for the City of Wildomar have been met.

5.19.4.3 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:
6 The landfill received 3,284,874 tons of waste in 2022 and is assumed to operate 312 days per year. 732

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U-4 Generate solid waste in excess of state or local standards, or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals.

U-5 Comply with federal, state, and local management and reduction statutes and regulations related to solid waste.

5.19.4.4 PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES
Circulation Element
GOAL CI 8: A robust network of infrastructure and utility systems supports the City’s growth.  Policy CI-8.1 Collaborate with Utilities and Service Providers. Work with utilities and service providers for water, wastewater, energy, and solid waste, including, but not limited to, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), CR&R, Southern California Edison (SCE) and SoCalGas, to ensure that services and facilities meet resident needs reliably and support the City’s growth.

Open Space and Conservation Element
GOAL OS 7: Waste generation is decreased through recycling and waste diversion programs.  Policy OS-7.1 Recycling Programs. Support residential, commercial, industrial, and construction/ demolition recycling programs to minimize the solid waste stream to landfills.  Policy OS-7.2 Electronic Waste Recycling. Coordinate with businesses that recycle electronic waste (e.g., batteries, fluorescent lamps, compact-fluorescent (CFL) bulbs and the California Product Stewardship Council, CalRecycle, and other pertinent agencies to increase rates of electronic waste recycling.

5.19.4.5 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement.

Impact 5.19-6: The proposed project would not generate solid waste in excess of State or local standards or in excess of the capacity of local infrastructure, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals. [Threshold U-4]
Under the Proposed General Plan, the population is anticipated to increase by 27,999 residents and 6,274 employees. As shown in Table 5.19-5, Solid Waste Increase: Proposed Project, this level of growth would result in an increase in solid waste of approximately 138 tons per day, or 50,262 tons per year. These numbers are conservative because, with continued recycling and waste reduction programs implemented by the City and CR&R, the waste generation rates would be reduced over time. 733

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Table 5.19-5 Solid Waste Increase: Proposed Project
Category
Increase Due to Proposed
Project
Solid Waste Generation Rate
(ppd)
Increase in Solid Waste
(tons per day)
Increase in Solid Waste
(tons per year)
Residents 27,999 4.1 57 20,950
Employees 6,274 25.6 80 29,312
Total 138 50,262
Source: CalRecycle 2019c.

Notes: ppd – pounds per day
The increase of 138 tons per day with buildout of the proposed project, as shown in Table 5.19-5, would be about 2.5 percent of the current residual capacity of 5,526 tons/day at El Sobrante Landfill.7 This estimate conservatively assumes that all of the generated waste is landfilled. In addition, approximately 20 percent of the solid waste from the City of Wildomar is transported to other landfills in Riverside County and southern California, and a portion of the waste generated in the City is diverted from landfill disposal through recycling and composting. Although CalRecycle does not provide the recycling rate for Wildomar, California as a whole diverted 42 percent of total waste in 2020 (CalRecycle 2021). As such, the Proposed General Plan would not generate solid waste in excess of the capacity of the landfills that serve the City.

With continued compliance with the applicable regulations, leading to increased recycling and waste diversion, and adherence to the Proposed General Plan policies, such as Policy OS-7.1, which supports recycling programs for residential and non-residential development to reduce the solid waste sent to landfills, anticipated rates of solid waste disposal from the Proposed General Plan would be less than significant with respect to permitted landfill capacity. In addition, the City is below the CalRecycle target disposal rates of 4.8 ppd for residents and

36.2 ppd for employees and meets the regulatory requirements of AB 939.8 Therefore, implementation of the Proposed General Plan would not generate solid waste in excess of State and local standards, or in excess of the capacity of the landfills, or otherwise impair the attainment of solid waste reduction goals, and the impact is less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.19-6 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.19-6 would be less than significant. 7 138 tons per day divided by 5,526 tons per day = 0.025 = 2.5 percent. 8 In 2022, Wildomar’s disposal rates were 4.1 ppd per resident and 25.6 ppd per employee (CalRecycle 2019c). 734

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Impact 5.19-7: The proposed project would comply with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to solid waste. [Threshold U-5]
As discussed under Impact 5.19-6, CR&R and the City of Wildomar comply with all State requirements to reduce the volume of solid waste through recycling and organic waste diversion. The City’s per capita disposal rates of 4.1 ppd per resident and 25.6 ppd per employee are below the CalRecycle targets of 4.8 pounds per day (ppd) for residents and 36.2 ppd for employees. In addition, all potential future development pursuant to the Proposed General Plan would comply with Division 4.4, Material Conservation and Resource Efficiency, of the CALGreen Building Code, which requires that at least 65 percent of nonhazardous construction and demolition waste from nonresidential construction operations be recycled and/or salvaged for reuse.

Potential future development would also comply with AB 341, which mandates recycling for commercial and multifamily residential land uses as well as schools and school districts. All jurisdictions in California are required to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses, beginning in 2022 and in accordance with SB 1383. The City and CR&R currently comply with all applicable federal, State, and local solid waste regulations, and solid waste, recycling, and green waste collection services are available to all residents and commercial businesses in Wildomar. Therefore, the Proposed General Plan would comply with all current and future regulatory requirements, and impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.14-7 would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.19-7 would be less than significant.

5.19.4.6 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
Cumulative impacts are considered for the service area of the El Sobrante Landfill. Cumulative projects would result in increased generation of solid waste that would need to be processed at the landfill. The El Sobrante Landfill has a daily maximum throughput of 16,054 TPD, a remaining capacity of approximately 144 million cubic yards, and an estimated closure date of January 1, 2051. In addition to the El Sobrante Landfill, four additional regional landfills are available for disposal in Riverside County. As reported by the California Department of Finance, the total population of Riverside County is expected to increase from 2.42 million to

2.66 million by 2045 (CDF 2023). Assuming that solid waste generation increases at the same rate as the population (10 percent), the increase in the amount of waste generated in Riverside County by 2045 would be about 11,581 TPD. Conservatively assuming that all of this waste is landfilled, the additional waste generated by Riverside County, including the waste generated by Wildomar with the Proposed General Plan buildout, would be about 73 percent of the daily capacity of El Sobrante Landfill.9 9 (2045 Riverside County waste generation plus Proposed General Plan waste generation) divided by Maximum Landfill Capacity = Landfill Capacity Percent; (11,581 TPD + 138 TPD) / 16,054 TPD = 73 percent. 735

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Therefore, development according to the Proposed General Plan would not create demands for solid waste services that would exceed the capabilities of the County’s waste management system. Continued compliance with the applicable regulations and an increase in recycling and landfill diversion rates would ensure that solid waste cumulative impacts would be less than significant.

5.19.5 Other Utilities

5.19.5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
Regulatory Background
Federal Regulations
National Energ y Policy
Established in 2001 by the National Energy Policy Development Group, the National Energy Policy is designed to help the private sector and state and local governments promote dependable, affordable, and environmentally sound production and distribution of energy for the future. Key issues addressed by the energy policy are energy conservation, repair and expansion of energy infrastructure, and ways of increasing energy supplies while protecting the environment.

Energ y Policy Act of 2005
Passed by Congress in July 2005, the Energy Policy Act includes a comprehensive set of provisions to address energy issues. This Act includes tax incentives for energy conservation improvements in commercial and residential buildings, fossil fuel production and clean coal facilities, and construction and operation of nuclear power plants, among other things. Subsidies are also included for geothermal, wind energy, and other alternative energy producers.

Energ y Independence and Security Act of 2007
Signed into law in December 2007, the Energy Independence and Security Act contains provisions designed to increase energy efficiency and the availability of renewable energy. The Act contains provisions for increasing fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks, while establishing new minimum efficiency standards for lighting as well as residential and commercial appliance equipment.

Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968
The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 authorizes the United States Department of Transportation to regulate pipeline transportation of flammable, toxic, or corrosive natural gas and other gases as well as the transportation and storage of liquefied natural gas. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation develops and enforces regulations for the safe, reliable, and environmentally sound operation of the nation’s 2.6-million-mile pipeline transportation system. The regulations enacted under this act have been updated several times. The latest revision is dated May 2023 and includes additional safety regulations for gas transmission pipelines, including repair criteria, integrity management improvements, cathodic protection, and other inspection and maintenance procedures. The regulations are encoded in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 192. 736

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State Regulations
California Energ y Commission
The California Energy Commission (CEC) was created in 1974 under the Warren-Alquist Act as the State’s principal energy planning organization to meet the energy challenges facing the state in response to the 1973 oil embargo. The Warren-Alquist Act is updated annually to address current energy needs and issues, and its latest revision is dated January 2023. The CEC is charged with six basic responsibilities when designing state energy policy:
 Forecast statewide electricity needs.
 License power plants to meet those needs.
 Promote energy conservation and efficiency measures.
 Develop renewable energy resources and alternative energy technologies.  Promote research, development, and demonstration.
 Plan for and direct the state’s response to energy emergencies.

California Public Utilities Commission
Adopted in September 2008 and updated in January 2011, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Long Term Energy Efficiency Strategic Plan provides a framework for energy efficiency in California through the year 2020 and beyond. It articulates a long-term vision, as well as goals for each economic sector, identifying specific near-, mid-, and long-term strategies to assist in achieving these goals. The plan sets forth the following four goals, known as “Big Bold Energy Efficiency Strategies,” to achieve significant reductions in energy demand:
 All new residential construction in California will be zero net energy by 2020;  All new commercial construction in California will be zero net energy by 2030;  Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) will be transformed to ensure that its energy performance is optimal for California’s climate; and
 All eligible low-income customers will be given the opportunity to participate in the low-income energy efficiency program by 2020.

The CPUC and CEC have adopted the following goals to achieve zero net energy (ZNE) levels by 2030 in the commercial sector:

Goal 1: New construction will increasingly embrace zero net energy performance (including clean, distributed generation), reaching 100 percent penetration of new starts in 2030.

Goal 2: 50 percent of existing buildings will be retrofit to zero net energy by 2030 through achievement of deep levels of energy efficiency and with the addition of clean distributed generation. 737

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Goal 3: Transform the commercial lighting market through technological advancement and innovative utility initiatives.

California Energ y Code
The State of California provides a minimum standard for energy conservation through Title 24, Part 6 California Code of Regulations, commonly referred to as the California Energy Code. The California Energy Code was first adopted by the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (now the CEC) in June 1977. The standards are updated on a three-year cycle to allow for consideration and possible incorporation of new energy efficiency technologies and methods. In August 2021, the CEC adopted the 2022 California Energy Code, which went into effect on January 1, 2023. The 2022 standards require mixed-fuel single-family homes to be electric ready to accommodate replacement of gas appliances with electric appliances.

In addition, the new standards also include prescriptive photovoltaic systems and battery requirements for highrise, multifamily buildings (i.e., more than three stories) and noncommercial buildings such as hotels, offices, medical offices, restaurants, retail stores, schools, warehouses, theaters, and convention centers (CEC 2021).

California Green Building Standards
On July 17, 2008, the California Building Standards Commission adopted the nation’s first green building standards. CALGreen (24 California Code of Regulations, Part 11) was adopted as part of the California Building Standards Code. It includes mandatory requirements for new residential and nonresidential buildings throughout California. CALGreen is intended to (1) reduce GHG emissions from buildings; (2) promote environmentally responsible, cost-effective, healthier places to live and work; (3) reduce energy and water consumption; and (4) respond to the directives by the governor. The latest 2022 CALGreen code became effective on January 1, 2023.

The CALGreen code includes provisions to reduce construction waste, make buildings more efficient in the use of materials and energy, and reduce environmental impact during and after construction. CALGreen contains requirements for construction site selection, stormwater control during construction, construction waste reduction, indoor water use reduction, material selection, natural resource conservation, site irrigation conservation, etc. The code provides for design options, allowing the designer to determine how best to achieve compliance for a given site or building condition. The code also requires building commissioning, which is a process for verifying that all building systems (e.g., heating and cooling equipment and lighting systems) are functioning at their maximum efficiency.
2016 Appliance Efficiency Regulations
The 2016 Appliance Efficiency Regulations (Title 20, California Code of Regulations Sections 1601 through 1608), combined with federal standards, set minimum efficiency levels for energy and water consumption in products, such as consumer electronics, household appliances, and plumbing equipment (CEC 2023a). Twentythree categories of appliances are included in the scope of these regulations. The standards within these regulations apply to appliances that are sold or offered for sale in California, except those sold wholesale in California for final retail sale outside the state, and those designed and sold exclusively for use in recreational vehicles or other mobile equipment. These regulations exceed the standards imposed by all other states and they reduce GHG emissions by reducing energy demand.
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California Energ y Benchmarking and Disclosure (AB 802) The Building Energy Benchmarking Program is mandated under AB 802 and requires owners of large commercial and multifamily buildings to report energy use to the CEC by June 1 annually. This program applies to all buildings with more than 50,000 square feet of gross floor area and owners of multifamily residential buildings with more than 50,000 square feet and 17 or more utility accounts. The bill requires each utility, upon the request and authorization of the owner, owner’s agent, or operator of a building covered under the regulation, to deliver or provide aggregated energy usage data for a covered building. The required energy usage shall be reported to the CEC through the Energy Star Portfolio Manager.

California Renewable Portfolio Standards
A major component of California’s Renewable Energy Program is the renewables portfolio standard established under SB 1078 (Sher) and SB 107 (Simitian). The standard requires that a specified percentage of the electricity that utilities provide comes from renewable resources. Renewable sources of electricity include wind, small hydropower, solar, geothermal, biomass, and biogas. SB 1020, signed into law on September 16, 2022, requires renewable energy and zero-carbon resources to supply 90 percent of all retail electricity sales by 2035 and 95 percent by 2040. Additionally, SB 1020 requires all State agencies to procure 100 percent of electricity from renewable energy and zero-carbon resources by 2035.

CPUC Natural Gas Regulations
The CPUC regulates natural gas utility rates and services as well as the transportation of natural gas over the extensive transmission and distribution pipeline systems. The CPUC also regulates gas storage facilities. The Gas Safety and Reliability Branch of the CPUC ensures that natural gas pipeline systems are designed, constructed, operated, and maintained according to the safety standards set by the CPUC and the federal government. The regulations are provided in the CPUC General Order No. 112-E and the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 2011.

Local Regulations
City of Wildomar Municipal Code
The City of Wildomar Municipal Code includes various directives that pertain to energy and telecommunication infrastructure. The Municipal Code is organized by title, chapter, and section. Most provisions are found in Title 13, Public Services, Title 15, Building and Construction, and Title 17, Zoning.  Chapter 13.16, Underground Utility Districts, describes how the City may designate an underground utility district area, the public hearing process for such designations, and the removal of associated overhead structures for public necessity, health, safety, and welfare. Exceptions for emergency services, street lighting and other facilities are provided in Sections 13.16.050 and 13.16.060.  Chapter 15.20, Green Building Code, adopts the 2022 Green Building Code by reference. The City has also adopted the 2022 California Energy Code (California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6) in Chapter

15.22, Energy Code.
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 Chapter 15.108, Expedited, streamlined permitting process for small residential rooftop solar systems, established the permitting process for solar installations for residences.  Chapter 17.164, Wind Energy Resource Zone, describes areas in the City suited for large scale development of wind energy and includes uses permitted, tower requirements, and development standards.  Chapter 17.224, Commercial Wind Energy Conversion (WECS) Permits, describes the permit process for WECS including site plans, utility interconnection data, requirements for geotechnical reports, and safety standards.
 Chapter 17.310, Wireless Communication Facilities, includes provisions for concealed or disguised wireless communication facilities throughout the City to provide efficient new wireless communication services, minimize visual impacts, and ensure continuous maintenance of such facilities.

Existing Conditions
Electricity
The City is in the Southern California Edison (SCE) service area, which spans a 50,000 square mile area of southern California including Orange County and Riverside County to the south, Santa Barbara County to the west, and Mono County to the north, and the border of California to the east. Total electricity consumption in SCE’s service area was 107,876 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2022 (CEC 2023b). Sources of electricity sold by SCE in 2021, the latest year for which data are available, were:
 31.4 percent renewable, consisting mostly of solar and wind  2.3 percent large hydroelectric
 22.3 percent natural gas
 9.2 percent nuclear
 0.2 percent other
 34.6 percent unspecified sources—that is, not traceable to specific sources (SCE 2023)10 Total estimated existing electricity demand in Wildomar, based on data provided by SCE, is estimated at 133,215,294 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year (133.2 GWh per year), as shown in Table 5.19-6, Existing Electricity Demand.

Table 5.19-6 Existing Electricity Demand
Area Electricity Usage (kWh per year)
Residential 91,443,491
Nonresidential 41,771,803
Total 133,215,294
Source: Annual electricity consumption for the year 2019 based on previous years data (2018-2022) provided by SCE. 10 The electricity sources listed reflect changes after the 2013 closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, which is owned by SCE. Numbers are rounded up and may cause the total to not add up to exactly 100%. 740

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Natural Gas
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) provides natural gas service to the City of Wildomar. The service area of SoCalGas spans much of the southern half of California, from Imperial County to the southeast, San Luis Obispo County to the northwest, part of Fresno County to the north, and Riverside County and most of San Bernardino County to the east. Total natural gas consumption in the SoCalGas service area was 6,565 million of therms for 2022 (CEC 2023c).

Existing natural gas demands in the City, based on data provided by SoCalGas, are estimated at 5.0 million therms per year, as shown in Table 5.19-7, Existing Natural Gas Demand.

Table 5.19-7 Existing Natural Gas Demand
Sector Natural Gas Usage (Therms per year)
Residential 4,378,058
Nonresidential 617,081
Total 4,995,139
Source: Annual natural gas consumption for year 2019 based on previous years data (2018-2022) provided by SoCalGas.

Telecommunications and Internet Providers
Telecommunications services include wireless internet, cell phone and land line telephone, cable television, and satellite television. There are numerous telecommunication and internet providers that serve the City.

Telecommunication providers include AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others. Internet providers include Spectrum, Xfinity, AT&T, Frontier, T-Mobile, and others. Multiple choices give Wildomar residents and businesses a variety of options when choosing telecommunication providers. The current infrastructure is in place and sufficient to serve existing and future customers in Wildomar and the surrounding area.

5.19.5.2 THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE
According to Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, a project would normally have a significant effect on the environment if the project would:

U-1 Require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects.

5.19.5.3 PROPOSED GENERAL PLAN GOALS AND POLICIES
Open Space and Conservation Element
GOAL OS 2: Air quality is protected from adverse environmental factors that contribute to poor air quality. 741

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 Policy OS-2.5 Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. Work with utility providers to expand EV charging infrastructure throughout the community to accelerate the use of zero emission vehicles, prioritizing multifamily, commercial, office, and municipal properties.

GOAL OS 6: Energy is used efficiently and sourced from resilient, low carbon, and renewable energy supplies.  Policy OS-6.1 Energy Conservation. Encourage energy audits and energy-efficient retrofitting of existing buildings throughout the City.
 Policy OS-6.2 Energy Transition. Work with local energy providers and contractors to support residents and business owners transitioning to all-electric appliances and renewable energy.  Policy OS-6.3 Grid Reliability. Support and encourage efforts by local energy service providers and other public agencies to improve the safety and resilience of the local power grid.  Policy OS-6.4 Energy Independence. Increase the installation of on-site renewable energy systems in new and existing developments with the capacity to support these systems, enforcing the renewable energy requirements of the California Building Standards Code and encouraging buildings not covered by State requirements to install renewable energy systems.
 Policy OS-6.5 Energy Storage. Encourage new and existing buildings to include battery storage systems, especially at buildings with solar energy installations and municipal buildings that provide essential community services.
 Policy OS-6.6 Municipal Energy Transition. Transition municipal operations to renewable energy sources and electric building operations as feasible.
 Policy OS-6.9 Cooling Elements. Encourage site and building design that avoids unwanted heat gain from solar exposure and considers passive solar and wind design. Features that provide shading at suitable times of the day and year and generally should be “passive” or automatic, avoiding the need for occupants to regularly monitor or adjust them. Examples of passive and active solar and wind design include orienting buildings to maximize exposure to cooling effects of prevailing winds, daylighting design, natural ventilation, space planning, thermal massing, and locating landscaping and landscape structures to shade buildings.
 Policy OS-6.10 Financing. Partner with SCE, the Inland Regional Energy Network, and local solar installers to assist low-income homeowners and small business owners in identifying financing options for installation of rooftop solar energy systems, energy efficiency retrofits, energy storage, and electrification of existing buildings.

Circulation Element
GOAL CI 8: A robust network of infrastructure and utility systems supports the City’s growth. 742

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 Policy CI-8.1 Collaborate with Utilities and Service Providers. Work with utilities and service providers for water, wastewater, energy, and solid waste, including, but not limited to, Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD), CR&R, Southern California Edison (SCE) and SoCalGas, to ensure that services and facilities meet resident needs reliably and support the City’s growth.  Policy CI-8.3 Telecommunications Systems and Access. Work with telecommunications service providers to meet the facility and service demands of existing and future development and to provide equitable access to telecommunications infrastructure, including encouraging retrofit and expansion of existing high speed internet systems and inclusion in all new housing.

5.19.5.4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
The applicable thresholds are identified in brackets after the impact statement.

Impact 5.19-8: Implementation of the proposed project would not require or result in the relocation or construction of new or expanded electric power, natural gas, or telecommunications facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects. [Threshold U-1]
Electricity
Electrical service to the City is provided by SCE through connections to existing off-site electrical lines and new on-site infrastructure. As shown in Table 5.19-8, Year 2045 Forecast Electricity Consumption, by horizon year 2045, electricity use in the City would increase by 109,987,393 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, or approximately 83 percent, from existing conditions. The increase of 109,987,393 kWh/year (110 gigawatt-hours [GWh]/year) is approximately 0.1 percent of the total electricity consumption for SCE in 2022 of 107,876 GWh/year. Total electricity consumption in SCE’s service area is forecast to decrease by approximately 1,068 GWh/year between 2020 and 2035 (CEC 2023b). Additionally, the Proposed General Plan includes Policy OS-6.1, which would improve buildings energy-efficiency through energy audits throughout Wildomar. Therefore, project development would not require SCE to obtain new or expanded electricity supplies, and impacts would be less than significant.

Table 5.19-8 Year 2045 Forecast Electricity Consumption Area
Electricity Usage, kWh per year
(Subtotal)
Existing Baseline1 Horizon Year 2045 Forecast2 Net Change Residential 91,443,491 160,033,737 68,590,246
Nonresidential 41,771,803 83,168,950 41,398,147
Total 133,215,294 243,202,687 109,987,393
1 Electricity usage is provided by SCE. 2 Residential energy and nonresidential energy forecasts are adjusted for increases in housing and employment, respectively, in the City and do not account for reductions due to increase in energy efficiency from compliance with the Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen. 743

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Natural Gas
As shown in Table 5.19-9, Year 2045 Forecast Natural Gas Consumption, existing natural gas use in the City totals 4,995,139 therms annually. By 2045, natural gas use in the City would increase by 3,895,455 therms annually, or approximately 78 percent, from existing conditions to a total of 8,890,594 therms per year. This increase is less than 0.01 percent of the total natural gas consumed in the SoCalGas service area in 2022 of 6,565 million therms. Additionally, the Proposed General Plan includes Policy OS-6.2, which supports the transition to allelectric appliances for residents and businesses. Therefore, development pursuant to the Proposed General Plan would not require SoCalGas to obtain new or expanded natural gas supplies, and impacts would be less than significant.

Table 5.19-9 Year 2045 Forecast Natural Gas Consumption Area
Natural Gas Usage, therms per year
(Subtotal)
Existing Baseline1 Horizon Year 2045 Forecast2 Net Change Residential 4,378,058 7,661,967 3,283,909
Nonresidential 617,081 1,228,627 611,546
Total 4,995,139 8,890,594 3,895,455
1 Natural gas usage data provided by SoCalGas. 2 Residential energy and nonresidential energy forecasts are adjusted for increases in housing and employment, respectively, in the City and do not account for reductions due to increase in energy efficiency from compliance with the Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen.

While the electricity and natural gas demand for the City would increase compared to existing conditions, development accommodated under the Proposed General Plan would be required to comply with the current and future updates to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen, which would contribute to reducing the energy demands shown in Tables 5.19-8 and 5.19-9. New and replacement buildings in compliance with these standards would generally have greater energy efficiency than existing buildings. It is anticipated that each update to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards and CALGreen will result in greater building energy efficiency and move closer toward buildings achieving zero net energy usage.

Telecommunications
Infrastructure supporting telecommunications services associated with the Proposed General Plan would be provided and installed in compliance with all State and local regulations. Furthermore, a number of franchised telecommunications providers are available in the region, and no significant expansion or construction of the telecommunications network is anticipated as a result of implementation of the proposed project. Additionally, Proposed General Plan Policy CI-8.3 calls for working with telecommunications service providers to ensure that facility and service demands are met. Therefore, the Proposed General Plan would not require new or expanded telecommunication facilities, the construction or relocation of which could cause significant environmental effects, and impacts would be less than significant.

Level of Significance Before Mitigation: Impact 5.19-8 would be less than significant. 744

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Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Level of Significance After Mitigation: Impact 5.19-8 would be less than significant.

5.19.5.5 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
The area considered for cumulative impacts are the service areas of SCE for electricity, SoCalGas for natural gas, and the service boundaries of the various telecommunications providers. Other projects within these service areas would increase electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications demands.

The CPUC has identified the Integrated Energy Policy Report as “the appropriate venue for considering issues of load forecasting, resource assessment, and scenario analyses, to determine the appropriate level and ranges of resource needs for load serving entities in California” (CEC 2020). The report shows that California’s electricity sector is leading efforts to reduce GHG emissions and there has been an increase in electricity consumption of only 10 percent while California’s economy grew by 54 percent between 2000 and 2018 (CEC 2020). Natural gas consumption is expected to level out between 2020 and 2030 with no significant increase due to energy savings from new building standards and the implementation of City and County ordinances that require new construction to have all-electric appliances and heating (CEC 2020).

In addition, all future projects developed within the SCE service areas would implement the requirements of the California Energy Code and CALGreen Building Code. New buildings would also use new energy-efficient appliances and equipment, pursuant to the Appliance Efficiency Regulations. Counties and cities review project design plans against these codes and ensure compliance before issuing construction permits. These measures would reduce the overall consumption of electricity and natural gas.

The energy providers and telecommunications providers that serve the City indicate that they have the capability to serve future increases in population within their service areas without significant changes to the existing infrastructure. In addition, the Proposed General Plan includes policies that would contribute to minimizing inefficient, wasteful, or unnecessary energy consumption and ensure compliance with State, regional, or local plans for renewable energy, therefore avoiding the need for new or expanded electric power and natural gas facilities. Therefore, the Proposed General Plan would not result in a cumulatively considerable impact to electric power, natural gas, or telecommunication facilities and cumulative impacts would be less than significant.
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5.19.6 References
California Department of Finance (CDF). 2023, July 19. Table P-2A Total Population Projections 2020-2026 for California and Counties.

California Energy Commission (CEC). 2020, February. Final 2019 Integrated Energy Policy Report.

Commission Report.
———. 2021. Environmental Impact Report: Amendments to the Building Energy Efficiency Standards (2022 Energy Code). CEC-400-2021-077.
———. 2023a, September 26 (accessed). Appliance Efficiency Regulations. https://www.energy.ca.gov/rules-and-regulations/appliance-efficiency-regulations-title-20/ appliance-efficiency-proceedings.
———. 2023b, December 22 (accessed). Electricity Consumption by Planning Area. http://www.ecdms.energy.ca.gov/elecbyplan.aspx.
———. 2023c, December 22 (accessed). Gas Consumption by Planning Area. http://www.ecdms.energy.ca.gov/gasbyplan.aspx.

California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) 2023. 2022 CALGreen Code.

CalRecycle. 2019a. Jurisdictional Disposal and Alternative Daily Cover (ADC) Tons by Facility. Accessed December 21, 2023.
https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/DisposalReporting/Destination/DisposalByFacility. ———. 2019b. SWIS Facility/Site Activity Details for El Sobrante Landfill. Accessed December 21, 2023. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/SolidWaste/SiteActivity/Details/2280?siteID=2402. ———. 2019c. Jurisdiction Waste Diversion Program Summary: Wildomar, 2021. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/DiversionProgram/JurisdictionSummary. ———. 2021. State of Disposal and Recycling in California, for Calendar Year 2020. ———. 2022. Annual Reporting: Disposal Rate Calculator: Wildomar, 2022. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/LGCentral/AnnualReporting/DisposalRateCalculator.

Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District (EVMWD). 2016a, August. 2016 Recycled Water System Master Plan.
———. 2016b, August. 2016 Sewer System Master Plan Final Report. ———. 2016c, August. 2016 Water System Master Plan.
———. 2021a, June. 2020 Urban Water Management Plan.
———. 2021b, December. Elsinore Valley Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan. ———. 2022 (revised). Sewer System Management Plan.
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———. 2023a. December 14. Regulations for Waste Discharge and Sewer Use, Ordinance No. 279. ———. 2023b. EVMWD Undergoes Regional Water Reclamation Facility Expansion. Accessed December 15, 2023. https://evmwd.com/evmwd-undergoes-regional-water-reclamation-facility-expansion/. ———. 2023c. Sedco Hills and Avenues Septic to Sewer Conversion Project. Accessed December 29, 2023. https://evmwd.com/septic/.
———. 2024a. EVMWD Design Standards and Drawings. Accessed February 2, 2024. https://evmwd.com/development/design-standards-and-drawings/. ———. 2024b. Biennial Budget: Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025.

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health (RDEH). 2022, November 11. Local Agency Management Plan for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems. ———. 2024. Waste. Accessed January 9, 2024. https://rivcoeh.org/waste.

Riverside County. 2024a. Riverside County Stormwater & Water Conservation Tracking Tool. Accessed January 10, 2024. https://rcwatershed.org/permittees/water-conservation-tool/. ———. 2024b. Riverside County LID BMP Handbook. Accessed on January 10, 2024. https://rcwatershed.org/permittees/riverside-county-lid-bmp-handbook/.

Riverside County Department of Waste Resources (RC Waste). 2024. Our Department. Accessed January 9, 2024. https://rcwaste.org/our-department.

Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (RCFCWCD). 2011. Design Handbook for Low Impact Development Best Management Practices.
———. 2018. Riverside County Santa Margarita Watershed Region Design Handbook for Low Impact Development Best Management Practices.
———. 2023. District Overview. Accessed December 22, 2023. https://rcflood.org/district-overview. ———. 2024. Master Drainage Plan and Area Drainage Plan GIS-map. Accessed January 10, 2024. https://content.rcflood.org/MDPADP/.

State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). 2023a. CA Drinking Water Watch, Water Systems Details for Farm Mutual Water Company. Accessed December 27, 2023. https://sdwis.waterboards.ca.gov/ PDWW/JSP/WaterSystemDetail.jsp?tinwsys_is_number=3549&tinwsys_st_code=CA. ———. 2023b, Storm Water Program : Trash Implementation Program. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/ water_issues/programs/stormwater/trash_implementation.html, accessed December 22, 2023.

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). 2020, September 3 (adopted). Demographics and Growth Forecast, Technical Report.

Southern California Edison. 2023, December 22 (accessed). 2021 Power Content Label. https://www.sce .com/sites/default/files/custom-files/Web%20files/2021%20Power%20Content%20Label.pdf. 747

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Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). 2023, October (accessed). SGMA Basin Prioritization Dashboard. https://gis.water.ca.gov/app/bp-dashboard/final/.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). 2023. America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA). Accessed December 31, 2023. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/ americas-water-infrastructure-act-2018-awia.

Wildomar, City of. 2019, December 11. Master Drainage Plan. ———. 2023a. Jurisdictional Runoff Management Program Santa Margarita Region, Order NO. R9-2013- 0001, As Amended by Order NOS. R9-2015-0001 and R9-2015-0100. ———. 2023b, June 14. Capital Improvement Program, Fiscal Year 2023-2024 through 2027-2028. ———. 2024. Project Specific Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) Template. Accessed January 10, 2024. https://www.cityofwildomar.org/199/NPDES/.
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5.20 WILDFIRE
This section of the DEIR evaluates the potential for implementation of the proposed project to exacerbate wildfires in the City of Wildomar. Cumulative impacts related to wildfire are based on Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) mapped by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).

FOCAL POINT
This chapter provides an overview of the wildfire risks in the City of Wildomar. The eastern and western portions of Wildomar are in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Additionally, there is some risk of landslides and flooding after the occurrence of wildfire. Although wildfire risks are present in the City, with adherence to building practices, such as the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone Fire Safe Regulations, California Building Code and California Fire Code, and the General Plan Safety Element policies included in this section, impacts would be reduced to less than significant.

5.20.1 Environmental Setting

5.20.1.1 REGULATORY BACKGROUND
Federal Regulations
National Fire Protection Association Standards
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides are developed through a consensus standards development process approved by the American National Standards Institute. NFPA standards are recommended (advisory) guidelines in fire protection but are not laws or "codes" unless adopted or referenced as such by the California Fire Code or local fire agency. Specific standards applicable to wildland fire hazards include, but are not limited to:
 NFPA 1141, Fire Protection Infrastructure for Land Development in Wildlands  NFPA 1142, Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting  NFPA 1143, Wildland Fire Management
 NFPA 1144, Reducing Structure Ignition Hazards from Wildland Fire  NFPA 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations
State Regulations
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is dedicated to the fire protection and stewardship of over 31 million acres of California’s wildlands. CAL FIRE provides fire assessment and 749

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