Table Of ContentLOS ANGELES COUNTY DRAINAGE AREA
SEPULVEDA DAM BASIN
ANGELFEST MUSIC AND ARTS
FESTIVAL
Draft Environmental Assessment
Draft Finding of No Significant Impact
Prepared by
US Army Corps of Engineers
Los Angeles District
915 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90017-3401
With Technical Assistance by
City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks
April 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Draft Environmental Assessment
Page
Chapter 1, Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1-1
1.1 Proposed Project Site ....................................................................................................... 1-2
1.1.1 Woodley Park .................................................................................................... 1-7
1.1.2 Sepulveda Basin Cricket Fields ......................................................................... 1-8
1.1.3 Woodley Park Archery Range ........................................................................... 1-8
1.1.4 Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Area .......................................................................... 1-8
1.1.5 Japanese Garden................................................................................................. 1-8
1.2 Parking Areas .................................................................................................................. 1-8
1.2.1 Woodley Lakes Municipal Golf Course ............................................................ 1-9
1.2.2 Balboa Sports Center ......................................................................................... 1-9
1.2.3 Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex ...................................................................... 1-9
1.2.4 Van Nuys Model Airplane Field ........................................................................ 1-9
1.2.5 Orange Line Parking Lots .................................................................................. 1-9
1.2.6 Other Satellite Parking Areas (Outside the Basin) ............................................. 1-9
1.3 Surrounding Land Uses ................................................................................................. 1-10
1.4 Authority........................................................................................................................ 1-10
1.5 Background .................................................................................................................... 1-11
1.6 Purpose and Need .......................................................................................................... 1-11
1.7 RAP’s Project Objectives .............................................................................................. 1-12
Chapter 2, Alternatives ...................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.1 Alternatives Eliminated From Consideration .................................................................. 2-1
2.1.1 Alternate Locations in the Basin ........................................................................ 2-1
2.1.2 Two Day Event in Sepulveda Basin .................................................................. 2-2
2.1.3 Alternate Locations Outside of the Basin .......................................................... 2-3
2.2 Alternatives Carried Forward for Comparison .............................................................. 2-11
2.2.1 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 2-11
2.2.2 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 2-11
2.3 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................................. 2-12
2.3.1 Festival Characteristics .................................................................................... 2-13
2.3.2 Festival Production Schedule ........................................................................... 2-30
2.3.3 Pre-Festival Site Preparation Activities ........................................................... 2-31
2.3.4 Post-Festival Restoration ................................................................................. 2-34
Chapter 3, Baseline Conditions ......................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1 Physical Land Resources ................................................................................................. 3-1
3.1.1 Earthquake Faults .............................................................................................. 3-1
3.2 Water Resources .............................................................................................................. 3-1
3.3 Air Quality ....................................................................................................................... 3-2
3.3.1 Local Air Quality ............................................................................................... 3-2
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3.3.2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions ................................................................................ 3-4
3.4 Climate Change ............................................................................................................... 3-5
3.5 Noise ................................................................................................................................ 3-6
3.5.1 Existing Noise Environment .............................................................................. 3-7
3.6 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................... 3-11
3.6.1 Vegetation Communities ................................................................................. 3-12
3.6.2 Common Wildlife ............................................................................................ 3-13
3.6.3 Federally Listed Species .................................................................................. 3-14
3.6.4 Jurisdictional Resources ................................................................................... 3-15
3.6.5 Wildlife Corridors ............................................................................................ 3-15
3.6.6 Protected Trees ................................................................................................ 3-15
3.7 Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................... 3-16
3.7.1 Known Cultural Resources .............................................................................. 3-16
3.8 Hazardous Materials and Wastes ................................................................................... 3-17
3.9 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice .................................................................. 3-18
3.10 Transportation and Traffic ............................................................................................. 3-19
3.11 Utilities .......................................................................................................................... 3-21
3.12 Aesthetics ...................................................................................................................... 3-21
3.13 Recreation Resources .................................................................................................... 3-22
3.14 Public Health and Safety ............................................................................................... 3-22
3.14.1 Floodplain Management .................................................................................. 3-23
3.14.2 Emergency Responders .................................................................................... 3-24
3.15 Sustainability ................................................................................................................. 3-24
Chapter 4, Alternatives Impacts Assessment .................................................................................. 4-1
4.1 Physical Land Resources ................................................................................................. 4-1
4.1.1 Thresholds of Significance ................................................................................ 4-1
4.1.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ..................................................................... 4-1
4.1.3 Alternative 2 ...................................................................................................... 4-2
4.1.4 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................ 4-3
4.1.5 Environmental Commitments ............................................................................ 4-3
4.2 Water Resources .............................................................................................................. 4-3
4.2.1 Thresholds of Significance ................................................................................ 4-3
4.2.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ..................................................................... 4-4
4.2.3 Alternative 2 ...................................................................................................... 4-5
4.2.4 No Action Alternative ........................................................................................ 4-5
4.2.5 Environmental Commitments ............................................................................ 4-6
4.3 Air Quality ....................................................................................................................... 4-7
4.3.1 Thresholds of Significance ................................................................................ 4-7
4.3.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ..................................................................... 4-7
4.3.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-12
4.3.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-12
4.3.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-12
4.4 Noise .............................................................................................................................. 4-13
4.4.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-13
4.4.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-13
4.4.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-25
4.4.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-25
4.4.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-25
4.5 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................... 4-27
4.5.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-27
4.5.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-27
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4.5.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-32
4.5.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-32
4.5.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-33
4.6 Cultural Resources ......................................................................................................... 4-35
4.6.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-35
4.6.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-36
4.6.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-36
4.6.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-36
4.6.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-36
4.7 Hazardous and Toxic Waste Materials .......................................................................... 4-37
4.7.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-37
4.7.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-37
4.7.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-38
4.7.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-38
4.7.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-38
4.8 Socioeconomics and Environmental Justice .................................................................. 4-39
4.8.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-39
4.8.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-39
4.8.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-39
4.8.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-40
4.9 Traffic and Transportation ............................................................................................. 4-40
4.9.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-40
4.9.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-40
4.9.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-44
4.9.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-44
4.9.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-44
4.10 Utilities .......................................................................................................................... 4-45
4.10.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-45
4.10.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-45
4.10.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-46
4.10.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-46
4.11 Aesthetics ...................................................................................................................... 4-46
4.11.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-46
4.11.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-47
4.11.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-48
4.11.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-48
4.11.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-48
4.12 Recreation ...................................................................................................................... 4-48
4.12.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-48
4.12.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-49
4.12.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-52
4.12.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-52
4.12.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-52
4.13 Public Health and Safety ............................................................................................... 4-52
4.13.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-52
4.13.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-53
4.13.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-54
4.13.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-55
4.13.5 Environmental Commitments .......................................................................... 4-55
4.14 Sustainability ................................................................................................................. 4-56
4.14.1 Thresholds of Significance .............................................................................. 4-56
4.14.2 Proponent’s Preferred Alternative ................................................................... 4-56
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4.14.3 Alternative 2 .................................................................................................... 4-58
4.14.4 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 4-58
4.15 Cumulative Impacts ....................................................................................................... 4-58
4.15.1 Past Actions ..................................................................................................... 4-58
4.15.2 Present Conditions ........................................................................................... 4-59
4.15.3 Future Actions .................................................................................................. 4-59
Chapter 5, Public Involvement, Coordination, and Consultation ................................................. 5-1
5.1 Project Delivery Team ..................................................................................................... 5-1
5.2 Agency Coordination ....................................................................................................... 5-1
5.3 Institutional Involvement ................................................................................................. 5-2
5.4 Public Involvement .......................................................................................................... 5-2
Chapter 6, Environmental Laws, Regulations, and Policy Compliance ....................................... 6-1
6.1 Federal ............................................................................................................................. 6-1
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §4321 et seq.) ....................................... 6-1
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. § 661 et seq.) ................................ 6-1
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.) ........................................................ 6-1
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. §703, et seq.) ...................................................... 6-2
Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq.) ..................................................................... 6-2
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.) ......................................................................... 6-3
Noise Control Act of 1972 (42 U.S.C. §4901 et seq., as amended) ................................ 6-3
National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. §300101 et seq.) .................................... 6-3
Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 U.S.C. §770aa et seq.) ............................ 6-4
National Trails System Act .............................................................................................. 6-4
Occupational Safety and Health Administration ............................................................. 6-5
Executive Order (EO) 11514, Protection and Enhancement of Environmental
Quality, amended by Executive Order 11991, Relating to Protection and
Enhancement of Environmental Quality ............................................................ 6-5
Executive Order 11988 Floodplain Management (as amended/modified by EO
13960) ................................................................................................................ 6-5
Executive Order 12088, Federal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards ............ 6-6
Executive Order 12898 Environmental Justice ............................................................... 6-6
Executive Order 13045 Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks
and Safety Risks ................................................................................................. 6-6
Executive Order 13653, Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate
Change ............................................................................................................... 6-7
Chapter 7, List of Preparers ............................................................................................................. 7-1
List of Reviewers ....................................................................................................................... 7-1
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ........................................................................................ 7-1
Chapter 8, References ........................................................................................................................ 8-1
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Appendices
A: Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Modeling
B: Noise Modeling
C: Traffic Management Plan
D: Environmental Commitments
Figures
1 Regional Location Map ................................................................................................................. 1-3
2 Sepulveda Basin Recreational Amenities ...................................................................................... 1-4
3 Proposed Project Site Boundary .................................................................................................... 1-5
4 Conceptual Traffic Management Plan ........................................................................................... 1-6
5 Festival Site Stage Areas ............................................................................................................. 2-16
6 Festival Site Plan ......................................................................................................................... 2-17
7 Fencing ........................................................................................................................................ 2-24
8 Decibel Scale and Common Noise Sources .................................................................................. 3-8
9 Long-Term Noise Monitoring Locations ...................................................................................... 3-9
10 Nearest Off-Site Sensitive Receptor Locations ........................................................................... 4-20
Tables
1 Vehicle Parking Locations .......................................................................................................... 2-29
2 Air Quality Data Summary (2012 – 2014) For Project Area ........................................................ 3-3
3 South Coast Air Basin Attainment Status ..................................................................................... 3-4
4 Long-Term Ambient Noise measurement results ....................................................................... 3-10
5 Ambient Noise Levels in the Wildlife Area ................................................................................ 3-11
6 Proposal Site Demographics ....................................................................................................... 3-19
7 Roadways and Traffic Volumes .................................................................................................. 3-20
8 Public Services in the Vicinity of the Basin ................................................................................ 3-25
9 De Minimis Thresholds ................................................................................................................. 4-8
10 Proposed Project Annual Criteria Pollutant Emissions (Tons per Year) ...................................... 4-9
11 Proposed Project Annual GHG Emissions (Metric Tons Per Year) ........................................... 4-11
12 Noise Emission Reference Levels and Usage Factors ................................................................ 4-15
13 Construction Noise Levels .......................................................................................................... 4-16
14 Noise Levels from Outdoor Stage Sound Systems...................................................................... 4-21
15 Noise Levels Increase Over Ambient Condition ......................................................................... 4-22
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CHAPTER 1
Introduction
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is in receipt of a request by the City of Los
Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP), the recreational lessee at Sepulveda
Recreation Area at the Sepulveda Dam Basin (Basin) for a proposed special event
entitled AngelFest (Festival), to be managed by Make Good Group.
Pursuant to 36 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) Section 327.21, the Corps is
authorized to approve special events at its water resources development projects.
Under this authority, special events at Corps projects are prohibited unless written
permission has been granted by the District Commander. An appropriate fee may be
charged for an event under the authority of Section 327.23. Consistent with the C.F.R.
and RAP’s lease, the public shall not be charged any fee by the sponsor of such event
unless the District Commander has approved in writing (and the sponsor has properly
posted) the proposed schedule of fees. The District Commander has authority to revoke
permission, require removal of any equipment, and require restoration of an area to pre-
event condition, upon failure of the sponsor to comply with terms and conditions of the
permission or these regulations. RAP has requested such permission from the District
Commander for this special event.
Under the terms of RAP’s recreation lease with the Corps, any special event exceeding
1,000 people requires individual permission from the Corps. Special events with more
than 5,000 people or which include activities not already evaluated in the Corps’ 2011
Sepulveda Dam Basin Master Plan and Environmental Assessment (EA) are subject to
evaluation in an event-specific National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document.
Special events must also comply with the Basin Master Plan Appendix A5: Policy on
Special Events at the Sepulveda Dam Basin. If a proposed event does not comply with
these conditions, the Corps may consider a waiver of the Special Events Policy.
The Basin is a federally authorized flood risk management project constructed, operated,
and maintained by the Corps. Its primary purpose is to provide flood risk management for
the residents of Los Angeles County residing downstream of Sepulveda Dam. The Corps
will review RAP’s request in light of Basin’s primary purpose of flood risk management,
applicable Federal laws, and Corps regulations and policies in assessing whether the
proposed event is a compatible use with Corps’ operations and land use
guidelines/policies, and whether it is the public interest.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
The Corps has prepared this Draft EA to evaluate the potential impacts of the event as
proposed by RAP, which is described here as the Proponent’s Preferred Alternative,
along with other alternatives including the No Action Alternative. This Draft EA has
been prepared pursuant to NEPA (42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations published at 40 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) Part 1500 et seq., the Corps’ Engineering Regulation 200-2-2, Procedures for
Implementing NEPA (33 CFR Part 230), other environmental laws, Executive Orders, and
Corps regulations and policies. This Draft EA is being circulated to the public and
relevant agencies for a 30-day period.
The Sepulveda Dam Basin Master Plan and Environmental Assessment (2011) describes
the baseline conditions for the natural and human resources within the Basin. Those
portions of Chapters 3 and 4 of the Master Plan EA that describe baseline environmental
conditions relevant to the alternatives are incorporated here by reference.
1.1 Proposed Project Site
The Sepulveda Dam Flood Control Basin (Basin) is located in the San Fernando Valley
about 17 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles and two miles southwest of the
community of Van Nuys, within the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California.
Regional access is provided by two freeways, the Ventura Freeway (U.S. Highway
101[US-101]) and the San Diego Freeway (Interstate 405 [I-405]), and lies northwest of the
junction of these freeways. Local access is provided from Victory Boulevard, Woodley
Avenue, Balboa Boulevard, and Burbank Boulevard (see Figure 1).
The Proposed Project Site would encompass approximately 195 acres within the Basin and
would include Woodley Park (I and II) and activity fields, the cricket fields, the archery
range, the Japanese Garden, and the northern landscaped part of the Sepulveda Basin
Wildlife Area (Woodley III) (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Parking areas within the Basin
would include the Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex, Woodley Lakes Municipal Golf
Course, Balboa Sports Center, model airplane field (north of the airstrip), and the Orange
Line parking lot at Victory and Balboa. Parking areas outside the Basin and outside Corps
jurisdiction include the Orange Line parking lot at Erwin Street, the Van Nuys Flyaway lot,
Pierce College, and the paved parking lots located northeast of the intersection of Balboa
Boulevard and Stagg Street, south of San Fernando Valley Parole Unit. The Festival and
parking areas within Corps’ jurisdiction are collectively referred to as the Proposed Project
Site (see Figure 4).
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Description:SEPULVEDA DAM BASIN. ANGELFEST MUSIC AND ARTS. FESTIVAL. Draft Environmental Assessment. Draft Finding of No Significant Impact.
