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8.A. - Page 85 <br /> Section 4: Evaluation of Environmental Impacts <br /> a) Less than Significant Impact. The project is the adoption and implementation of a policy document that facilitates <br /> the production of housing and provides information on infrastructure within the City and the City sphere of influence <br /> and does not include any components that will change or conflict with water quality regulations or any waste <br /> discharge standards. All new development projects must comply with the City's local procedures to control storm <br /> water runoff to prevent violations of regional water quality standards, in accordance with its co- permittee <br /> obligations under the countywide municipal storm water permit program, a component of the NPDES program of <br /> the federal Clean Water Act. All future development must connect to sewer or an adequate septic system as <br /> appropriate; direct discharges of wastewater to surface or ground waters will not be permitted. A less than <br /> significant impact will occur as a result of the implementation of these existing requirements and procedures. <br /> b) Less than Significant Impact. If the project removed an existing groundwater recharge area or substantially <br /> reduced runoff that results in groundwater recharge, a potentially significant impact could occur. Redwood City <br /> overlies the southern portion of the San Mateo Plain underground sub -basin of the Santa Clara Valley Groundwater <br /> Basin. The main sources of natural recharge to the local groundwater aquifers include infiltration of water along <br /> the streambeds in the upland areas and to a lesser extent, percolation of precipitation and return flows from applied <br /> irrigation water. Groundwater is not currently used as a source of municipal water supply in the City. <br /> The proposed project is the adoption and implementation of a policy document that will not authorize any specific <br /> development project or change any existing land use policies regulating location or intensities of uses, will not <br /> result in installation of any groundwater wells, and will not otherwise result in a direct withdrawal of groundwater. <br /> Future new development allowed under the General Plan will require municipal water from the Hetch Hetchy <br /> regional water system operated by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SSPUC) and recycled water <br /> for non - potable uses. Therefore, potential development should not result in a depletion of groundwater supplies. <br /> Impacts related to groundwater recharge and depletion will be less than significant. <br /> c) Less than Significant Impact. The City of Redwood City is largely developed. Wind and water both cause <br /> erosion that could be deposited in local or regional washes and other water bodies. Development of the <br /> Opportunity Sites may alter the existing localized drainage patterns and increase the amount of impervious <br /> surfaces through the development of vacant properties. Although allowed development within proximity of creeks, <br /> streams, and drainages within the Bayfront and upland areas could result in the alteration of existing drainage <br /> patterns, the General Plan includes several policies and implementation programs that will protect and preserve <br /> creeks and establish development limitations within the proximity of existing waterways. Policies NR -5.3 through <br /> NR -5.6, shown in Section 4.4e, will establish creek buffer zones for new development and establishes limitations <br /> for new developments near existing creeks and streams, with the exception for floating home communities and <br /> marinas, which will work to maintain existing drainage patterns within the City. <br /> Any impact to the drainage pattern and potential erosion hazards will be mitigated on a project -by- project basis by <br /> adherence to the NPDES requirements as well as the City's Municipal Code. The General Plan contains strategies <br /> to reduce erosion through goals, policies, and programs related to the protection of drainage systems. Impacts <br /> related to erosion and siltation will be less than significant. <br /> d) Less than Significant Impact. The Housing Element update will not directly result in the alteration of the course <br /> of a stream or river. However, future development of the Opportunity Sites may alter the existing drainage patterns <br /> within the Redwood City area and increase the amount of impervious surfaces through the development of vacant <br /> residentially zoned areas. Any future development will be required to size storm water drainage facilities <br /> appropriately. Policies and implementation in the General Plan could reduce construction - related water quality <br /> impacts by limiting construction activities within close proximity to existing waterways, support stormwater pollution <br /> mitigation measures, and encourage the use of design and landscaping to minimize surface runoff with new <br /> development as described in policies NR -5.2 through NR -5.7, shown previously in Section 4.4e, NR -7.1, and NR- <br /> 7.2, shown below. Policy BE -24.8 could also support building designs to reduce stormwater runoff associated with <br /> new development. Impacts will be less than significant. <br /> 46 Redwood City Housing Element Initial Study <br />