NOTICE OF PREPARATION
DATE:
June 24, 2016
TO:
Responsible Agencies, Trustee Agencies, and Interested Parties
FROM:
County of Siskiyou
806 S. Main Street
Yreka, CA 96097
Attention:
Greg Plucker, Director
Community Development
(530) 842-8203
gplucker@co.siskiyou.ca.us
SUBJECT: Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report
Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: June 24 – July 25, 2016
The County of Siskiyou (County) is the lead agency for the preparation of an
Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project
(Proposed Project) in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The purpose of this NOP is to describe the Proposed Project and potential
environmental effects in order to allow agencies and interested parties to provide input
on the scope and content of the EIR. Comments on this Notice of Preparation (NOP)
are due to the County by 5:00 p.m. on July 25, 2016.
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Proposed Project to be evaluated in the EIR would result in operational and
physical changes to an existing bottling plant located in Siskiyou County for the
production of sparkling water, flavored water, juice beverages and teas, as detailed
below.
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
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PROJECT LOCATION
The project site consists of approximately 118 acres located within the boundaries of
unincorporated Siskiyou County, adjacent to the northern limits of City of Mt. Shasta
(refer to Figure 1 – Regional Location and Figure 2 – Site and Vicinity). It is situated
approximately 1,000 feet west of the North Mt. Shasta Boulevard/Ski Village Drive
intersection and is bordered by Ski Village Drive to the north, McCloud Railroad and
Shasta Avenue to the south, and low-density residential development to the east.
Crystal Geyser Water Company (Applicant) owns other parcels in the County and City
of Mt. Shasta adjacent to and in the immediate area of the Plant (refer to Figure 3 –
Aerial Photograph). The project site is zoned M-H (Heavy Industrial), R-R-B-1 (Rural
Residential Agricultural), and AG-2 (Non-Prime Agricultural). Additional details are
presented below.
Project Address:
210 Ski Village Drive, Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
County:
Siskiyou County
APNs:
037-060-030, -040, -050, -060;
037-070-060, -070, -080, -090, -210;
037-140-020, -090; and,
037-160-010, -020, -030
USGS Quad:
Township 40 North, Range 4 West, Section 9 City of
Mount Shasta USGS 7.5-minute topo quadrangle
Long./Lat.:
Centroid of the project site: 41° 19' 36.64" N., 122° 19'
02.85" W
Elevation:
3,682 feet above mean sea level
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In 2013, the Applicant purchased the former Coca-Cola Dannon (CCDA Waters) water
bottling facility (Plant), located at 210 Ski Village Drive in unincorporated Siskiyou
County, California.
The Plant was originally constructed from 1998 through 2000 by the then-named
company Dannon Waters of North America (prior to Dannon becoming CCDA Waters)
and began operation in January 2001. The Plant facilities consisted of a 145,000square-foot building, a domestic well pump house, an approximately 228,000-gallon fire
suppression tank, a deep groundwater production well (DEX-6), stormwater detention
basin, parking areas, and truck delivery entrance and roadway extension from Mt.
Shasta Boulevard. An Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) was
prepared for the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB) as
the lead agency in August 2001 for the proposed construction of an onsite leach field for
industrial rinse wastewater and associated expansion of the Plant’s operations. The
leach field was subsequently permitted by the CVRWQCB and constructed onsite in the
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
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2
southern portion of the property. In 2010, CCDA Waters’ facility was closed and the
majority of equipment used for the bottling operation was removed. The Applicant is
currently remodeling the Plant for production of their beverage products.
The Plant is classified as a permitted use under the property’s Heavy Industrial zoning
designation which defines “bottlers, distilleries, and wineries” as a permitted use.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Within the 118-acre project site boundaries, the actual Plant area encompasses
approximately 18 acres located on the south side of Ski Village Drive where
approximately 10 acres are occupied by the plant building, roads and driveway, and
parking areas (see Figure 3). Currently, the Plant is not in operation. Some
infrastructure and equipment required for the proposed bottling operation has been
installed, updated, and/or remodeled.
The Big Springs Aquifer underlies the Shasta National Forest. Topography at the site is
gently sloping in a southerly direction.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Proposed Project to be evaluated in the EIR consists of the operation of the
existing Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant as a bottling facility with the addition of several
proposed components and utility/infrastructure options. Existing facility components and
proposed modifications are shown on Figure 4 – Site Plan. The proposed addition of
an onsite permanent caretaker/security residence requires a conditional use permit from
the County, which triggers the need for compliance with CEQA. The EIR will analyze all
Plant modifications undertaken and proposed by the Applicant to resume operation of
the Plant.
Bottling Facility and Proposed Operations
Operation of the Plant would involve use of groundwater from the Big Springs Aquifer
obtained through an existing production well (DEX-6) at the Plant to bottle three
different types of beverage products: sparkling water (flavored and unflavored), teas,
and juice beverages. Bottling operations would consist of: (1) water processing
(carbonation, tea brewing, juice beverage batching); (2) blow molding of polyethylene
terephthalate (i.e., PET) plastic bottles from purchased preforms; and (3) filling bottles
with product and packaging. Water processing would include proprietary ozonation,
carbon filtration, micro-filtration, ultraviolet treatment, softening, deionizing and flavor
injection. An aseptic bottling line has been installed for beverage products. Aseptic
filling produces a package that can be stored, shipped and sold at ambient
temperatures. Sterility is achieved through a flash-heating process.
The Plant would initially operate one bottling line for all three types of beverage
products. Over time, depending on market conditions, production may be expanded to
two bottling lines. It is anticipated that the facility would start production of sparkling
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
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water with five production days per week in 2017. Production of sparkling water may
increase in the future to seven production days per week. Tea and juice production
would start at a later date, in 2018 or 2019. It is anticipated that a second bottling line
would be installed in 5 to 7 years. The Proposed Project is expected to initially employ
approximately 30 people with one bottling line, and ultimately employ approximately 60
people with two bottling lines at full production.
In its daily operations, the Applicant plans to operate the Plant up to 24 hours per day
(depending on demand), Monday through Friday, with one day shift on Saturday from
7:00 am to 3:30 pm and one swing shift starting Sunday evening at 11:00 pm. At full
production, Plant operations are estimated to include up to 50 truck trips per day (25
trucks per day) and up to 120 employee vehicle trips per day (assuming 60 employees).
Trucks would be directed to use the same route as with former CCDA Waters
operations, utilizing the I-5 and Abrahams Lake Road Interchange and traveling on
North Mt. Shasta Boulevard to Crystal Geyser Water Company Drive to the south end of
the Plant. Truck traffic would not enter downtown nor would it travel on Ski Village
Drive.
Water Use
Two wells exist on the project site—one for domestic supply and one for bottling
operations (DEX-6), consistent with past usage by the Dannon facility (Figure 4). The
domestic well would supply water for the fire tank, domestic use (e.g., faucets, drinking
fountains, sinks, bathrooms, and shower facilities), and some operational uses (e.g.,
Clean in Place [CIP], cooling, boilers, and hose bibs). The second well, production well
DEX-6, would supply water to the Plant to produce beverage products.
According to CCDA records from 2006 and 2007, the former plant operations used
approximately 160 gallons per minute (gpm) from well DEX-6 on a monthly average
basis. The new Plant would use approximately 80 gpm on a monthly average basis
(with an annualized average of 115,000 gallons per day) with one production line, and
approximately 150 gpm on a monthly average basis with two production lines (with an
annualized average of 217,000 gallons per day). The projected annual average draw
from DEX-6 at full production is approximately 129-acre feet with one production line
and 243 acre-feet with two production lines (at full production capacity), compared to
the average annual draw of 260-acre feet from the former plant operations when
operating at full capacity with two production lines.
Boilers
Up to four propane boilers may be operated under full buildout of the Proposed Project
to provide steam for the manufacturing process in beverage production and during CIP
cleaning and sanitizing. Four 7.1 MMBtu/hr propane-fired boilers with low NOx burners,
have been installed within the existing Plant building. Propane fuel would be stored
within an existing 30,000-gallon, LPG horizontal pressurized vessel tank located east of
the Plant building with a second propane tank proposed (if needed) for future use
(Figure 4).
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
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Caretaker/Security Residence
The Applicant proposes to construct a caretaker/security residence at the facility. The
residence would allow for continuous, onsite security at the Plant. Once constructed,
the residence may be continuously occupied by security personnel and/or a caretaker.
The residence could accommodate an individual caretaker/security personnel as well as
his or her family.
Wastewater
The Proposed Project will generate three general categories of wastewater: 1) domestic
wastewater from domestic use (faucets, drinking fountains, sinks, bathrooms, etc.); 2)
industrial process wastewater containing cleaning agents from CIP water, boiler
discharge, cooling tanks, etc; and 3) industrial rinse wastewater from filter backwash,
the bottle rinsing process, and floor wash.
Under the former plant operations, domestic wastewater and industrial process
wastewater was discharged to the City’s sewer system and treated at the City’s WWTP,
and industrial rinse wastewater was discharged to an on-site leach field system in
accordance with Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) Order 5-01-233 issued by the
CVRWQCB. The existing on-site leach field is designed to accommodate 72,000 gpd.
CCDA Waters operated two bottling lines and used the leach field to its capacity.
Domestic Wastewater Flows: The volume of domestic wastewater generated by the
Proposed Project would be similar to the flows from the former operations. During the
initial phase of the Proposed with one bottling line and approximately 30 employees,
domestic wastewater flows would be approximately 300 gpd, and would increase to 600
gpd at full production with two bottling lines and 60 employees.
Industrial Wastewater Flows: The Proposed Project’s new, dry aseptic bottle air rinse
system would significantly reduce water used in manufacturing and, ultimately, industrial
wastewater generation when compared to the former plant operations. A pH
neutralization system would be installed at the Plant to balance the pH of all industrial
wastewater discharge so that it falls within the range of pH 6.5 – 8.5. During the initial
phase of the Proposed Project, the volume of industrial rinse wastewater would range
from 5,000 gallons per production day (gppd) to infrequent peaks of up to 25,000 gppd,
and the volume of industrial process wastewater would range from approximately
20,000 gppd to approximately 54,000 gppd. At full production, discharges would
approximately double, with industrial rinse wastewater discharges ranging from 10,000
gppd to infrequent peaks of up to 50,000 gppd, and industrial process wastewater
discharges ranging from ranging from 40,000 to 100,000 gppd. It should be noted that
industrial rinse and industrial process wastewater peak discharge rates would not occur
at the same time.
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
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Treatment and Discharge Options: Several options for discharging wastewater from
the Plant will be considered in the EIR, including:
1. Discharging all domestic and industrial wastewater into the City of Mt. Shasta’s
municipal sewer system.
2. A combination of discharging domestic wastewater and the industrial process
wastewater into the City of Mt. Shasta’s municipal sewer system, with industrial
rinse wastewater into the Plant’s onsite leach field (as currently permitted by the
CVRWQCB).
3. Discharging domestic wastewater to the City of Mt. Shasta’s municipal sewer
system and treating all industrial wastewater onsite then discharging it to the
existing leach field. Under this option, an on-site treatment system would be
installed and the existing leach field system expanded to a capacity of 108,000
gpd. This option would also require the Applicant to apply for a new discharge
permit from the CVRWQCB.
4. Discharging domestic wastewater to the City of Mt. Shasta’s municipal sewer
system and treating all industrial wastewater onsite then discharging it to an onsite location through reclaimed water irrigation. During the winter the treated
industrial wastewater would be sent to the leach field. This option would also
require installation of an on-site treatment system, expansion of the leach field to
108,000 gpd, and a new discharge permit from the CVRWQCB.
For all options, industrial wastewater would be directed to floor drains where it would be
centralized and directed through the pH neutralization system before discharging.
Energy Use and Associated Infrastructure
As a result of the Proposed Project, the Plant will require more electrical power than the
previous bottling plant operations. To meet the additional energy demands, propane fuel
generators may be used to supply electrical power for Plant operations as well as for
backup capacity in the event that electrical power available through the local utility
(PacifiCorp) is insufficient.
PacifiCorp has initiated proceedings with the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC) for a new substation and associated transmission upgrades, including a service
addition and transmission upgrade that would result in additional power to serve
regional needs, including those generated by the Proposed Project. The completion of
CPUC proceedings may occur by 2017. Actual construction of the substation and
transmission upgrades, however, will depend on the internal priorities of PacifiCorp in its
system-wide improvements. In the event that sufficient electrical power is provided to
the Plant through PacificCorp infrastructure, the generators would remain onsite as a
backup power supply.
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
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Offsite Improvements
Several off-site infrastructure improvements may be necessary to implement the
Proposed Project. These may include but are not limited to the following:

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Sewer line upgrades within existing easements within the City of Mt.
Shasta;
Electrical transmission line upgrades.
The environmental effects of off-site improvements will be evaluated within the EIR.
PROBABLE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS AND SCOPE OF THE EIR
The EIR to be prepared for the Proposed Project will provide a project-level analysis of
the impacts pertaining to the resource areas identified below. At this time, the County
has determined that an EIR is the appropriate environmental document for the
Proposed Project. The EIR will be prepared in accordance with the CEQA Statues,
CEQA Guidelines, and other applicable regulatory requirements. The impact analysis
will consider impacts resulting directly from the Proposed Project as well as the
Proposed Project’s contribution to cumulative impacts in the project area. The EIR will
identify feasible mitigation measures to reduce or avoid project-specific and cumulative
impacts. To ensure that the EIR adequately addresses the full range of issues and
alternatives to the Proposed Project and that all significant issues are identified,
comments and suggestions are invited from all interested parties.
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Aesthetics – Potential impacts to the visual character of the project site
and surrounding public view areas, as well as potential impacts to
ambient lighting conditions.
Air Quality – Potential impacts from fugitive dust emissions and odor
from construction activities, as well as emissions of criteria pollutants
from operation of the Plant, including but not limited to operations of
pumps, boilers, and generators.
Biological Resources – Potential impacts on threatened and endangered
species, migratory birds, and other biological resources from
construction activities and operational nuisances associated with lighting
and noise.
Cultural Resources – Potential impacts to cultural resources, including
any historic and archeological resources that may be impacted from
construction activities. The EIR will also address potential impacts to
tribal cultural resources in accordance with AB 52.
Geology and Soils – Potential impacts to soils, including the potential for
soil erosion during construction, and the level of geologic and seismic
risks. The level of risk to people and property will be determined based
on analysis of the project site’s soil properties and seismic hazard
potential.
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
Notice of Preparation
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Potential impacts associated with
greenhouse gas emissions from Plant operations, including indirect
emissions from energy use, truck trips and worker vehicle trips.
Hazards – Potential impacts from the use of hazardous materials and
chemicals required for plant operation and any construction.
Hydrology and Water Quality – Potential impacts to surface and
groundwater on a local and regional level, including impacts associated
with potential changes in hydrological conditions within the Big Springs
aquifer as a result of proposed groundwater use.
Land Use and Planning – Potential impacts associated with land use,
including consistency with adopted plans and policies of the County and
City of Mt. Shasta, including but not limited to the respective General
Plans and Zoning Ordinances, as well as compatibility with surrounding
land uses.
Noise/Vibration – Potential impacts on ambient noise levels from any
construction-related and operation-related noise. Primary issues to be
addressed include increases in ambient noise from operation of
equipment on site, including HVAC and chillers, that may impact
sensitive receptors and potential land use conflicts regarding noise.
Traffic and Circulation – Potential impacts to surrounding roadways
resulting from the increase in truck traffic along roadways during
operation.
Utilities and Service Systems – Potential impacts from increased
demands on public utilities and service systems from water use,
wastewater, and solid waste generated by Plant operations.
Growth-Inducing and Cumulative Effects – Potential growth-inducing and
cumulative impacts resulting from the Proposed Project pursuant to
CEQA Guidelines 15126(d) and 15130.
DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATIVES
CEQA Guideline 15126.6(a) requires that an EIR describe a range of reasonable
alternatives for the project. The EIR will evaluate the comparative merits of the
alternatives, which will include a No-Project alternative and may include the following:
an Alternate-use alternative and a Reduced-Intensity alternative. The alternatives will
be determined, in part, by public input received during the NOP comment period. To
ensure that the EIR adequately addresses the full range of issues and alternatives
related to the Proposed Project and that all significant issues are identified, comments
and suggestions are invited from all interested parties.
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
Notice of Preparation
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SCOPING MEETING
A scoping meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at 5:00 PM to
solicit input from interested agencies and members of the public. A Proposed
Project overview will be presented followed by a public comment period. The
meeting will occur at the following location:
Gymnasium
Sisson School
601 E. Alma Street
Mt. Shasta, CA 95067
Note: Do not mail comments to the above address.
NOP SCOPING COMMENTS
Written comments regarding the scope of the EIR should be addressed to:
County of Siskiyou, Community Development Department
c/o: Greg Plucker, Director
806 S. Main Street
Yreka, CA 96097
(530) 842-8203
gplucker@co.siskiyou.ca.us
The close of the scoping and comment period is at 5:00 PM on July 25, 2016.
Date: June 24, 2016
By:
Greg Plucker, Director
County of Siskiyou, Community
Development Department
County of Siskiyou, Crystal Geyser Bottling Plant Project EIR
Notice of Preparation
9
Project Site
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Project Site
Siskiyou
SOURCE: ESRI Data, 2016; AES, 6/9/2016
Crystal Geyser NOP / 216537
Figure 1
Regional Location
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Crystal Geyser NOP / 216537
Figure 3
Aerial Photograph
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Sugar Tanks
Water Tank
Cooling Tower
Chiller and
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Transformers
Domestic Well and Pump
Water Storage
(Production Water from DEX-6)
Truck Docks
Domestic
Water Tank & Pad
Sugar
Unloading
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CO2 and
Nitrogen Tank
Backup
Generator
Truck
Parking
Propane
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Proposed
Parking Stall
Proposed
Caretaker/Security
Residence
SOURCE: Kibler & Kibler, 3/6/2016; USDA aerial photograph, 7/2014; AES, 6/21/2016
Proposed
pH Neutralization
Building
Proposed
Propane Power Generators
Vaporizers
Potential Future
Propane Tank
Crystal Geyser NOP / 216537
Figure 4
Site Plan