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This task order is made and entered into as of the 7th day of October 2021 by and
between South Tahoe Public Utility District, hereinafter referred to as "DISTRICT" and
Sierra Ecotone Solutions, LLC, hereinafter referred to as "CONSULTANT".
In consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and conditions as addressed in the
Master Agreement dated January 15, 2015, and as specifically hereinafter set forth, the
parties do hereby agree as follows:
1. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Task Order No. 20 is to provide Professional Services to
support DISTRICT's environmental and permitting requirements, and to perform
a Tiered Initial Study to comply with California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), for the Apache Avenue, Bijou neighborhood, Herbert -Walkup
neighborhood, and Lake Tahoe Boulevard Waterline Replacement Projects
located in the City of South Lake Tahoe, County of El Dorado, California.
2. SCOPE OF WORK
A full description of services is contained in CONSULTANT's proposal dated
September 23, 2021, and further outlined therein by Tasks 1-4. This proposal is
attached hereto, marked as EXHIBIT "A" and by this reference is made a part of
this task order.
3. STAFFING
Services will be performed by Garth Ailing, Project Manager and Senior Scientist.
CONSULTANT shall not change staffing without approval by DISTRICT. Any
changes shall provide for equivalent qualifications as far as possible and
practical.
4. TIME OF PERFORMANCE
Work for this Task Order No. 20 shall commence on October 7, 2021, and be
completed on or before December 31, 2021, unless otherwise directed by the
DISTRICT.
5. PAYMENT
Payment to CONSULTANT for services performed under this Task Order shall
be in accordance with CONSULTANT'S unit fee schedule for the person(s)
assigned to the project task.
The cost ceiling for this Task Order shall not exceed Fourteen Thousand Six
Hundred Thirty -Five Dollars ($14,635.00) except as provided in Article IV of the
January 15, 2015, Master Agreement.
1
6. LAF30R CODEiw
All State of California prevailing wa e laws must be compiled with In the
performance of work related to this Tas'�' Order. These include, bW are not limfted
iLabori i+i i 0 through 1860.
MELONIE* BOARD
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SIEPRA ECOTONE SOLUTIONS
530.41611W - PO Box 1297 Zephyr Cove� NV 89449 - SleffaEcowne6clutions-mm
Mr. Adrian Combes
S*Yth Ta6te Tyl#lic Titilitr1i strict
1275 Meadow Crest Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Sierra Ecotone Solutions (SES) appreciates the opportunity to support South Tahoe
Public Utility District's (District) environmental and permitting requirements for the
District's Herbert Walkup, Apache, Bijou I and Lake Tahoe Boulevard Pipeline
Rehabilitation and Replacement Projects. As requested, SES has prepared a scope of
work and estimated budget for the preparation of California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Tiered Initial Study for this project. In order to prepare the scope of work
fcrovided below, the following assumptions are used:
• A Tiered Initial Study (IS) will be the appropriate CEQA document;
• The new IS will tier off the Initial Study prepared for the District Wide Sewer and
Water Pipeline Network Replacement Project;
• The project will be located within the right-of-way (ROW), in ROWs currently
occupied by water or sewer pipes;
• The District will prepare necessary permit applications and pay associated filing fees;
• A Biological Assessment will be prepared for the project; and
• The District will provide the background materials and data (e.g., project locations,
equipment lists, cultural resource reports, GIS files, and project descriptions)
necessary to prepare the IS;
• It is anticipated this project will be either exempt from Tahoe Regional Planning
Agency (TRPA) review or Qualified Exempt under the existing Memorandum of
Understanding between the District and TRPA. If a Public Service Application is
required the content and analysis included in the IS/Neg Dec will be incorporated for
use as the TRPA Initial Environmental Checklist and will be billed under separate
cover;
• If a phase of the work proposed is required to extend beyond the ROW, to ROWs that
are not currently occupied by underground water or sewer utilities or into ROWs in
sensitive areas, additional site -specific analysis may be required due to potential
impacts to resources. The level of analysis and environmental review will b,i
tependent • project specifics and site characteristics.
Scope of or
• Meetings with • Staff
Sierra Ecotone Solutions (SES) will visit the sites, collect available background
information for the project area from the District, and review environmental ••
and survey/study documents prepared for other projects that have been permitted in the
project area. SES will obtain maps and drawings of the proposed sewer and waterlines to
be replaced and a general description of the proposed project from the District, and will
prepare a written project description that is •': adequate detail for use in the Tiered Initial
Study. During the course of preparing the environmental documentation, up to two (2)
meetings will be attended by the SES project manager to discuss the Project with District
and agency staff to ensure adequacy of the analysis and to discuss and resolve potential
issues.
SES will use the description of the project prepared in Task I to prepare thi
Administrative Draft Tiered IS. The Administrative Draft Tiered IS will provide:
• A brief description of the project;
• The location of the project;
• A proposed finding that the project will not have a significant effect on t
environment (this is anticipated but will be determined during analysis);
• Analysis in an Initial Study documenting reasons to support the finding-, and
• Mitigation measures, if any, which will be included in the project to avo
•• significant effects. 'I
The Administrative Draft IS/Neg Dec will be prepared by SES for review by the District.
The • IS will rely on the analysis • for the District Wide Sewer and Water
Pipeline Network Replacement Project. The proposed projects include portions of the
project areas that lie within TRPA delineated Stream Environment Zones (SEZ). These
areas were previously eliminated • the District Wide Project Area. Inclusion • the
SEZ areas for these projects will be analyzed • •. to the following subject areas
only and will tier off the analysis in the District Wide IS: Biological Resources and
Hydrology and Water Quality.
CEQA Appendix G criteria will be utilized • the evaluation criteria in the Tiered IS.
Following one round • review by the District, SES will revise as appropriate, produce
the Tiered IS. If new significant impacts are not identified and it is determined the project
• as Categorical Exemption in accordance with Article 19 • 15300, then the
■
Tiered Initial Study will not be required to be circulated, and Task 3 would not be
performed.
Task 3 - Final Environmental Documentation and Attend Hearing
Upon conclusion of the circulation period of the IS/Neg Dec, a Final Environmental
Documentation package will be prepared for District review and presentation to the
District Board for approval. Once the Board has approved the Project, a Notice of
Determination will be prepared and sent to the El Dorado County Clerks office for 30-
day posting. The filing of a Notice of Determination starts a 30-day statute of limitations
on court challenges to the District's approval under CEQA. SES will also coordinate with
the Clerks office concerning the District's submittal of wildlife impact fees.
Task 4 — Preparation of Biological Assessment
SES will prepare a Biological Assessment (BA) to analyze potential impacts to wildlife
(terrestrial and aquatic) and vegetation in accordance with US Fish and Wildlife Service
guidelines as outlined in the attached guidance memorandum. Direct, indirect and
cumulative effects will be disclosed for special status species and habitats that may be
present within the project areas and defined area of potential effects (APE).
Recommendations will be included if necessary to reduce or avoid adverse impacts to
sensitive and special status species and habitats that may be present within the project
area or APE. Based on the analysis and determinations in the BA, CA Waterboard will
coordinate needs for consultation, conference, and or technical assistance between US
Fish and Wildlife Service and Contractor. Follow-up work that lies outside the scope of
this document and may be required includes a nesting bird survey that would be required
to be performed prior to commencement of construction, dewatering plans and water
sampling and traffic control measures that may be necessary to mitigate impacts.
M
Tasks I and the Initial Study for the project will be completed by the end of November
2021 assuming a notice to proceed from the District is forthcoming. The Hearing
identified in Task 2 may occur concurrently with the 30-day circulation. Task 3 and 4
will be complete within 10 days after the completion of the circulation assuming no
major comments are received on the IS/Neg Dec. This schedule assumes that the District
will provide SES with project base mapping and a general definition of the proposed
action within 30 days of receipt of notice to proceed and that the IS/Neg Dec will begin
circulation approximately 9 weeks after design documents and project description are
provided to SES.
The estimated work effort for each task is provided below. Tasks will be completed by
Garth Alling (Project Manager and Senior Scientist), and Jennifer DeMartino (GIS and
Mapping Support).
Task
Task I - Review Background Information/Prepare Project
Description/Attend meetings (2)
Task 2 - Prepare Initial Study/Negative Declaration and Atten
Hearing (1)
Task 3 - Final Environmental Documentation and Attend
Hearing (1)
Hours/Rate
25 at $135
d 20 at $135
14 at $95
10 at $135
4 at $95
T 40 at $135
Direct Costs L
Total Estimated Costs I
$5,400
$100
$14,635
Should you have any questions concerning the assumptions or proposed scope/costs,
please do not hesitate to contact me at 530.416.2440.
Sincerely,
IWAUMM-1