Final Environmental Assessment for

Construction and Operation of

The Molecular Foundry

At

Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Berkeley, California

For the U. S. Department of Energy

Office of Science

Office of Basic Energy Sciences (SC-10)

DOE/EA-1441

February 2003
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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

PREFACE

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) requires that Federal agencies consider 

the environmental consequences of their proposed actions before decisions are made. In 

complying with NEPA, the U.S. Department of Energy follows the Council on Environmental 

Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR ] 1500 through 1508) and 

Department of Energy’s (DOE) own NEPA implementing procedures (10 CFR 1021). The 

purpose of an Environmental Assessment (EA) is to provide Federal decision-makers with 

sufficient evidence and analysis to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact 

Statement (EIS) or issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). This EA has been 

prepared to assess the environmental consequences resulting from the construction and operation 

of the proposed Molecular Foundry facility within the boundaries of the Lawrence Berkeley 

National Laboratory (LBNL).

The objectives of this EA are to (1) describe the underlying purpose and need for DOE action; 

(2) describe the Proposed Action and identify and describe any reasonable alternatives that satisfy 

the purpose and need for DOE action; (3) describe baseline environmental conditions at LBNL; 

(4) analyze the potential indirect, direct, and cumulative impacts to the existing environment from 

implementation of the Proposed Action and other reasonable alternatives; and (5) compare the 

impacts of the Proposed Action with the No Action Alternative and other reasonable alternatives. 
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CHAPTER 1.0

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) proposes to build a six-story, approximately 

86,500 gross square foot (gsf) Molecular Foundry building; and an adjacent 8,000 gsf, partly 

below-grade Central Utility Plant building (for a combined 94,500 gsf), to be funded and operated 

by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences. The buildings would be 

located on an approximately 21⁄2-acre site in the southeastern portion of the LBNL facility in the 

Oakland-Berkeley hills (see Figures 1 and 2). The site is on mostly undeveloped slopes between 

Building 72, which is the National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM), and Building 66, 

which is the Surface Science and Catalysis Laboratory (SSCL). 

The Molecular Foundry building would include laboratories, offices, and conference and seminar 

rooms; the Central Utility Plant would also serve as the foundation for 16 surface parking spaces. A 

new plaza and pedestrian bridges would connect or provide ready access between the proposed 

Molecular Foundry building and adjacent scientific buildings. The Proposed Action would extend 

Lee Road approximately 350 feet, and widen a portion of the road to accommodate two-way traffic.

The Molecular Foundry would be staffed and/or used by an estimated 137 persons, of whom an 

estimated 59 would be staff persons, 36 would be students, and 42 would be visitors (i.e., visiting 

scientists) to the Center. The Proposed Action would require removal of an existing paved 

18-space parking lot and retaining walls, as well as excavation into an undeveloped hillside. 

Approximately two-dozen mature trees would be removed along with approximately one-dozen 

saplings. The Proposed Action would replant or replace trees, generally in-kind and in or around 

the site. LBNL anticipates it would reuse all soil excavated for the Molecular Foundry to 

construct the new Lee Road extension and widen the existing roadway. This Proposed Action 

would be a resource for the Department of Energy’s participation in the National Nanotechnology 

Initiative (NNI). Nanotechnology is the design, fabrication, characterization, and use of 

materials, devices, and systems through the control of matter at the nanometer-length scale.1 

Nanoscience will develop the understanding of building blocks at the nanometer-length scale and 

the methods by which they are assembled into multi-component devices.

Alternatives to the Proposed Action include a reduced size building configuration, location of the 

building on a different on-site location, and a No Action alternative. Several off-site alternatives 

were considered but were not found to reasonably meet the purpose and need for the Proposed 

Action. Of the reasonable alternatives analyzed, the Proposed Action is found to best meet 

DOE’s purpose and need for action.

 

1 The term “nanometer” describes a length of one-billionth of a meter. 

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Although the Proposed Action would take place on a partially developed site that is generally 

surrounded by existing buildings and roads, the site is near to designated Critical Habitat of the 

Federally-listed Alameda Whipsnake. To minimize any potential but unexpected impact to the 

Alameda whipsnake, several mitigation measures are proposed (see below). In addition, the 

Proposed Action would result in minor increases in stormwater runoff, air pollutant emissions, 

visual quality impacts, noise impacts, and the potential to disturb unanticipated archaeological 

resources. It would produce marginal increases in traffic and parking demand, as well as 

incremental demand increases for water, energy, wastewater treatment, waste disposal, and public 

services. 

The following impact is found to be potentially significant without mitigation in this 

Environmental Assessment:

Impact:

Although the site is not located in USFWS-designated critical habitat, due to the potential 

for Alameda whipsnake movement into the project area, mitigation measures would be 

implemented to ensure that whipsnakes are protected to the greatest extent possible during 

project construction

Mitigation Measures:

• Prior to the initiation of excavation, construction, or vehicle operation, the project 

area shall be surveyed by a designated monitor, trained in Alameda whipsnake 

identification and ecology by a qualified biologist, to ensure that no Alameda 

whipsnakes are present. This survey shall not be intended to be a protocol-level 

survey, but rather one designed to verify that no snakes are actually on site. 

• All on-site workers shall attend an Alameda whipsnake information session 

conducted by the designated monitor. This session shall cover identification of the 

species and procedures to be followed if an individual is found on site. 

• All lay-down and deposition areas shall be inspected each morning by a designated 

monitor to ensure that Alameda whipsnakes are not present. All construction 

activities that take place on the ground shall be performed in daylight hours. Vehicle 

speed on site shall not exceed 15 miles per hour. Construction materials, soil, 

construction debris, or other material shall be deposited only on areas where 

vegetation has been mowed and any snakes present would be readily visible. 

• The site is subject to annual vegetation management involving the close-cropping of 

all grasses and ground cover on the project area; this management shall be done prior 

to initiation of construction. Re-mowing shall be done if grass or other vegetation on 

the project site becomes high enough to conceal whipsnakes during the construction 

period.

Significance After Mitigation: Less than significant. 
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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

NEPA PROCESS

A Draft Environmental Assessment was circulated for Agency and public review and comment 

on December 10, 2002; comments were requested to be received by January 13, 2003. 

As part of the public notification process, only one individual or organization commented on the 

draft, regarding water service, wastewater, and water conservation. The EA has been revised to 

clarify the source and distribution of LBNL's water service and to address adequacy of 

wastewater system capacity (see Section 4.3.10). Section 3.1.4 has been revised to clarify 

requirements for irrigation and selection of water-conserving plants.

Additional refinements and clarifications have been made to the Final EA. Please refer to 

Appendix E (page E-1) for a detailed account of changes from the Draft EA. None of these 

additions, changes, or refinements represents the introduction of substantial new information that 

would indicate a new or significant impact or that would change the conclusions drawn from this 

analysis.
1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION 

AND OPERATION OF THE MOLECULAR FOUNDRY AT 

LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LABORATORY,

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA

Page

1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii

2.0 PURPOSE AND NEED 1

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES 4

 3.1 Proposed Action 4

 3.2 No Action Alternative 24

 3.3 Different Building Configuration Alternative 24

 3.4 Alternate Building Site (On-Site) Alternative 24

 3.5 Alternatives Considered But Eliminated from Further Analysis 25

4.0 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 26

 4.1 Regional and Local Setting 26

 4.2 Environmental Resources Not Affected 26

 4.3 Environmental Resources Potentially Affected 27

 4.3.1 Geology, Soils, and Seismicity 27

 4.3.2 Hydrology and Water Quality 28

 4.3.3 Biological Resources 29

 4.3.4 Historic and Archaeological Resources 29

 4.3.5 Visual Quality 30

 4.3.6 Traffic and Circulation 33

 4.3.7 Air Quality 34

 4.3.8 Noise 37

 4.3.9 Public Services 39

 4.3.10 Public Utilities 40

 4.3.11 Energy 40

 4.3.12 Hazards and Human Health 41
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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viii

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES 43

 5.1. Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Action 43

 5.1.1 Geology, Soils, and Seismicity 43

 5.1.2 Hydrology and Water Quality 45

 5.1.3 Biological Resources 46

 5.1.4 Historic and Archaeological Resources 49

 5.1.5 Visual Quality 50

 5.1.6 Traffic and Circulation 52

 5.1.7 Air Quality 54

 5.1.8 Noise 58

 5.1.9 Public Services 59

 5.1.10 Public Utilities 60

 5.1.11 Energy 61

 5.1.12 Hazards and Human Health 62

 5.2 Analysis of Abnormal Events and Accident Scenarios 63

 5.3 Environmental Consequences of the Proposed Alternatives 64

6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS 66

 6.1 Projects in Vicinity of Proposed Action 66

 6.2 Cumulative Impact Areas 67

7.0 REFERENCES 74

8.0 PERSONS AND AGENCIES CONSULTED 77

9.0 GLOSSARY 78

10.0 APPENDICES 81

 A. Standard (Required) LBNL Project Features A-1

 B. Land Use Analysis B-1

 C. Socioeconomic Analysis C-1

 D. Environmental Justice Analysis D-1

 E. Revisions to this Environmental Assessment E-1

LIST OF FIGURES

1 LBNL Location iii

2 Proposed Action Site Location iv

3 Existing Site with Existing Utilities 7

4 Molecular Foundry Footprints with proposed Utilities 8

5 Area of Disturbance for Construction 9

6 Molecular Foundry Site Plan 10

7 Molecular Foundry Elevations 11

8 Molecular Foundry Floor Plans 12

9 Molecular Foundry Floor Plans 13

10 Molecular Foundry Floor Plans 14

11.A Project Site Photograph—Easterly View 31

11.B Project Site Photograph—Strawberry Canyon from Site 31
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LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)

11.C Project Site Photograph—Building 72 32

11.D Project Site Photograph—Buildings 62 and 66 32

11.E Project Site Photograph—Long Range Westerly View 35

LIST OF TABLES

1 Anticipated Molecular Foundry Staff 5

2 Molecular Foundry Building Summary 16

3 Typical Commercial Construction Noise Levels 39

4 Forecast Construction Noise Measurement Data 58

5 Summary of Action Alternatives 71
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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

CHAPTER 2.0

PURPOSE AND NEED

The Proposed Action would help implement DOE’s participation in the National Nanotechnology 

Initiative by locating a nanoscale research facility in a collaborative National Laboratory 

environment that integrates users and researchers from diverse scientific disciplines, and that is in 

close proximity to a synchrotron radiation source (LBNL’s Advanced Light Source, or “ALS”) 

and electron microscopy facilities (National Center for Electron Microscopy).

The NNI proposes significant increases in the national investment in nanotechnology to ensure 

that the United States maintains and exploits its competitive position in this rapidly developing 

field. The proposed Molecular Foundry would be consistent with the recommendation of the 

Interagency Working Group on Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology (IWGN) of the 

National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), which urges that the DOE make nanoscale 

research facilities part of its contribution to the NNI.

European nations and Japan are already heavily committed to nanoscale science, which promises 

to revolutionize technology in the 21st century. An example of this commitment is the planned 

$300 million center for microtechnology and nanotechnology to be located near Grenoble, 

France. Grenoble is a major research center that is already home to the European Synchrotron 

Radiation Facility (ESRF) and the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) neutron source. This choice of 

sites reflects the importance of pairing nanotechnology centers with synchrotron radiation – a fact 

also recognized by the IWGN. The LBNL’s proposed Molecular Foundry would also be 

consistent with the mission of the Office of Science: “To advance basic research and the 

instruments of science that are the foundations for DOE’s applied missions, a base for U.S. 

technology innovation, and a source of remarkable insights into our physical and biological world 

and the nature of matter and energy.” LBNL’s proposed Molecular Foundry would provide a 

unique opportunity for a major advance in carrying out that mission.

The nanoscale research facilities envisioned by DOE would have unique scientific and 

engineering capabilities that combine state-of-the-art nanofabrication equipment with advanced 

nanocharacterization tools, theory, and computation. They will form a cornerstone of the nation’s 

nanotechnology revolution, shedding light on the full spectrum of nanomaterials and providing an 

invaluable resource for universities and industry. In summary, nanoscale research facilities, and 

the Molecular Foundry in particular, would:

• Advance fundamental understanding and control of materials at the nanoscale dimension.
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• Create an environment that would support multidisciplinary, multi-investigator research 

having a scope and complexity far beyond the traditional scale of the individual 

investigator or small group efforts.

• Establish the foundation for developing nanotechnologies important to DOE.

• Furnish users from the entire nation, and in fact the world, from government labs, 

universities, and industry with state-of-the-art equipment, and optimize use of existing 

LBNL national user facilities that harness electrons and photons for materials 

characterization.

• Provide a formal mechanism for short-term and long-term collaborations and partnerships 

among DOE laboratory, academic, and industrial researchers.

• Produce training opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral associates in 

interdisciplinary nanoscale science, engineering, and technology research.

The Molecular Foundry would integrate researchers from various fields, including materials 

science, chemistry, biology, and computational science, to work and conduct research 

collaboratively. A few examples of the types of products and innovations hoped for with this sort 

of collaborative nanoscience and technology at the proposed Molecular Foundry include:

• Inexpensive and accessible terabyte-scale computer memories for personal computers and 

electronic devices;

• Quantum computers capable of making advances in complex, enormous tasks such as 

cryptography and climate modeling;

• Compact, ultra-sensitive, broad-spectrum chemical and biological sensors for homeland 

security protection of the food and water supply, and for diagnosis of disease; 

• Remote sensing devices;

• High-efficiency machine lubric ants for increased efficiency and performance; 

• light-weight, durable materials;

• Low-cost, high-efficiency photovoltaic cells for increased energy self-sufficiency;

• Ultrahigh selectivity catalysts for energy-efficient, low-waste production of products for 

industry and consumer use;

• Biologically based devices and energy transduction systems for increased efficiency;

• Nanoscale (and thereby highly selective, effective, and safer) drug delivery agents, 

biomedical and microsurgical devices;

• Efficient, durable displays for electronic devices;

• New instruments to image and manipulate atoms, molecules, and small particles for 

miniaturization of devices and instruments;
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• Faster, more compact computer chips.

The proposed Molecular Foundry laboratories would be designed and constructed to facilitate 

research activities in a wide variety of fields required for progress in this new area of science. 

These labs would support a broad research effort focusing on “hard” nanometer-sized materials 

(e.g., rigid, static, structural elements such as nanocrystals, tubes and lithographically patterned 

structures) as well as “soft” nanometer-sized materials (e.g., flexible, dynamic, organic materials 

such as polymers, dendrimers, DNA, proteins and whole cells).

The Molecular Foundry would house facilities for research in six areas: 1) nanofabrication, 

2) inorganic nanostructures, 3) organic, polymer/biopolymer synthesis, 4) biological 

nanostructures, 5) theory, and 6) imaging and manipulation. These facilities would be equipped 

with state-of-the-art instruments and would be staffed by full-time scientists and technicians. The 

facilities would function as user facilities, available to scientists from universities, industry, and 

government laboratories whose research proposals have been peer-reviewed by a study panel. 

This combination of equipment, collaborative staff and disciplines would allow users a highly 

interdisciplinary approach.
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CHAPTER 3.0

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND 

ALTERNATIVES

3.1 PROPOSED ACTION

 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory proposes to construct the Molecular Foundry, a sixstory laboratory building of approximately 86,500 gross square feet and a utility building of about 

8,000 gross square feet, in the southeast corner of the LBNL site. It would be used for the 

interdisciplinary exploration and study of nanosciences, and would be a national use facility open 

to visiting scientists. Construction would take place between January 2004 and February 2006.

3.1.1 OPERATIONS

STAFFING

Approximately 137 staff and students would occupy the Molecular Foundry. Staff includes 

directors; scientific, technical and administrative personnel; and visiting scientists. LBNL 

estimates that approximately 24 of the future Molecular Foundry staff are currently employed 

within the LBNL site; these would contribute to filling the projected 59 new staff positions. In 

addition, 42 visiting scientists would occupy the Molecular Foundry building along with an 

estimated 36 students and post-doctoral fellows using the laboratorie s. 

It is assumed that the estimated 24 current LBNL staff who would join the Molecular Foundry 

from existing positions at LBNL would create vacancies that would most likely be filled within 

one year of their leaving. For that reason, with the exception of the six Directors, all 137 staff 

positions are considered in the analysis for impacts. The six Directors would not be replaced and 

would likely retain their office and lab spaces in their current LBNL locations, as well as in the 

new buildings.

3.1.2 BUILDING DESIGN

The Molecular Foundry facility would consist of two buildings: a six-story 86,500-gsf Molecular 

Foundry, and 8,000-gsf Central Utility Plant (see Figure 6) for a total approximate building area 

of 94,500 gsf. The Molecular Foundry would include both buildings and other proposed site 

improvements, and would include wet and dry laboratories, laboratory support facilities, 

equipment rooms, conference/seminar rooms, and offices. In addition, “specialty” rooms 
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TABLE 1

ANTICIPATED MOLECULAR FOUNDRY STAFF

Category Molecular Foundry Staffing Levels1

Directors 6

Scientific Staff 25

Technical Staff 18

Administrative Staff 10

Visiting Scientists 42

Students / Post Docs 36

Totals 137

_________________________ 

1 Numbers are estimates and may be approximate.

SOURCE: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2002)

consisting of controlled temperature rooms, low vibration rooms and “clean” rooms would be 

provided. Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 provide a cross-section and floor plans for the proposed 

Molecular Foundry building.

Laboratory suites, totaling approximately 28,500 assignable square feet (sf), would provide the 

Molecular Foundry with wet and dry laboratories, scientific support equipment space, and shared 

workstations for laboratory technicians. Private offices and workstation areas also would be 

provided for employees, visitors, and students. The Molecular Foundry would house facilities for 

research in six areas (see Figure 7). Figures 8, 9, and 10 provide proposed floor plans. The first 

floor, concrete slab-on-grade, would accommodate isolated, vibration-controlled, mass 

dampening equipment foundations for the Imaging and Characterization Laboratory. All 

laboratories would be constructed as semi-clean room space, with controls to maintain the 

pressure in the labs with respect to adjacent vestibules. The laboratory spaces would also be 

constructed to easily adapt to changing research needs for size, layout, temperature and pressure 

control, cleanliness, and utilities. The Foundry would include 48 fume hoods associated with its 

proposed laboratories. All fume hoods would exhaust to the roof and would meet all applicable 

vertical velocity and stack height requirements. The expected useful life of the building would be 

50 years.

One of LBNL’s goals is to incorporate cost-effective sustainable design principles into all LBNL 

construction. The Molecular Foundry’s environmental impact would be minimized through its 

proposed building materials; waste minimization; energy and atmospheric impact minimization; 

water use efficiency; and environmental quality. As part of the Proposed Action, LBNL prepared 

a Conceptual Design Report that includes a complete list of the sustainable building design 

features that would be considered during design. The structural design would account for all 

loads to which the structure may be subject, including dead, live, wind, and seismic. The design 

would comply with the requirements of the California Building Code (CBC) and LBNL’s 

“Lateral Force Design Criteria.”
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The exterior skin of the building would be a non-reflective material that would minimize glare 

and exterior maintenance. The building roof would be a single sheet co-polymer roofing 

membrane system with heat reflective coating to reduce solar gain. Metallic screens would be 

located on the roof to conceal rooftop mechanical exhaust equipment.

The Molecular Foundry would also be designed in conformance with requirements for Group “B” 

and “H-8” research laboratory occupancies as defined by the CBC, Type II Fire Resistive 

Construction, and with seismic safety and fire safety code requirements. The building would 

comply with disabled accessibility requirements in accordance with the Americans with 

Disabilities Act (ADA).

The proposed Central Utility Plant (CUP) building would be oriented along a north/south axis 

perpendicular to the adjacent Molecular Foundry and would be constructed to accommodate 

approximately 16 overhead surface parking spaces (i.e., on its roof) (see Figure 7, Longitudinal 

Section Looking East). This rooftop would also provide pedestrian access to the main entrance of 

the Molecular Foundry on its first floor. As described in Table 2, the Central Utility Plant 

building would house the various utility systems needed for the Molecular Foundry, including 

equipment for heater boilers, chillers and the chilled water pumps, air handling units, fans, an 

electrical distribution system, and connections to the LBNL existing fire alarm system.

3.1.3 CIRCULATION

As further described below, as part of the Proposed Action, vehicular access to the project site 

would be accommodated by the extension of Lee Road, which would result in a semi-circular 

road that loops around the project site. The Proposed Action would therefore be accessible from 

two locations along Lawrence Road: at the three-way intersection of the proposed new extension 

of Lee Road, the Building 31 parking lot, and Lawrence Road north of the project site; and at the 

intersection of Lee Road and Lawrence Road, west of the project site.

In addition to vehicular access, the Proposed Action design addresses three other types of 

circulation: building occupant / pedestrian traffic circulation, service access, and fire truck / 

emergency services access. Entrances to the Molecular Foundry building would be located as 

follows: LL22 (bottom floor), loading dock on the south side of the building; LL1 (upper 

basement floor), on the north side of the building; first floor, main entrance on the north side, 

secondary main entrance on the south side; and third floor, on the east side. Access to the Central 

Utility Plant building would be provided on the southwestern corner of the building.

Each floor of the Molecular Foundry building would be organized around a main corridor that 

would access the labs, offices, meeting rooms, stairs, elevators, and building entrances (see 

Figures 8, 9, and 10). All foot traffic through the buildings would be routed through these main 

corridors, stairs and elevators. Outside the building, an exterior, landscaped terrace would span 

the distance between Building 66 and the proposed Molecular Foundry building, and would 

facilitate access between the two. (See Figures 6 and 7, Longitudinal Section Looking East.) 

 

2 The abbreviation “LL” means “lower level” (see Table 1 Figures and 7 and 8).
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TABLE 2

MOLECULAR FOUNDRY BUILDING SUMMARY

Building Level General Function

Square Feet 

(sq. ft.) Description of Facilities

4 Organic Nanostructures 13,920 sq. ft. Visitor offices, administrative offices, 

conference room, interaction room, visitor lab, 

chromatography lab, spectrography lab, cold 

room, synthesis labs

3 Biological Nanostructures 13,920 sq. ft. Visitor offices, administrative offices, 

conference room, interaction room, visitor lab, 

culture room, cell handling, optical 

characterization lab, warm room, 

freezer/storage room, cold room, glass wash 

room, synthesis labs, characterization/ 

application lab, instrument lab 

2 Inorganic Nanostructures 13,920 sq. ft. Visitor offices, administrative offices, 

conference room, interaction room, chemical 

vapor lab, dry furnace lab, visitor lab, dry 

computer room, pulsed laser deposition lab, wet 

lab/characterization lab control, flexible space

1 Theory 14,920 sq. ft. Main entrance, receptionist, seminar room, 

administrative offices for Program Director and 

staff, visitor offices, post-doctoral student 

space. Would also include link to Building 66 

at first and second floors, and pedestrian link 

from Lawrence Road

Lower Level 1 Nanofabrication Labs 17,100 sq. ft. Interaction and conference room, clean rooms, 

administrative/staff offices for imaging and 

nanofab offices, clean rooms, chemical storage, 

gowning area

Lower Level II Imaging Labs 12,720 sq. ft. Atomic manipulation UHV system, SPM/EM 

for transport measure, visitors labs, main 

analysis lab, atomic resolution UHV NC-AFM, 

microwave AFM, showers/lockers, 

shipping/receiving, flammable storage, cylinder 

holding, janitorial supply room, 

prototype/instrument test lab, NMR lab 

SUBTOTAL 86,500 sq. ft. 

N/A Utility Plant 8,000 sq. ft. HVAC cooling towers, generator, electrical 

substations, treated water fluid coolers, 

chemical treatment facilities, water heaters, air 

intake and exhaust, an office/shop, pumps, 

treated water system, etc.

TOTAL (NA) 94,500 sq. ft. (NA)

______________________________ 

SOURCE: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (2002); ESA (2002)
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Specifically, a stairway from the terrace to the balcony of the Molecular Foundry building would 

provide access to the southside main entrance on the first floor. A walkway northeast of the 

terrace would similarly allow direct access between the Molecular Foundry balcony and Building 

66. A stairway northeast of the Molecular Foundry building would provide access to the 

Lawrence Road parking lot, upslope. A short walkway, connecting to Building 72 to the north, 

would allow direct pedestrian access from Lawrence Road to the third floor entrance of the 

building. Access to the northside main entrance would be provided from a pedestrian walkway 

connecting the Molecular Foundry building to the surface parking lot atop the partially belowgrade Central Utility Plant building.

Service entry, delivery, and truck loading would take place at the westside entrance and loadingbay of the Molecular Foundry building on LL2 (the bottom floor of the building). The service 

yard is screened from view by a retaining wall to the east and by a landscape wall to the north.

Fire truck and emergency service access would be accommodated from Lee Road and adjacent to 

the Central Utility Plant building parking lot, north of the Molecular Foundry building. This 

access would also provide sufficient turn-around for emergency vehicles back onto Lee Road. 

Additional access would be provided further along Lee Road to the west and southwest of the 

building. Fire and emergency vehicle access to the east of the building would be provided from 

Lawrence Road.

ROADWAY DESIGN AND PARKING

The Proposed Action includes the extension of Lee Road by approximately 350 linear feet, from 

the southwest corner of Building 66 in a north/northwest direction to the parking area of 

Building 31. Lee Road intersects Lawrence Road northeast of Building 66, and follows a 

southwestern route, running along the eastern side of Buildings 62 and 66, curving around the 

southern perimeter of Building 62, and then running along the western sides of Buildings 62 and 

66 to the project site (see Figure 6). In addition, as part of the Proposed Action, a 160-foot 

portion of Lee Road, located at the southwest end of Building 62, would be widened from 

approximately 18 feet to approximately 24 feet to safely accommodate two-way traffic. The 

proposed extension and widening would use soil excavated for construction of the Molecular 

Foundry complex. 

Construction of the Proposed Action would displace approximately 18 existing parking spaces 

currently serving the Building 66/62 rear parking lot. Approximately 16 new parking spaces 

would be provided on the partially-above-grade-level rooftop of the Central Utility Plant 

building. The CUP building would be constructed with overhead reinforced concrete flat plate 

spanning from exterior supports spaced atop structural columns to support the parking load. 

Approximately 35 to 40 additional spaces would be required to serve the Proposed Action and to 

maintain LBNL’s desired parking ratio of 1.7 full-time equivalents (employees) per parking 

space. Those additional spaces would come from the general LBNL pool of about 2,400 parking 

spaces.
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3.1.4 SITE FEATURES

STORM DRAINAGE

The Proposed Action would add approximately 1.5 acres of impervious surface to the project site, 

which is less than 0.26 percent of the total watershed area of 585 acres. This would be added to 

the approximately 20 acres of existing impervious surface in the watershed. About half of this 

impervious surface is on land managed by LBNL. Surrounding undeveloped areas would remain 

undeveloped and permeable and would continue to support grassland and tree groves. Roads, 

walkways and parking areas would be paved with asphalt concrete or Portland cement concrete 

capable of handling appropriate vehicular and pedestrian traffic; state -of-the-art porous pavement 

would be considered for use where practical. To the greatest extent possible, existing pervious 

surfaces would be preserved to minimize the amount of storm runoff. The terrace area would be 

a combination of paved and planted areas. 

The Proposed Action would route surface water runoff into the LBNL storm drain system at 

points downslope and to the south and southeast of the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action 

would re-route an existing 12-inch storm sewer line that services this area along the newly 

constructed sections of Lee Road located south of the project site. This rerouted portion of the 

storm sewer line would extend approximately 450 feet from the northwestern area of Building 72 

to the southwestern area of Building 66. New site storm drainage would collect and discharge in 

this re-routed 12-inch line.

Where relocation of existing storm drainage facilities is required, measures would be taken to 

provide controlled diversion of storm water during construction. Specific erosion control 

measures would be detailed in the site-specific storm water permit for construction activities. 

Disturbed areas would receive final landscaping and seeding at the earliest practical time during 

construction so that ground cover would be well established by the next rainy season.

The drainage system would be capable of handling a 25-year storm of 2.5 inches of rain per hour 

and would be tied into the existing storm sewer at a junction approximately 50 feet south of the 

project site. Rainwater from the roof and balcony areas would be considered for collection and 

storage on-site for re-use as non-potable landscape irrigation water, and in other reclaimed water 

programs. Surface water drainage from the project site would be managed through the existing 

storm drain system, which discharges to a detention basin formed by a dam in Strawberry Creek.

All storm water discharged from LBNL must conform to LBNL’s Storm Water Pollution 

Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 

permit, as required by the Clean Water Act and the State Water Resources Control Board. 

Oversight and enforcement of LBNL’s SWPPP and NPDES permit are performed by the San 

Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board and the City of Berkeley.
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EARTHWORK

The Proposed Action would require excavation of approximately 32,000 cubic yards of soil to 

construct the Molecular Foundry building and the Central Utility Plant building, and to otherwise 

prepare the site for roads and walkways. This fill material would not leave the site, but would be 

used as engineered fill to construct the new Lee Road extension along the western perimeter of 

the Molecular Foundry buildings, and for the widening of Lee Road southwest of Building 62.

In all areas where excavations are to be made or fill deposited, the topsoil would first be stripped 

and stockpiled on-site for dressing finished slopes and for use in landscaped areas. Cut and fill 

slopes would not be steeper than recommended by registered geotechnical engineers. Edges of 

cut banks would be rounded to blend into the natural terrain. Because excavations would be in 

the vicinity of existing buildings, shoring, bracing and underpinning designed by a Professional 

Engineer would be used to secure excavations. Based on long-term environmental investigations 

as well as site soil sampling conducted in January 2002, the site appears to be free of 

contamination or chemicals of potential concern. 

LANDSCAPING

The Proposed Action would require the removal of approximately three-dozen trees to 

accommodate building footprints, roads, grading, and construction activities. These trees include 

Monterey pine, coastal redwood, coast live oak, and bay trees, most of which are located in the 

area adjacent to the western and southern faces of Building 72. Fewer than one dozen trees to be 

removed are downslope from the Building 66 rear parking lot, where trees occur in generally 

isolated patches. Much larger groves, consisting of up to several hundred trees each, located in 

the general vicinity, would remain untouched by the Proposed Action, including a large screening 

grove of Canary Island pines to the west, a grove of screening redwoods to the southwest, a 

riparian corridor of various trees to the west and southwest, and several contiguous groves of oak,

bay, acacia, and eucalyptus trees stretching from south of the project to the northeast. 

The Proposed Action would transplant up to ten redwood or similarly sized trees along the 

western perimeter of Lee Road to provide screening for the Proposed Action. Trees would be 

positioned to maximize screening benefits. In addition, replacement trees would be planted or 

transplanted in various locations in and surrounding the project site, particularly in the area 

between the Lee Road extension and the proposed Central Utility Plant building, which would 

receive about one dozen trees. All landscaping placed by the Proposed Action would be irrigated 

as necessary. In addition, as part of the final design process, irrigation would be designed so as to 

minimize overspray and runoff. Irrigation and landscaping are expected to be consistent with the 

State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance AB325. 

The conceptual landscaping plan for the project site consists of three zones: a “crafted” zone to be 

located to the south, “natural” zones to the west and east, and a parking zone to the north. The 

crafted zone would include the elevated terrace space between Building 66 and the Proposed 

Action, and would incorporate both hard and soft landscaping elements to physically and visually 

connect and unify the building uses. The natural zone includes the fire-resistant ground cover for 
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erosion control, as well as decorative plant materials that would be selected based on their 

indigenous, low-maintenance, and especially water-saving characteristics. Finally, the parking 

zone, which would also include some planted areas, would be located atop the proposed, belowgrade utilities building to minimize the Proposed Action’s footprint and any potential disturbance 

to the existing natural environment. The landscape design would conform to LBNL’s vegetation 

management and design guidelines.

PAVED AREAS

As stated, the Proposed Action would add approximately 1.5 acres of impervious surface to the 

project site. Surrounding undeveloped areas would remain undeveloped and permeable and 

would continue to support grassland and tree groves. Roads, walkways, and parking areas would 

be paved with asphalt concrete or Portland cement concrete capable of handling appropriate 

vehicular and pedestrian traffic. To the greatest extent possible, existing pervious surfaces would 

be preserved to minimize the amount of storm runoff. The terrace area would be a combination 

of paved and planted areas. State-of-the-art porous pavement would be considered for use where 

practical.

UTILITIES

Utilities Corridor

New water supply, electrical power, and natural gas service would be routed along the north side 

of the proposed Molecular Foundry building, from points of connection on Lawrence Road along 

the north of the Foundry building into the south side of the proposed Central Utilities Plant 

building. Two parallel above-ground treated water lines that currently traverse the project site 

would be removed and replaced (see Figure 3 and 4).

Water Supply

An existing 12-inch high-pressure cold water (HPCW) main is routed beneath Lawrence Road, 

along with fire and domestic water service to Building 72. Fire protection and domestic water 

services for the new building would be supplied via a connection to this existing 12-inch HPCW. 

New fire hydrants would be placed along the lower site with a connection to the existing 6-inch 

HPCW at the southwest corner of Building 66. The Proposed Action would install low-flow 

plumbing fixtures and water-saving appliances; other devices and new technology (e.g., drip 

irrigation, re-circulating cooling systems, etc.) would be considered or employed where 

practicable to further water conservation. Water supply would be separated into industrial and 

domestic cold water systems. The industrial system would serve lab sinks and equipment; the 

domestic system would serve kitchen, restroom, and drinking fountain functions. Water pressure 

range would be 35 to 50 pounds per square inch. Engineering and safety features such as 

backflow preventers would be installed where appropriate and feasible. All new projects at 

LBNL are subject to EBMUD’s Water Service Regulations at the time of application for service. 
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Storm Water

Existing sub-grade storm water drainage piping that currently crosses the proposed Molecular 

Foundry footprint (see Figure 3) would be re-routed to the proposed lower access road, extending 

approximately 450 feet from the lower (western) side of Building 72 to the lower (western) side 

of Building 66. New proposed site storm drains would collect and discharge into this re-routed 

line (see Figure 4).

Sanitary Sewer

An existing sub-grade 6-inch sanitary sewer line currently crosses the proposed Molecular 

Foundry building footprint (see Figure 3). This line would be re-routed to the proposed lower 

access road, extending approximately 450 feet from the lower (western) side of Building 72 to the 

lower (western) side of Building 66. Sanitary sewage from the Proposed Action would discharge 

into this re-routed line (see Figure 4).

Natural Gas

An existing sub-grade 3-inch high-pressure natural gas main currently crosses the proposed 

Molecular Foundry building footprint (see Figure 3). This line would be re-routed, extending 

approximately 210 feet between the proposed Molecular Foundry building and Building 72 (see 

Figure 4).

Compressed Air

An existing sub-grade 3-inch compressed air line currently crosses the proposed Molecular 

Foundry building footprint (see Figure 3). The line would be re-routed to the lower access road, 

extending approximately 360 feet from between Building 72 and the Central Utility Plant 

building to the lower (western) side of Building 66 (see Figure 4).

Treated Water

Existing supply and return treated water piping currently crosses the proposed Molecular Foundry 

building footprint (see Figure 3). This above-grade piping, which extends from the Building 72 

complex to Building 66, would be abandoned and removed. Treated water for Proposed Action 

operations would be supplied from the proposed Central Utility Plant building (see Figure 4).

The Central Utility Plant would supply chilled water, treated water, heated water, purified water, 

and de-ionized water to the Molecular Foundry. The chilled water would be produced by two 

350-ton centrifugal, water-cooled, variable -speed-drive chillers and two water towers located at 

the northeast corner of the Central Utility Plant building.

Power

A 12,470-volt electrical power supply would be routed from the existing LBNL SW-A5 

substation near the Strawberry Canyon entrance gate along Lawrence Road, approximately 
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1,000 feet east of the project site. The estimated load for the Molecular Foundry operations 

would be 3,800 kilovolt-amps (kVA), assuming a 30 percent spare capacity. 

A 750-kilowatt diesel generator located within the Central Utility Plant building would supply 

emergency electrical power. A 3,000-gallon aboveground, double -contained tank would supply 

fuel storage for 48 hours of generator operation. An authority to construct and a permit to operate 

from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District would be required before the emergency 

generator could be placed and used.

Natural gas for laboratory work, water heating, and space heating would be supplied to the 

Molecular Foundry from the Central Utility Plant by a tie-in on the sub-grade gas main along 

Lawrence Road. Gas would be supplied at 7-inch water column pressure at approximately four 

cfg per working outlet. LBNL’s standard gas meter, pressure regulator, and automatic seismic 

shut-off valves would be incorporated into the Proposed Action. 

Exhaust

The Molecular Foundry building would include one common system for both fume hoods and 

general exhaust. The exhaust capacity of the Foundry building is estimated to be approximately 

25,000 cubic feet per minute for the four primary fans, and 28,000 cubic feet per minute for four 

standby fans that would comprise the building exhaust system. 

An estimated 48 fume hoods would be installed as part of the Molecular Foundry. The normal 

chemical fume hoods would be variable air volume hoods. Each fume hood would be equipped 

with a hood-ventilated air sensor. Flammables and corrosives storage would take place in special 

cabinets either beneath or adjacent to a fume hood, and cabinet vents would be plumbed to the 

hood exhaust system. 

Fume hood exhausts would be located on the Molecular Foundry building roof. Discharge from 

the fume hood exhaust would meet all applicable vertical velocity and stack height requirements. 

Air intakes for the Molecular Foundry would be located in different areas of the roof. Potential 

air re-entrainment from the proximity of fume hood exhausts and air intakes would be avoided 

through specific engineering and design—including wind-tunnel modeling, if necessary—during 

the design phase of the Proposed Action.

Telecommunications 

Telecommunications services would be provided from the existing telephone and data 

communications node located south of Building 62. 

3.1.5 CONSTRUCTION

Construction would take place over a 24-month period, beginning in approximately January 2004 

and ending in approximately February 2006. Construction staging would likely take place in the 

adjacent corporation yard, downslope of the project site. The staging area would be primarily on 

two existing plateaus alongside Chicken Creek Road in the Poultry Husbandry Area. These areas 
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total approximately one-half acre and are currently and historically used for vehicle parking and 

construction laydown uses (see Figure 5).

Approximately 32,000 cubic yards would be excavated to construct the Molecular Foundry 

project: approximately 26,500 cubic yards of material would be excavated to construct the 

Molecular Foundry building, and approximately 5,500 cubic yards would be excavated to 

construct the Central Utility Plant building. 

Excavated fill material, with the exception of topsoil, would not be stockpiled for extended 

periods but would be used shortly or immediately after it was excavated. If stockpiling were to 

occur, however, it would take place within the project site boundaries and would adhere to 

LBNL’s standard construction practices and a project-specific Storm Water Construction Permit 

and Pollution Prevention Plan, such as watering as necessary to minimize dust, and the covering 

of stockpiled soil to prevent downstream water quality degradation from run-off. 

It is anticipated that some dewatering might be necessary during project excavation and 

construction; however, it would not be expected to contain any chemicals of special concern 

given the results of sampling conducted in January 2002. 3 Such water, if encountered, could 

therefore be discharged as specified in the SWPPP that would have to be in place before project 

construction could begin. It is expected that the SWPPP would rely on such practices as 

installation of silt traps, fencing, and the use of filter fabric or other measures to protect surface 

drains and storm sewers during excavation, construction, and dewatering phases of the Proposed 

Action. Specific erosion and sedimentation control measures, such as construction entrance 

stabilization, silt traps, netting on slopes, and covering of dirt piles, would be detailed in the Plan.

The foundation of the Molecular Foundry building would consist of 36-inch-diameter drilled, 

cast-in-place piers that would be approximately 40 to 45 feet long. The Central Utility Plant 

building would be constructed on a foundation of spread footings. The Proposed Action would 

not require pile driving. 

The Molecular Foundry Project Office, with support from the LBNL Construction Safety 

Engineer, would monitor the construction site for compliance with LBNL, DOE, CAL/OSHA and 

CAL/EPA, federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and with other applicable safety requirements 

identified in LBNL’s Work Smart Standards. Monitoring activities would include validation of 

the contractor’s ISM (Integrated Safety Management) program, apprising the contractor of safety 

criteria pertaining to the construction project, conducting and documenting frequent periodic 

inspections to verify contractor safety compliance, and ensuring that the construction contractor 

was meeting ongoing ES&H submittal requirements.

 

3 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and BC Laboratories, Inc., Environmental Sampling Report: Radiological, 

Organics, and Metals Sampling and Analysis at the Proposed Molecular Foundry Site, February 1, 2002.
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3.1.6 STANDARD LBNL PROJECT FEATURES

LBNL has identified several environmentally proactive measures in its 1987 Long Range 

Development Plan (LRDP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR), as amended, that are required in 

all LBNL projects and development to avoid or minimize potentially significant environmental 

impacts. These mitigation measures have been adopted as part of the LRDP EIR by The Regents 

of the University of California, and thus are required of all LBNL activities pursuant to the 

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Consequently, all such measures relevant to the 

design, construction, and operation of the proposed Molecular Foundry are included in the 

Proposed Action description as standard features of all such LBNL projects. These measures are 

pertinent to such environmental resource areas as geology; hydrology and water quality; 

biological resources, visual quality; land use; air quality; noise; traffic; and hazards and hazardous 

materials. Measures relevant to and incorporated into the project description of the Proposed 

Action are listed in Appendix “A” of this document.

3.2 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE

LBNL is conducting limited nanoscience research in other parts of LBNL and the UC Berkeley 

campus. Under the No Action Alternative, this limited nanoscience research would continue 

under current management practices, and no consolidated and centralized facility dedicated to 

nanoscience research would be built at the site. 

3.3 DIFFERENT BUILDING CONFIGURATION ALTERNATIVE

Under this alternative, a smaller building totaling approximately 30,000 sq. ft. would be 

constructed at the current Proposed Action site. The smaller building is anticipated by the 1987 

LBNL Long-Range Development Plan and would be located in the approximate location of the 

existing parking lot. The smaller building would rely on existing available utilities connections 

and would be accessible from the Lee Road extension, which runs along the south and southwest 

perimeter of the adjacent Building 66. For purposes of this analysis, it is estimated that 

approximately 50 to 90 staff persons would occupy the smaller building. Less laboratory space 

would be available to researchers on a per capita basis. Such a building would likely be about 

three stories high with perhaps one sub-grade floor and a smaller accompanying utility building. 

It would require less excavation and would occupy a somewhat smaller footprint. Most of the 

trees in the area slated for removal under the current project would probably still need to be 

removed for construction and fire safety purposes. Less construction equipment and materials 

would be necessary.

3.4 ALTERNATE BUILDING SITE (ON-SITE) ALTERNATIVE

Under this alternative, an alternate building site would be used for the proposed Molecular 

Foundry. This alternate site is located in the LBNL “Old Town” area, in the Light Source 

Research and Engineering Area, near the ALS Synchrotron. This alternate site would require 

demolition of some or all of the following buildings: 4, 5, 7, 14 and 16. Because of the nature of 
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existing buildings and historic use of this site, substantial historic work and soil remediation may 

have to be conducted to prepare this site for the Proposed Action. In addition, site preparation 

would involve many additional truck trips to haul demolition debris and to remove excavated 

material that would not be needed for on-site fill. The proposed Molecular Foundry building 

would be given a lower profile and consequently a broader footprint to avoid having it tower over 

the Advanced Light Source building, which is an important aesthetic resource of LBNL from 

both short- and long-range views. 

While other potential building sites for such a project may exist at LBNL, this site is the most 

feasible on-site alternate location to the Proposed Action. In fact, this site was extensively 

investigated in the preliminary planning stages of the Proposed Action as the possible location of 

the Molecular Foundry. It would allow for optimal access to the Advanced Light Source and to 

central LBNL-site amenities.

3.5 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT ELIMINATED FROM 

FURTHER ANALYSIS

3.5.1 LEASED ON-SITE SPACE

This alternative would house the nanoscience research program and activities in a building 

financed and built by a “third party” developer (i.e., neither DOE, UC, nor LBNL affiliated) on 

the LBNL site through a ground lease agreement and then the facility would be subsequently 

leased back to LBNL. It has been determined that the 30-year lease cost of such a building would 

be significantly greater than the cost of a new building. As it would be essentially the same 

building and physical project, there would be no environmental benefits realized by this 

alternative.

3.5.2 ALTERNATE BUILDING SITE (OFF-SITE)

This alternative would require the acquisition, lease, and/or construction of a facility off the 

LBNL site to provide for the Molecular Foundry programs and activities. No optimal facilities of 

the sort appear to both exist and be feasibly available in the immediate area of LBNL – the UC 

Berkeley campus is itself in need of new, updated laboratory space. Property in the City of 

Berkeley is relatively expensive and the cost of constructing a building somewhere in Berkeley, 

Oakland, or Emeryville would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming and would not 

likely be buffered from nearby residential uses to the extent the current site is. Putting facilities 

in a research park in Richmond (or in Oakland, Emeryville, or most of Berkeley’s 

commercial/industrial areas) would be too remote from the LBNL site to realize the benefits of 

having nearby facilities (e.g., Advanced Light Source, NCEM, etc.), fellow researchers, and 

LBNL administrative, technical, and facilities support.
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CHAPTER 4.0

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

4.1 REGIONAL AND LOCAL SETTING

The Proposed Action site is located in the southeastern portion of LBNL in the Oakland-Berkeley 

hills, within Oakland’s city limits, on mostly undeveloped slopes between LBNL Buildings 72 

and 66 (see Figures 1, 2, and 3). The site also includes an existing paved parking lot with 18 

striped parking spaces and a retaining wall, and an undeveloped downslope area extending from 

Lawrence Road along the eastern side of Building 31 and the western side of Building 72. With 

the exception of the parking lot and a pathway along the eastern edge, the project site is covered 

with grasses and a variety of other plants.

West of the site are a chain-link fence and corporation yard, and further west are the University of 

California at Berkeley campus, Strawberry Creek, and the Panoramic Hill neighborhood. To the 

north are LBNL facilitie s, including the Grizzly Peak substation and undeveloped hillsides, as 

well as the Lawrence Hall of Science. Further north are residential neighborhoods in the City of 

Berkeley and the Tilden Regional Park. LBNL facilities including LBNL’s Human Genome 

Laboratory, and the University of California’s Botanical Garden lie to the east. University of 

California-owned lands, regional open space areas, and the Claremont neighborhood of Oakland 

all lie to the south. The nearest residences are in the Panoramic Hill neighborhood of Berkeley, 

which is approximately one-third mile south of the project site at its closest point.

The project site is currently accessible from the southwest by Lee Road, which ends southwest of 

Building 66, and from the Building 66 rear parking lot; to the east from Lawrence Road; and from 

the north by the Building 31 driveway and parking lot via a dirt road that connects the Building 

31 and Building 66 rear parking areas. The site is within LBNL’s vegetation control area, and, as 

a result, grasses and plants are kept at a minimum height during fire season. As another 

component of the Lab’s Vegetation Management Plan, non-native trees are removed within 

100 feet of Buildings 62 and 66.

4.2 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES NOT AFFECTED

Floodplains/ The Proposed Action would not take place within a 100-year floodplain or on 

Wetlands: or in the vicinity of wetlands.

Land Use: The Proposed Action would take place on an area that is bounded by similar 

scale and use scientific buildings, a roadway, and parking lot, and would be 

served by existing but reconfigured utility systems. The Proposed Action 

would not conflict with LBNL planning documents, including its Long Range 
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Development Plan. The area has been previously identified as a location of a 

future laboratory building in LBNL planning documents. A brief, supporting 

analysis of Land Use is included in Appendix “B.”

Socioeconomics: Federal funding for the Proposed Action would be from national sources and 

would not represent a significant commitment of local resources. Employment 

from the Proposed Action would draw upon local, regional, and international 

(for visiting scientists) populations and would not be perceptible in any 

particular employment or housing market. A brief, supporting analysis of 

population, employment and housing is included in Appendix “C.”

Environmental Due to the low incidence of localized, off-site impacts from the project, as well 

Justice: as to the demographics of populations living nearest the site of the Proposed 

Action, there would be no disproportionately high or adverse human health or 

environmental effects on minority or low-income populations from the 

Proposed Action. A brief, supporting analysis of “Environmental Justice” 

issues is provided in Appendix “D” of this document.

4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES POTENTIALLY AFFECTED

4.3.1 GEOLOGY, SOILS, AND SEISMICITY

SETTING

The Proposed Action is located in the San Francisco Bay Area, which, due to the presence of the 

San Andreas Fault System, is a region of significant seismic activity. Recent studies sponsored 

by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimate that there is a 70 percent likelihood of a 

Richter magnitude 6.7 or higher earthquake occurring in the Bay Area in the next 30 years. The 

project site could experience a range of ground-shaking effects during an earthquake on one of 

the active earthquake faults in the San Francisco Bay Area. Excessive groundshaking could also 

cause secondary ground failures such as seismically-induced landslides, surface rupture, and 

differential settlement that could expose people to the risk of injury and cause structural damage 

to buildings. The Hayward fault, one of the major active faults in the San Andreas System, 

extends along the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay and is located 0.3 miles from the project 

site. Ground-shaking intensities from a major seismic event on the Hayward fault could generate 

ground motion approaching or exceeding Peak Ground Acceleration of 0.7g. Ground motion of 

this type would be characterized by the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale as violent to very 

violent (ABAG, 2002).4 Geotechnical investigations conducted at the project site have estimated 

 

4 While the magnitude is a measure of the energy released in an earthquake, intensity is a measure of the ground 

shaking effects at a particular location. Shaking intensity can vary depending on the overall magnitude, distance to 

the fault, focus of earthquake energy, and type of geologic material. The Modified Mercalli (MM) intensity scale is 

commonly used to measure earthquake effects due to ground shaking. The MM values for intensity range from I 

(earthquake not felt) to XII (damage nearly total). MM intensities ranging from IV to X could cause moderate to 

significant structural damage. Acceleration is scaled against a value that everyone is familiar with, that is, 

acceleration due to gravity or the acceleration with which a ball falls if released at rest in a vacuum (1.0g). 

Acceleration of 1.0g is equivalent to a car traveling 100 meters (328 feet) from rest in 4.5 seconds. Acceleration is 

expressed by a “g” which is gravity = 980 centimeters per second squared.
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peak bedrock accelerations of 0.70g from an earthquake occurring on the Hayward fault,5 and 

0.40g from an earthquake occurring on the San Andreas Fault, located approximately 19 miles 

southwest of the project site. As a comparison, ground motion during the 1989 Loma Prieta 

earthquake at the Santa Cruz Mountain epicenter reached 0.64g. Due to its close proximity to the 

project site, the Hayward fault is likely to generate the most significant levels of groundshaking.

Earthquakes and groundshaking in the Bay Area are unavoidable and are expected to occur at 

some time during the life of the Proposed Action. Although some structural damage is typically 

not avoidable, building codes and local construction requirements have been established to 

protect against building collapse and major injury during a seismic event. 

The project site is not within the most recently delineated Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone 

(A-P Zone).6

The project site is not located in an area identified by the California Geological Survey (CGS) as 

being susceptible to liquefaction hazards, and the geotechnical report prepared for the project site 

does not identify liquefiable soils. Potential liquefaction hazards are therefore considered less 

than significant.

The project site is located in a CGS-designated Seismic Hazard Zone for earthquake-induced 

landslides. The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act (SHMA) was enacted in 1990 to protect the public 

from the effects of strong groundshaking, liquefaction, landslides, or other ground failure, and 

from other hazards caused by earthquakes. This act requires the State Geologist to delineate 

various seismic hazard zones and requires cities, counties, and other local permitting agencies to 

regulate certain development projects within these zones.

4.3.2 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY

SETTING

The LBNL site is situated in the ridges and drainage areas of Blackberry and Strawberry Canyons 

in the East Bay Hills within the Strawberry Creek watershed. Runoff from the project site 

currently drains to “No Name” Creek, which is a tributary of Strawberry Creek. The Proposed 

Action consists of two buildings, an access road, and associated parking that would result in 

additional impervious surface area and consequently an increase in surface water runoff from the 

project site.

The project site is generally characterized by steep slopes underlain by bedrock, with a shallow 

soil surface. Groundwater flow through bedrock is typically characterized by fracture flow that 

has slow recharge and low yield, while groundwater flow in the drainages is unconfined flow and 

 

5 In the near-fault region of the Hayward fault (i.e., less than 2 km from the fault, which includes the project site), an 

additional seismic “fling” can be expected. This is accounted for in the latest version of the California Building 

Code.

6 Alquist-Priolo Zones designate areas most likely to experience fault rupture, although surface fault rupture is not 

necessarily restricted to those specifically zoned areas.
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fluctuates with seasonal precipitation. This area is not underlain by an easily accessible, highyield, confined aquifer system that is capable of supplying many users. However, this area may 

represent a portion of the recharge area for the alluvial aquifer underlying the East Bay plain to 

the west.

4.3.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

SETTING

The Proposed Action is located in the steep ridges and draws on the western side of the OaklandBerkeley hills, in the general area of Blackberry and Strawberry canyons and within the 

Strawberry Canyon watershed. No Name Creek and Chicken Creek, tributaries to Strawberry 

Creek, are located downslope from the proposed site, and Strawberry Creek itself is 

approximately 0.1 miles to the southeast at its closest point to the site. Vegetation on and 

adjacent to the Proposed Action site is primarily non-native annual grassland, and the site is 

located between existing multi-story buildings to the northwest and southeast. 

SPECIAL STATUS WILDLIFE

Review of the California Natural Diversity Database (California Department of Fish and Game, 

2002) for the Oakland East, Oakland West, Richmond, and Briones Valley 7.5 minute 

quadrangles indicate a generally low potential for adverse impacts to legally sensitive animal 

species. Many of the species on the list are associated with either wetlands or salt-water habitats 

within these quadrangles, and the non-native grassland characteristic of the site does not provide 

the required habitat for these particular species.

The Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus; listed as threatened both federally 

and by the state) is found in shrub communities and adjacent habitats (U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, 2000). Habitats adjacent to brush communities may be crucial to Alameda whipsnakes, 

which remain in grassland habitats near shrub areas for up to several weeks at a time (U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service, 2000). Other typical habitat elements for this species include rock 

outcrops, which provide areas where prey (particularly lizards) may be found and where 

whipsnakes may find shelter.

There are no Habitat Conservation Plans, Natural Community Conservation Plans, or other 

approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plans that apply to the LBNL site.

4.3.4 HISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

SETTING

As part of the environmental analysis for the 1987 LRDP EIR, as amended, (LRDP EIR), all 

undeveloped land and proposed building locations (including the proposed Molecular Foundry 

site) were examined for potential historical and archaeological resources. All reasonably 

accessible parts of the LBNL area were examined. Special attention was given to areas of 
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relatively flat land or rock outcrops. The steep hillsides were not examined intensively, although 

transects through accessible areas were made. Based on the findings of the historic and 

archaeological resources survey, no indications of historic or prehistoric archaeological resources 

were encountered in any location within the project site.

More recently, an archaeological survey of four parcels (70 acres total), and a recordation and 

evaluation of four historic structures was conducted for LBNL in September 1999. Portions of 

the surveyed areas were adjacent to the project site on its eastern and western sides. Based on the 

results of the survey, with concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), no 

indications of significant historic or prehistoric archaeological resources were encountered. No 

historic structures exist on the project site as it is currently partially vacant, and used as a parking 

lot.

4.3.5 VISUAL QUALITY

SETTING

The Proposed Action is located in an area intermittently visible from surrounding short- and longrange viewpoints. The site is adjacent to the easternmost7 perimeter of the UC Berkeley campus 

in a scenic area that encompasses the Oakland and Berkeley Hills, and Blackberry and Strawberry 

Canyons. The hills provide a semi-natural, vegetated open-space backdrop to the project site. 

Most of the western slopes of these hills are wooded with either native canyon stands of oak and 

California bay or with introduced plantations of eucalyptus or conifers. 

Although adjacent to the Building 66 and 72 complexes and roadways, the proposed, 

approximately 21⁄2-acre site is currently mostly undeveloped and includes several trees and 

grassland areas, and an asphalt surface parking area (see Figure 11A) at the central portion of the 

site. It is these terrain features, most notably the slopes, which comprise the Strawberry Canyon 

and the surrounding stands of tall trees that provide cover to the Proposed Action site from most 

potential viewpoints in the surrounding region. The site is located in a portion of Strawberry 

Canyon that is visible to persons along a short segment of Lawrence Road in the immediate 

vicinity of the site or further east and uphill of the site along portions of Centennial Drive. The 

site is also visible from nearby private development along Grizzly Peak Boulevard and the 

Panoramic Hill residential neighborhood, and from a narrow view corridor through the adjacent 

UC Berkeley campus that includes a portion of Memorial Stadium’s north-facing seats (see 

Figure 11B).

Nearby and adjacent buildings include the National Center for Microscopy (Building 72) and the 

Material Sciences building (Building 66), as shown in Figures 11C and 11D, respectively. The 

buildings in the Materials and Chemical Research Planning Area are designed to take advantage 

of the long-range Bay views afforded by the Strawberry Canyon view corridor. Existing vantage 

points on the LBNL site within a quarter mile of the site include locations along north-south axis 

 

7 This analysis incorporates true compass directions.
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streets such as Lawrence Road, at locations with higher elevations to the east of the site along 

Centennial Drive, and at traffic turn-outs. Views afforded from these vantage points include 

long-range views westwards towards the Bay, including historic landmarks such as the Golden 

Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, as well as the urban landscape of the adjacent City of Berkeley 

and UC Berkeley campus development (see Figure 11E).

4.3.6 TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION

SETTING

The primary access routes to LBNL are Grizzly Peak Boulevard / Centennial Drive, University 

Avenue, Hearst Avenue and Piedmont Avenue / Gayley Road. Access to the site is provided by 

three sentry-controlled gates: Blackberry Canyon (main gate), Strawberry Canyon, and Grizzly 

Peak. In 1998 approximately 9,100 vehicles passed through these three gates (access and egress) 

on a typical work day – about 930 and 820 vehicles during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours, 

respectively. 

LBNL operates a free shuttle bus service within the LBNL site, and between LBNL and the UC 

Berkeley campus and downtown Berkeley (connecting with the Berkeley BART Station and 

AC Transit bus lines). Another off-site shuttle provides express service to and from the 

Rockridge BART Station at select commute hours. The principal off-site shuttle operates from 

6:30 a.m. to 6:50 p.m., running every ten minutes up until 5:50 p.m., when shuttles run at 

20-minute intervals. There is a shuttle bus stop at the project site, currently serving Buildings 72 

and 66. 

Traffic level of service (LOS) conditions were assessed at the following five key (gateway) 

intersections for weekday a.m. and p.m. peak traffic hours:

• University Avenue and Shattuck Avenue (southbound) – signalized 

• Hearst Avenue and La Loma Avenue / Gayley Road – signalized 

• Gayley Road and Stadium Rim Way – all-way stop control

• Piedmont Avenue and Dwight Way – signalized 

• Grizzly Peak Road and Centennial Drive – all-way stop control

The LOS concept is a qualitative characterization of traffic conditions associated with varying 

levels of traffic, based on delay and congestion. Descriptions of conditions range from LOS A 

(free-flow condition) to LOS F (jammed condition). LOS C or better are generally considered to 

be satisfactory service levels, while LOS D is minimally acceptable, LOS E is undesirable, and 

LOS F conditions are unacceptable. 

Traffic counts were conducted at each of the study intersections while UC Berkeley was in 

session. The five study intersections currently operate at LOS B during a.m. and p.m. peak hours, 

except the All-Way Stop Sign-Controlled intersection of Gayley Road / Stadium Rim Way, which 

operates at LOS F during both peak hours. The supply of parking spaces at LBNL is limited, and 

its use is controlled by a permit system (strictly enforced) that allocates available parking spaces 

to different types of employees and visitors.
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4.3.7 AIR QUALITY

SETTING

The project site is located in the City of Oakland, within the boundaries of the San Francisco Bay 

Area Air Basin (Bay Area). The Bay Area’s moderate climate steers storm tracks away from the 

region for much of the year. Berkeley’s proximity to the refreshing onshore breezes stimulated 

by the Pacific Ocean provides for generally very good air quality at LBNL. However, during the 

ozone smog season (summer and fall), transport studies have shown that emissions generated in 

Oakland and Berkeley are often transported to other regions of the Bay Area and beyond (e.g., 

Central Valley) that are more conducive to the formation of ozone smog. In the winter, reduced 

solar energy and cooler temperatures diminish ozone smog formation, though increase the 

likelihood of carbon monoxide formation.

The federal Clean Air Act of 1970 established maximum concentration criteria standards for six 

ambient air pollutants – ozone (smog), carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, 

particulate matter, and lead. Each of these standards was set to meet specific public health and 

welfare criteria. Individual states were given the option to adopt more stringent state standards 

for criteria pollutants and to include other pollutants. California has done so with many pollutants 

through its own clean air act.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) is the regional agency with 

regulatory authority over stationary sources in the Bay Area, while the California Air Resources 

Board (CARB) has regulatory authority over mobile sources such as construction equipment, 

trucks, and automobiles throughout the state. The BAAQMD has the primary responsibility to 

meet and maintain the state and federal ambient air quality standards in the Bay Area. 

Both the state and federal Clean Air Acts require areas to be classified as either attainment or 

non-attainment for each criteria pollutant, based on whether or not the state and national 

standards have been achieved. Therefore, areas in California have two sets of attainment/nonattainment designations: one for the federal standards and one for the state standards. The Bay 

Area Air Basin is currently designated as nonattainment for state ozone standards and the federal 

1-hour ozone standards, although ozone levels measured in the Berkeley and Oakland area do not 

exceed the standard. Ozone and ozone precursors such as reactive organic compounds and oxides 

of nitrogen are the pollutants of greatest concern in the Air Basin. The Air Basin is also 

designated as nonattainment for the state PM-10 standard (particulate matter of 10-micron 

diameter or less). Urbanized portions of the Bay Area (specifically known as the San Francisco –

Oakland – San Jose federal planning area) are designated “maintenance” with respect to the 

federal carbon monoxide standard. The “maintenance” designation denotes that the area, now 

“attainment,” had once been designated as “nonattainment.” The Air Basin is designated as either 

attainment or unclassified for all other pollutants.

The project site is considered typical of urban areas in the East Bay. PM-10 levels measured in 

Fremont (the nearest monitoring station in Alameda County that measures PM-10) indicate that 

the four days in 2001 with the highest levels of PM-10 were January 7 (57.6 micrograms per
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 cubic meter), January 1 (54.5), January 19 (43.6), and May 19 (38.1). Ozone levels in the San 

Francisco Bay Area in 2001 exceeded state 1-hour standards on 15 days, the federal 1-hour 

standard on 1 day, and the federal 8-hour standard on 7 days.8 Bay Area counties experience 

most ozone exceedances during the period from April through October. Construction equipment, 

building emission sources (such as heaters), and motor vehicles are typical LBNL activities that 

would emit the ozone precursors reactive organic gas (ROG) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). These 

emissions may photochemically react in the presence of sunlight and warm temperatures, creating 

ozone smog. As noted above, because of wind patterns, this transformation occurs some miles 

distant. Thus, a project’s emissions may not have a local impact and may be very small in terms 

of quantities, but could contribute to existing violations of state and federal ozone standards.

HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC AIR EMISSIONS SOURCES

There are no known facilities within a 1⁄4-mile of the LBNL boundary that use acutely hazardous 

substances in excess of threshold planning quantities (SARA Title III, Community Right to 

Know). Consequently there is no significant impact in the area from use of acutely hazardous 

substances by businesses, including LBNL. "Acutely hazardous material" means any material 

defined pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 25532, California Health and Safety Code.

State environmental law requires that air districts create an inventory of facilities with potential to 

emit specified Toxic Air Contaminants (TAC), and make this information available to the public 

upon request. The BAAQMD’s 2000 Toxic Air Contaminant Control Program Annual Report 

calculates that the annual excess cancer risk in the Bay Area is about 167 per million people from 

stationary sources, and about 450 in a million from diesel exhaust. Thus, diesel emissions create 

about 70% of toxic and cancer-causing emissions found in ambient air. LBNL updates its TAC 

inventories each year during renewal of operating permits, which is required of all regulated 

facilities in the Bay Area.

4.3.8 NOISE

SETTING

Noise is usually defined as an unwanted sound. Noise is typically measured in decibels, which is 

a logarithmic scale for expressing sound pressure-level energy. The A scale of noise 

measurement mathematically adjusts sound pressure levels that approximate the response of the 

human ear to different frequencies. Noise typically attenuates (diminishes) by about 6 dBA for 

every doubling of distance from the source. Thus, a noise measured at 90 dBA 50 feet from the 

source would be about 84 dBA at 100 feet, 78 dBA at 200 feet, 72 dBA at 400 feet, and so forth. 

Noise standards are addressed in local general plan policies and noise ordinances. A project 

could expose people to, or generate, noise levels in excess of these standards in two ways. First, a 

project could expose sensitive receptors to noise by introducing incompatible land uses (e.g., 

building a helipad next to a school) in an existing noise environment. Second, a project itself 

 

8 This is an average that summarizes data from all of the monitoring stations in the Bay Area.
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could create an increase in ambient noise levels that negatively affect existing nearby sensitive 

receptors (e.g., putting a petroleum refinery in a residential neighborhood).

The Oakland Comprehensive Plan contains guidelines for determining the compatibility of 

various land uses with different noise environments (City of Oakland, 1974). The Noise Element 

recognizes that some land uses are more sensitive to ambient noise levels than others, due to the 

amount of noise exposure (in terms of both exposure duration and insulation from noise) and the 

types of activities typically involved.

The City of Oakland also regulates short-term noise through city ordinances, which include a 

general provision against nuisance noise sources (Planning Code, Section17.120). The factors 

that are considered when determining whether the ordinance is violated include: a) the level, 

intensity, character, and duration of the noise; b) the level, intensity, and character of the 

background noise; and c) the time when, and the place and zoning district where, the noise 

occurred.

The City of Berkeley’s General Plan Noise Element also contains guidelines for determining 

the compatibility of various land uses with different noise environments (City of Berkeley). 

Generally, the noise level for residential, hotel, and motel uses is 60 dBA or less, while 

conditionally acceptable noise levels range from over 60 dBA to 75 dBA (may require 

insulation, etc.), and unacceptable noise levels are over 75 dBA. The City of Berkeley’s 

Community Noise Ordinance sets limits for permissible noise levels during the day and night 

according to the zoning of the area. If ambient noise exceeds the standard, that ambient noise 

level becomes the allowable noise levels. For R-1 and R-2 residential areas, the receiving 

noise level (not to be exceeded by more than thirty minutes any hour) is 55 dBA from 7:00 

a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and 45 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. For R-3 uses and above, the 

receiving noise level (not to be exceeded by more than thirty minutes any hour) is 60 dBA 

from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and 55 dBA from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Construction noise levels would fluctuate depending on the particular type, number, and 

duration of use of various types of construction equipment. Table 3, below, describes typical 

construction noise levels at 50 feet. The effect of construction noise would depend upon the 

volume (expressed in dBA) generated, the distance between noise sources and the nearest 

noise-sensitive uses, and the existing noise levels at those uses. The City of Oakland allows 

short-term (less than 10 days) construction noise received in residential areas between the 

hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on weekdays to reach levels of 80 dBA (65 dBA on 

weekends between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.), and long-term construction noise (more than 

10 days) to reach levels of 65 dBA on weekdays and 55 dBA on weekends. The City of 

Berkeley also requires that construction be restricted to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on

weekdays, and the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. However, the 

City of Berkeley requires that maximum noise levels should be controlled to not exceed 

75 dBA at the nearest properties for mobile equipment and 60 dBA for stationary equipment.
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TABLE 3

TYPICAL COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION NOISE LEVELS

Phase (Leq)

a

Ground Clearing 84

Excavation 89

Foundations 78

Erection 85

Exterior Finishing 89

Pile Drilling 90

_________________________

a Estimates correspond to a distance of 50 feet from the noisiest piece of equipment associated with a given phase 

and 200 feet from the other equipment associated with that phase.

SOURCES: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Noise from Construction Equipment and Operations, Building 

Equipment, and Home Appliances, December 1971.

ESA Richmond Transport Tunnel Study, (pile drilling data) January 1997.

4.3.9 PUBLIC SERVICES

FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION

LBNL maintains its own on-site fire protection services through a contract with Alameda County 

and its own security force. These units are staffed in proportion to LBNL’s needs for fire 

suppression and security protection. Currently, three fire trucks and an ambulance are available 

on-site at all times. The LBNL security unit is part of the UC Police Services and includes sworn 

officers and contract protective service officers. Contracted personnel staff the LBNL entry gate 

kiosks.

SCHOOLS, PARKS AND OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES

The proposed Molecular Foundry would contain primarily office, teaching, and laboratory spaces 

within the 86,500-square-foot Molecular Foundry building. The uses proposed for this building 

and any incremental population increases induced directly and indirectly throughout the region by 

Proposed Action employment opportunities would not generate the need for additional school, 

park, and other public facilities.

4.3.10 PUBLIC UTILITIES

SETTING

The LBNL site receives its water from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). The 

proposed project would be served by EBMUD’s Shasta Pressure Zone (PZ), which provides 
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water service to customers within an elevation range of 900 to 1050 feet, and the Berkeley View 

PZ, which provides water service to customers within an elevation range of 1,050 to 1,250 feet. 

The LBNL site receives its water supply via a 12-inch meter in Campus Drive in the Shasta PZ 

and via a 6-inch meter in Summit Road from the Berkeley View PZ. In addition, Department of 

Energy (DOE) owns and maintenance two 200,000-gallon storage tanks on site for emergency 

supply in the event of interruption of EBMUD’s service and a third 200,000-gallon emergency 

tank is under construction in the East Canyon area upslope of the project site. The existing 

distribution system supplies water for all laboratory uses and has sufficient capacity to meet the 

flow rate and duration requirements for both daily use and fire protection. Although the project 

would be expected to increase use by up to approximately 2,500 gallons per day, it would not 

cause a significant impact as the two existing EBMUD PZs have combined storage capacity of 

3.1 million gallons. Wastewater from LBNL is carried via a gravity-flow system through two 

monitoring stations, one located at Hearst Avenue and the other at Centennial Drive in 

Strawberry Canyon. The Proposed Action would be served by the Centennial Drive Station, 

which connects first to the University of California’s sewer system, then to the City of Berkeley’s 

public sewer system, and then to a regional wastewater treatment plant located southwest of the I80/I-580 interchange in Oakland. The facility is owned by EBMUD and serves six East Bay 

cities and the Stege Sanitary District.

All LBNL sanitary sewage runs through the City of Berkeley’s basin No. 17. The City 

Department of Public Works has confirmed that there is considerable remaining average and peak 

wet weather capacity in this basin. The proposed project would most likely be directed into 

subbasin #17-003; this subbasin has more than adequate average and peak wet weather capacity 

to accommodate the estimated 1,200 gpd sanitary sewage flows from the proposed project. 

The main concern with sewer flow in this subbasin and region wide in the EBMUD system is the 

infiltration and inflow of stormwater into the sanitary sewer system due to the poor condition of 

aging sewer pipes (known as “infiltration / inflow” or “I/I”). LBNL has aggressively acted to 

address infiltration / inflow problems in its own system and has made dramatic improvements in 

recent years. In addition, an aggressive plumbing maintenance and upgrade effort has been 

undertaken during the past 15 years by LBNL, along with installation of water saving devices and 

systems, to substantially lower average sewer flows as well. The savings realized by these ongoing efforts has reduced both peak wet weather as well as average sewer flows by well over half. 

Moreover, LBNL’s peak wet weather infiltration / inflow rate is less than half of that of the City 

of Berkeley’s and it is approximately only ten-percent of that found in EBMUD’s district. LBNL 

continues to seek ways in which to reduce both water consumption and sewage generation.

In 1984, LBNL’s allocated sewer flow was approximately 200,000 gallons per day (gpd). Due to 

historic infiltration / inflow, that amount was much higher during peak wet weather events. In 

recent years, due to the aforementioned efforts, that average annual sewer flow has been reduced 

by approximately 100,000 gpd, and by even much greater amounts during wet weather. The 

proposed Molecular Foundry is expected to generate less than 1,200 gpd of sewage. This 

incremental amount falls well below what was allocated to LBNL previous to its sewer upgrade 

projects. It is also consistent with the 1987 LRDP EIR, as amended, which anticipated, analyzed, 

and found less-than-significant impacts for buildout levels of sanitary sewage at much higher than 
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current levels, even with inclusion of the proposed project. Moreover, because the sewer lines 

installed for the Molecular Foundry would be brand new, state-of-the-art, and virtually free of 

stormwater infiltration, the proposed project would be incremental in both dry and wet weather 

and would not contribute to the problem of I/I surplus flows during peak wet weather events. 

Through the University of California, LBNL currently pays the City of Berkeley for assessed 

sewer services. In addition, the University has contributed to the City of Berkeley’s sewer 

upgrade program. This program is intended to increase wet weather flow capacity and decrease 

infiltration / inflow conditions.

Because of LBNL’s hillside location a storm-drainage system has been installed that discharges 

into the North Fork of Strawberry Creek to the north and Strawberry Creek to the south. 

Non-hazardous solid waste generated at the project site would be collected by Richmond Sanitary 

Service and taken to the Richmond Landfill.

4.3.11 ENERGY

SETTING

The LBNL “Ten-Year In-House Energy Management Plan” establishes target goals, and is 

updated each year. Important components of meeting LBNL goals include a survey and study 

program to identify cost-effective energy savings measures; a retrofit program to implement the 

cost-effective projects; and a new buildings program that would ensure that new facilities meet all 

applicable energy performance standards, including both those developed by the Department of 

Energy Executive Order 12003 and 10 Code of Federal Regulations Part 436 and those issued by 

the State of California, Title 24.

Recently, the Grizzly Peak electric substation, which formerly served both LBNL and the UC 

Berkeley campus, was expanded to incorporate a new and adjacent substation, the Hill Area UC 

Substation. This new Hill Area substation allowed the UC Berkeley campus to draw dedicated 

power from it, thus allowing the LBNL exclusive use of the Grizzly Peak substation. Therefore, 

electric capacity was expanded for both UC Berkeley and LBNL.

4.3.12 HAZARDS AND HUMAN HEALTH

SETTING

LBNL maintains its own Environment, Health, and Safety (EH&S) division to oversee and 

monitor all LBNL issues dealing with hazards, hazardous materials, and human health and safety. 

The EH&S Division ensures compliance with all applicable Federal, state, and LBNL-imposed 

hazard and safety related regulations, laws, and standards. As part of the EH&S Division 

mission, LBNL has developed a stringent hazardous materials program, which includes personnel 

training and careful management, handling, and storage policies for hazardous materia ls. LBNL 

maintains its own on-site fire department and emergency medical services, along with hazardous 
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response personnel, which would minimize any risk associated with wildland fires. In 2002, to 

increase efficiency and efficacy, staffing and operation duties of LBNL’s on-site fire department 

were awarded to Alameda County.
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSQUENCES OF THE PROPOSED 

ACTION

5.1.1 GEOLOGY, SOILS, AND SEISMICITY

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

The SHMA requires the State Geologist to delineate various seismic hazard zones and requires 

cities, counties, and other local permitting agencies to regulate certain development projects 

within these zones. Before project approval is granted for a site within a seismic hazard zone, a 

geotechnical investigation must be conducted and appropriate mitigation measures incorporated 

into the project design. The CGS Special Publication 117, adopted in 1997 by the State Mining 

and Geology Board in accordance with the SHMA, constitutes guidelines for evaluating seismic 

hazards other than surface faulting, and for recommending mitigation measures as required by 

Public Resources Code Section 2695(a). LBNL is required to comply with the guidelines set by 

CGS Special Publication 117. Compliance with the requirements of SHMA would reduce the 

risk of injury and property damage resulting from potential earthquake-induced landslide hazards 

to a less than significant level. 

The design criteria for the Proposed Action would comply with requirements of the 1998 

California Building Code, LBNL’s Facilities Department Project & Design Management 

Procedures Manual “Lateral Force Design Criteria,” and federal standards. In addition, the 

seismic design of the project would comply with the la test UC seismic safety policies. The 

design would exceed the requirements of the California Building Code (CCR Title 24) and 

comply with the more stringent local building code (LBNL Standard RD 3.22). As part of the 

Proposed Action, a Conceptual Design Report was prepared that accounts for all loads to which 

the structure may be subjected, including dead, live, wind, and seismic, and that incorporates 

recommendations provided in the preliminary geotechnical report prepared for the project site to 

reduce ground-shaking hazards.

An engineering analysis report and drawings, and relevant grading or construction activities on 

the project site would be required to address constraints and incorporate recommendations 

identified in the geotechnical investigations. Considering that the Proposed Action would be 

constructed in conformance with the California Building Code, LBNL requirements, and federal 

regulations and guidelines, the risks of injury and structural damage from groundshaking would 

be reduced and the impacts would be less than significant.
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The Proposed Action would require excavation of approximately 32,000 cubic yards of soil to 

construct the Molecular Foundry building, the Central Utility Plant building, and otherwise to 

prepare the site for roads and walkways. This fill material would not leave the site, but would be 

used as engineered fill to construct the new Lee Road extension, along the western perimeter of 

the Molecular Foundry buildings, and the widening of Lee Road, southwest of Building 62.

During excavation, topsoil would first be stripped and stockpiled for dressing finished slopes and 

for use in landscaped areas in all areas where excavations are to be made or fill deposited, and 

edges of cut banks would be rounded to blend into the natural terrain. A site and project-specific 

erosion control plan would be included as part of the project design process and implemented as a 

condition for approval. This plan would include measures listed in Appendix “A,” including 

development of a project/site-specific SWPPP. The SWPPP would include, as feasible, the 

covering of excavated materials, installation of silt traps, fencing, and use of filter fabric as 

measures to control erosion and sedimentation as required by the California general permit for 

storm water associated with construction activities. Landscaping would be begun as soon as 

surface disturbances were finished for each relevant area. Potential soil erosion and topsoil 

impacts would be less than significant.

 Geotechnical borings installed at the project site identified portions of on-site soils as being 

highly expansive, and provided recommendations to address these hazards. The report describes 

the site as being underlain by a combination of compacted material used on the site for landslide 

repair, landslide debris, and colluvial soil (Kleinfelder, January 29, 2002). The report specifically 

states: “Because some of the on-site soil has a high expansion potential, the geotechnical engineer 

should approve soil prior to its use as fill material. Fill should be moisture conditioned and 

compacted to at least 90 percent relative compaction using ASTM D-1557 test procedure.” The 

report also recommends that the soil at subgrade level be evaluated during site excavation to 

determine its expansion characteristics, and if found to be expansive, this soil should be 

excavated and replaced with low-expansion materials. These geotechnical recommendations 

have been incorporated into the Proposed Action Conceptual Design Report. Any potential 

impacts due to expansive soils would be less than significant with the inclusion of these project 

features.

OPERATIONS

The Proposed Action design would incorporate foundation recommendations of the project 

geotechnical evaluation so as to be constructed to applicable California Building Code and LBNL 

standards. In addition, the Proposed Action would adhere to, where appropriate, guidelines of the 

CGS Special Publications 117; and incorporate standard LBNL practices (see Appendix “A”), to 

address any potential liquefaction hazards.
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5.1.2 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

Construction-related grading and other activities would be required to comply with the 

Association of Bay Area Governments’ Manual of Standards for Erosion and Sediment Control 

Measures, and with the State of California’s Best Management Practices for Construction 

Activity Handbook. The site would require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

(NPDES) general permit for stormwater associated with construction activity, which includes a 

project-specific SWPPP. A site and project-specific erosion control plan would be included and 

implemented during construction to reduce short-term water quality impacts associated with 

construction. Best Management Practic es addressed in this plan would include covering of 

excavated materials, installation of silt traps, fencing, use of filter fabric, prohibition of cement 

truck washout to LBNL drains and surfaces, stabilized construction entrances, etc., and oversight 

throughout construction by LBNL engineers and EH&S specialists. In addition, the plan would 

require disturbed areas to be landscaped and re-seeded at the earliest practical time during 

construction so that ground cover would be well-established by the next rainy season.

During construction, measures would be implemented to provide controlled diversion of storm 

water until the permanent system is intact. Temporary silt traps, sedimentation ponds, and/or 

diversion structures would be designed and implemented to minimize erosion and siltation during 

construction. Because portions of the construction work would occur during the rainy season, 

careful consideration would be given to the sequencing of the construction work in the 

subcontract construction documents to minimize potential erosion. Provisions would be made to 

control storm runoff in disturbed areas including pumping, controlled channeling of water, and 

placement of silt traps to minimize erosion and siltation and maintain slope stability. This would 

be expanded in the construction specifications that the Architect/Engineering subcontractor 

develops in coordination with LBNL.

Landscaping would begin as soon as surface disturbances are completed for each relevant area. 

Most landscaping would take place following completion of earth-moving activities. The 

construction/grading contractor would hydro-seed the north end of the site during the fall of 2004 

so as to minimize the erosion control measures required, but the actual timetable would not be 

firmly established until a contractor has been retained and a detailed construction plan is 

developed. 

It is anticipated that some dewatering may be necessary during project excavation and 

construction. Excavation for the site may intersect bedrock containing fracture flow thereby 

causing surface seeps within the excavation. This is expected to be a temporary condition during 

construction that would be managed by temporary dewatering systems. If a groundwater seepage 

condition were to occur, and management of this condition were to become necessary, the 

Proposed Action could require a subdrain system or other engineered solution to reduce 

groundwater levels around the building. This, however, would not constitute significant 

alteration or depletion of a valuable or beneficial groundwater resource.
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If dewatering is necessary during excavation and construction, the groundwater seepage would 

not be expected to contain any chemicals of special concern given the results of sampling 

conducted in January 2002. Such wate r, were it encountered, could therefore be discharged to 

storm drains. 

As discussed above, potential on-site erosion associated with construction operations would be 

minimized to a less than significant level by a site and project-specific erosion control plan that 

would be included as a part of the project design and would be implemented as a condition of 

approval for construction.

OPERATIONS

The Proposed Action would not use water supplied from groundwater sources at the site, but from 

the East Bay Municipal Utility District supply system. Therefore, the Proposed Action would not 

need to pump groundwater and would not contribute to the depletion of an established 

groundwater resource.

As part of the Proposed Action, surface water runoff would be re-routed into the LBNL storm 

drain system and conveyed to an existing detention basin near Centennial Drive in Strawberry 

Creek that subsequently discharges water further downstream. Storm water generated within the 

LBNL facility is currently managed in conformance with LBNL’s NPDES General Permit for 

Storm Water Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity, as required by the Clean Water Act 

and the State Water Resources Control Board. Oversight and enforcement of this permit is 

provided by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. Implementation of 

the permit requirements is detailed in LBNL’s SWPPP and Storm Water Monitoring Plan 

(SWMP). Since the Proposed Action would be required to comply with LNBL’s existing SWPPP 

and NPDES permit requirements, potential impacts associated with violation of water quality 

standards from future project site storm water runoff is anticipated to be less than significant.

The project site does not lie within the 100-year flood plain as determined by the Federal 

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood hazard mapping, and would not include the 

construction of housing. There are no impounded water bodies upstream from the project site, 

and therefore flooding associated with failure of a dam or inundation by seiche is not anticipated 

to affect the Proposed Action. As the Proposed Action site is located approximately 700 feet 

above mean sea level, potential inundation by tsunami is extremely remote.

5.1.3 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES

SPECIAL STATUS WILDLIFE

The project site is close to designated critical habitat for the Alameda whipsnake (it is 

approximately 500 feet north of the nearest critical habitat boundary). After it conducted site 

visits during the summer of 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) determined that 

the future Proposed Action site and surrounding areas, along with certain other LBNL areas, 

should be excluded from its final critical habitat listing (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2000). 
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Since the Proposed Action site was excluded from the final listing by the USFWS, it is not 

considered to be critical habitat of the Alameda whipsnake. The closest shrub community to the 

proposed site is an area of north coastal scrub approximately 1500 feet to the east and separated 

from it by roads and other development within the LBNL (McGinniss 1996). Alameda 

whipsnakes can be found well away from shrub communities. However, the habitat value of 

grasslands on the site is attenuated by the distance from the shrub area, the potential dispersal 

barrier produced by existing development, and the lack of rock outcrops both on the site and in 

the surrounding area. On-site grassland habitat value is further reduced by annual vegetation 

management for fuel reduction purposes, which includes reduction of grass and shrub heights, 

either with goats or by mechanical means, and removal of non-native trees within 100 feet of 

existing buildings. Such reduction of vegetative cover further reduces the possibility that 

whipsnakes would use the area as a dispersal corridor.

Although the site is not located in USFWS-designated critical habitat, due to the potential for 

Alameda whipsnake movement into the project area, mitigation measures would be prudent to 

ensure that whipsnakes are protected to the greatest extent possible during project construction. 

The mitigation measures presented below include avoidance measures developed in informal 

consultation with USFWS during site surveys for the water tank and fire road realignment 

components of a previous LBNL project: the Sitewide Water Distribution Upgrade project. The 

incorporation of these avoidance measures into that project resulted in an informal determination 

by the USFWS that LBNL’s Sitewide Water Distribution Upgrade project would not be likely to 

adversely affect the Alameda whipsnake or its critical habitat (USFWS 2001; LBNL 

NEPA/CEQA Program 2001; J. Philliber, pers. com. 2002). 

• Prior to the initiation of excavation, construction, or vehicle operation, the project area shall 

be surveyed by a designated monitor, trained in Alameda whipsnake identification and 

ecology by a qualified biologist, to ensure that no Alameda whipsnakes are present. This 

survey shall not be intended to be a protocol-level survey, but rather one designed to verify 

that no snakes are actually on site. 

• All on-site workers shall attend an Alameda whipsnake information session conducted by 

the designated monitor. This session shall cover identification of the species and 

procedures to be followed if an individual is found on site. 

• All lay-down and deposition areas shall be inspected each morning by a designated monitor 

to ensure that Alameda whipsnakes are not present. All construction activities that take 

place on the ground shall be performed in daylight hours. Vehicle speed on site shall not 

exceed 15 miles per hour. Construction materials, soil, construction debris, or other 

material shall be deposited only on areas where vegetation has been mowed and any snakes 

present would be readily visible. 

• The site is subject to annual vegetation management involving the close-cropping of all 

grasses and ground cover on the project area; this management shall be done prior to 

initiation of construction. Re-mowing shall be done if grass or other vegetation on the 

project site becomes high enough to conceal whipsnakes during the construction period.
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A number of protected butterfly species also potentially occur in the project area. However, since 

the site is dominated by non-native grassland, with no larval host plants present, suitable habitat

does not exist on site for the Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydras editha bayensis; federally 

listed as threatened) or the Callipe silverspot butterfly (Speyeria callippe callippe; federally listed 

as endangered). The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus; a state special status species) roosts 

in eucalyptus groves; no suitable groves are on or near the site.

The site lies upslope from the Chicken Creek and Strawberry Creek drainages, and it is possible 

that the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii; federally listed as threatened and a 

state species of special concern), the western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata, a state species of 

special concern), and the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii, a state species of special 

concern) might be present in the general area of the project site. However, the site itself does not 

provide suitable habitat for these species, and it is unlikely that they would migrate through it, 

since the site is not located between creek drainages and other suitable habitat. Another 

amphibian, the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense, a state species of special 

concern) requires seasonal pools for breeding, and the site and its surroundings do not provide 

suitable habitat. The Berkeley kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermani berkeleyensis, a state special 

status species) is apparently extinct, and in any event the site provides no habitat since the density 

of the grassland vegetation is greater than is generally suitable for kangaroo rats.

The project site potentially provides a small amount of foraging habitat for golden eagles (Aquila 

chrysaetos, a state species of special concern) and for the white-tailed kite (Elanus leucurus, a 

state special status species). Although the amount of existing development and activity proposed 

in the area of the site would lower its value as foraging habitat, the site is relatively small. 

Consequently, no significant adverse impacts to these species are expected.

SPECIAL STATUS PLANTS

A thorough review and analysis of specia l status plant species, listed by the CNDDB (2002) and 

CNPS (2002) databases, as occurring in the Oakland East, Oakland West, Richmond, and Briones 

Valley USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles, indicates the likelihood of adverse project impacts for 

most of the species listed is extremely low due to the following reasons:

• suitable habitat for a species either never existed on the site or no longer does due to 

historical and ongoing disturbance of soils and vegetation;

• a species is not documented within the general vicinity of the project site, i.e., the western 

side of the Oakland-Berkeley Hills;

• only historical occurrences for a species are documented;

• a species has been extirpated from the quadrangle or county. 

There are two special status plants listed in the databases as occurring further downslope from the 

project site in Strawberry Canyon. The first of these, western leatherwood (Dirca occidentalis) 

was not observed by ESA within the project footprint. This shrub occurs almost exclusively on 
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north-facing slopes, as an element of coastal scrub or oak woodland communities. The second, 

robust monardella (Monardella villosa ssp. globosa), is documented historically from the area. 

However, this species is generally found in chaparral and no suitable habitat remains within or 

near the project footprint.

The CNDDB (2002) lists several sensitive natural communities as occurring in the USGS 

quadrangles searched, including northern maritime chaparral, serpentine bunchgrass, and valley 

needlegrass grassland. However, none of these communities occur on or in the vicinity of the 

project site. 

Additional runoff generated by the new building would be routed into existing storm drains. 

Although the Proposed Action is located within 500 feet of Chicken Creek, there would be no 

adverse effects on the creek or the riparian habitat lining its banks, nor would the Proposed 

Action result in any significant impacts to the riparian corridor along Strawberry Creek. Standard 

erosion control measures would be used to ensure that sediment generated by construction would 

not enter the creeks (see analysis, Hydrology and Water Quality). 

Therefore, the Proposed Action is not expected to have a substantial adverse effect on any of the 

special status plant species or natural communities of federal, state, and local concern.

With the inclusion of mitigation measures incorporated as part of this Proposed Action, the 

Proposed Action would have a less than significant impact on biological resources.

5.1.4 HISTORIC AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

Although, according to the 1987 SEIR and a more recent survey conducted in 1999, there are no 

known paleontological resources in the vicinity of the project site, excavation, grading, and 

construction activities may create an adverse effect on any unknown archaeological and 

paleontological resources found on the site. 

In the unlikely event of the discovery of archaeological and paleontological artifacts during 

construction, all activities within a 50-foot radius would be halted and a qualified archaeological/ 

paleontological monitor would inspect the site within 24 hours. If the find is determined to be 

significant and merits formal recording or data collection, time and funding would be required to 

salvage the material. Any archaeologically important data recovered during monitoring would be 

cleaned, catalogued and analyzed, with the results presented in a report of finding that satisfies 

professional standards.

Since the Proposed Action is unlikely to contain any archaeological and paleontological 

resources, it would also be unlikely to encounter human remains in the vicinity of the project site. 

If human remains should be encountered during construction, work would be halted and 

procedures described above would be implemented.
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OPERATIONS

With the implementation of the above-described mitigation measure during the construction 

phase of development, it is anticipated that the operations of the proposed Molecular Foundry 

complex would not have a significant impact on historic and archaeological resources.

5.1.5 VISUAL QUALITY

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

Excavation, grading, and construction activities would create a short-term adverse effect on the 

visual quality of the site and surroundings. These activities would occur during a 6-month time 

period and would require the removal and fill of about 32,000 cubic yards of soil. 

The aesthetic environment during that time would incorporate elements typical to a construction site 

such as bulldozers, trucks, loaders, and excavators, as well as disturbed hillside land and surfaces. 

Severe angular cuts and/or filling which results in an unnatural or engineered appearance would 

be avoided where feasible. In addition, graded slopes would be feathered and rounded where 

feasible to provide a natural transition between the graded site and adjacent ungraded areas. 

Furthermore, grading would be minimized though the use of retaining walls where compatible 

with proper design. 

The Proposed Action would require removal of approximately three dozen trees to accommodate 

building footprints, roads, grading and construction activities. Trees proposed for removal include 

Monterey pine, coastal redwood, coast live oak, and bay. The majority of the trees would be 

removed from the area adjacent to the western and southern faces of Building 72. Fewer than one 

dozen trees to be removed are downslope from the Building 66 rear parking lot. These trees occur 

in generally isolated patches. Much larger groves consisting of up to several hundred trees each in 

the general vicinity would remain untouched by the Proposed Action, including a large screening 

grove of Canary Island pines to the west, a grove of screening redwoods to the southwest, a riparian 

corridor of various trees to the west and southwest, and several contiguous groves of oak, bay, 

acacia, and eucalyptus trees stretching from south of the project to the northeast.

The Proposed Action would transplant up to ten redwood or similarly sized trees along the 

western perimeter of Lee Road to provide screening for the Proposed Action. Trees would be 

positioned to maximize screening values. In addition, replacement trees would be planted or 

transplanted in various locations in and surrounding the project site, particularly in the area 

between the Lee Road extension and the proposed Central Utility Plant building, which would 

receive about one-dozen trees. All trees placed by the Proposed Action would be irrigated as 

necessary. Because the principal screening values and visual character of project-removed trees 

would be replaced, tree removal for this project would not cause a significant impact.

The Proposed Action would not have a significant adverse effect on the visual quality of the site 

and surroundings during excavation, grading, and construction activities.
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OPERATIONS

With implementation of the Proposed Action, long-range views towards the Bay from a short 

segment of Lawrence Road adjacent to the site would be blocked, although numerous existing 

vantage points and view corridors within a quarter mile of the site would remain unaltered by the 

Proposed Action. In addition, the Proposed Action would alter views of the mostly vacant site 

from nearby areas, including the hillside residential areas along Grizzly Peak and Panoramic Hill, 

as well as from the adjacent UC Berkeley campus.

Although many trees would be removed, the East Strawberry Canyon perimeter “buffer zone,” 

consisting of existing and proposed plantings of tall, indigenous tree stands would be maintained 

to act as a visual buffer between LBNL development and adjacent uses including the UC 

Berkeley campus, nearby hillside residential areas, Lawrence Hall of Science, and UC Botanical 

Garden. This would be in keeping with the visual buffer and landscaping directives of the 1987 

LRDP. Furthermore, landscape planting areas within and adjacent to the site would be 

established to “unify the site visually, to relate the site to adjacent vegetation of the Berkeley 

Hills, and to provide compatibility between buildings and adjacent properties” (1987 LRDP, 

p.16). The conceptual landscaping plan for the project site consists of three zones: a crafted zone 

to be located to the south, natural zones to the west and east, and a parking zone to the north. The 

crafted zone would include an elevated terrace space between Building 66 and the Proposed 

Action, and would incorporate both hard and soft landscaping elements to connect and unify the 

building uses. The natural zone includes fire-resistant ground cover for erosion control, as well 

as decorative plant materials that would be selected based on their indigenous, water-saving, and 

low-maintenance characteristics. Finally, the parking zone would be located atop the utilities 

building to minimize the area’s footprint and any potential disturbance to the existing natural 

environment. 

As the proposed development would be located between existing buildings of comparable height 

and massing, and vegetative screening would be incorporated, the change in landscape would not 

be discernible at a detailed local level, but rather the change would appear as a general increase in 

development of the LBNL site. The Proposed Action would therefore not have a substantial 

adverse effect on a scenic vista.

The Proposed Action would result in a visual change to the project site because it would entail the 

construction of a six-story building (four stories cantilevered atop two basement levels) on a 

mostly undeveloped portion of the hillside site. Associated roof-top parking would be provided 

at a proposed nearby, below-grade utilities building. The Proposed Action would be located in an 

area that is developed with existing science research buildings and associated uses of similar 

massing and height, and would incorporate buffer zone landscaping, as described above, around 

the perimeter of the project site for screening purposes. Natural landscaping details include fireresistant ground cover for erosion control, as well as decorative plant materials that blend with the 

surrounding wooded hillside. Furthermore, the Proposed Action would implement existing 

design guidelines, as described in the 1987 LRDP, and would undergo design review by LBNL 

architects and engineers prior to construction to ensure project conformance with the guidelines. 

The proposed building would incorporate architectural details that are similar to or that 
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complement adjacent development; the building exterior materials would incorporate a nonreflective material to minimize glare and exterior maintenance, and the roof would consist of a 

single-sheet, co-polymer roofing membrane system with heat-reflective coating to reduce solar 

gain. Metallic screens would be located on the roof to conceal rooftop mechanical exhaust 

equipment. The current LRDP designates the project site as a “proposed addition,” and 

anticipated that a laboratory building would be constructed there. As the Proposed Action would 

conform to the current LRDP land use designation, and would incorporate site-sensitive 

landscaping and design principles into project design, the Proposed Action would not 

substantially degrade the existing visual quality of the site and its surroundings beyond what was 

anticipated and analyzed in the LRDP EIR, as amended.

The Proposed Action would be located in a hillside area of the LBNL site that includes several 

other LBNL buildings that provide existing sources of light and glare, including the adjacent 

Buildings 72 and 66. The site is also located along local roadways, including Lawrence Road and 

Lee Road, where street lighting projects light and glare during evening hours. The Proposed 

Action includes an open-surface parking area atop a proposed, below-grade utilities building and 

anticipates outdoor lighting for operation purposes. In addition, the Proposed Action would 

include some fixed exterior lighting, particularly at building entrance points and at the surface 

parking area, to promote worker safety. The Proposed Action would include a detailed exterior 

lighting plan that would be reviewed by LBNL’s architects and engineers prior to construction. 

Furthermore, the Proposed Action would be required to utilize non-reflective exterior materials, 

would adhere to a foot-candle maximum level at night, and would install light caps on all outdoor 

fixtures to minimize potential light and glare spillover impacts. As these actions would ensure 

compatibility with surrounding land uses, the Proposed Action would not result in a significant 

new source of light or glare.

The Proposed Action would therefore not have a significant impact on the visual quality of the 

site, or the visual quality of areas in the vicinity of the site.

5.1.6 TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

The approximately 24-month construction phase of the Proposed Action would result in 

temporary increases in traffic volumes on area roadways. This temporary increase is associated 

with the movement of construction workers and equipment used for excavation and construction 

of the proposed building and the new roadway extension. Construction-related traffic would 

cause a temporary and intermittent lessening of the capacities of project area streets because of 

the slower movements and larger turning radii of construction trucks compared to passenger 

vehicles. Because construction-generated trips are expected to be spread more or less evenly 

throughout a construction workday, impacts on peak-hour traffic likely would be limited. In 

addition, LBNL expects to use materials excavated for the building to construct the new roadway 

extension. Contractors would implement standard Best Management Practices in order to 

mitigate any short-term construction-related transportation impacts. Generally, these practices 
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include implementation of a traffic control plan, such as measures (e.g., advance warning signs, 

flaggers to direct traffic, and advance notification of interested parties about the location, timing, 

and duration of construction activity) to maintain safe and efficient traffic flow during the 

construction period. The effect on traffic conditions would be less than significant. 

OPERATIONS

Net new trip generation was estimated based on proposed maximum staff levels and expected 

work hours (by category of worker), as well as commute travel mode splits, trip distribution 

pattern, and data pertaining to non-commute trips from data gathered for the LBNL LRDP EIR 

analysis. As described above, the LBNL shuttle system provides frequent service between 

downtown Berkeley and the LBNL site, as well as service within the LBNL site, which includes a 

shuttle bus stop in front of the project site. Given the nature of the work that would be conducted 

in the proposed building, the scientists (staff and visiting) would generally work irregular hours. 

For example, on some days, a scientist might work hours analogous to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

work days typical of office workers, but on other days that same scientist might work 10:00 a.m. 

to 7:00 p.m., or might work on a Saturday instead of one of the weekdays. The irregularity of 

work hours would result in varied peak-hour trips from day to day. Nevertheless, the estimate of 

project-generated new vehicle trips is based on conservative assumptions so as to not understate 

potential impacts associated with the Proposed Action. 

Two scenarios were prepared – one based on observed temporal distribution of peak-hour 

commute trips exhibited by similar categories of workers at Buildings 62, 66, 72, 74, and 84, 

located in proximity to the project site, and the other based on a reasonably higher (conservative) 

temporal distribution of those trips. The latter scenario yields about 50 percent higher peak-hour 

vehicle trips than the first scenario. The Proposed Action would generate up to about 30 to 35 net 

new vehicle trips during the morning and evening peak hours. About half of those trips would 

pass through the main (Blackberry Canyon) gate; the remaining trips would use the Strawberry 

Canyon gate, split between Grizzly Peak Road / Centennial Drive and Stadium Rim Way / 

Centennial Drive. 

Under future (2020) conditions, traffic volumes would increase on area roadways, and at study 

intersections, due to development foreseen by LBNL under its revised LRDP, by the cities of 

Berkeley and Oakland, and by UC Berkeley. Recent (2001) estimates of increases in roadway 

and intersection traffic volumes were presented in the University of California at Berkeley’s 

Northeast Quadrant Science and Safety (NEQSS) Projects EIR and the City of Berkeley’s 

General Plan Update EIR. The study intersections would continue to operate at acceptable levels 

of service (LOSD or better) during the a.m. and p.m. peak hours, except at the Gayley Road / 

Stadium Rim Way intersection, where delays within LOS F would increase. As described above, 

new traffic generated by the Proposed Action would be modest and would be dispersed among 

roads accessing the entrance gates, and therefore levels of service at the key (gateway) 

intersections would not change with the addition of project traffic. The contribution of projectgenerated traffic to LOS F conditions at Gayley/Stadium Rim would be less than significant 

(i.e., the increase in average vehicle delay caused by the addition of project traffic at the latter 
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intersection would be less than two seconds during both peak hours).9 The operation of the 

Proposed Action therefore would have a less than significant impact on traffic conditions on the 

area roadway system. 

The Proposed Action would neither alter the physical configuration of the existing roadway 

network serving the area, nor introduce unsafe design features or incompatible uses into the area. 

The physical and traffic characteristics of area roadways (e.g., traffic signal and stop-sign control, 

pedestrian crosswalks and crossing signals, and bicycle lanes) would safely accommodate 

project-generated traffic (both vehicular and non-motorized). The project’s effect on safety 

would be less than significant.

The proposed system of access and egress for the parking area serving the proposed building 

would adequately accommodate the mix of users, and there would be less than significant impacts 

associated with project access.

The Proposed Action would displace 18 existing spaces in a surface lot, and provide 16 new 

spaces on the upper level of the Central Utility Plant / parking facility). The estimated projectgenerated parking demand would be accommodated through a combination of the 16-space 

on-site parking supply and the other on-site parking spaces connected to the project building by 

the LBNL shuttle bus. Because there would be no spillover of parking demand from the project 

site into adjacent neighborhoods, any parking impact would be internal to the LBNL site, and 

therefore, the Proposed Action would have a less than significant parking impact. 

The Proposed Action would result in a less than significant impact on traffic, circulation, and 

parking at the project site and in the vicinity.

5.1.7 AIR QUALITY

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

The proposed Molecular Foundry buildings and roadway segment would be constructed on a site 

created by cutting and filling about 32,000 cubic yards of earth and rock. All excavated material 

would be used on-site, and there would be no trucking of material off-site (balanced cut and fill). 

Grading would occur from about April to September 2004. Equipment would be standard dieselpowered loaders, excavators, bulldozers, and trucks. No blasting would occur. Any building 

foundation would be drilled rather than driven. Utility relocation, including trenching, would 

occur from about February 2004 to February 2006.

 

9 Revised traffic volumes projections will be prepared as part of the LBNL LRDP EIR. It should be noted, however, 

that if the later projections indicate that 2020 volumes will be higher than the volumes presented in the UC 

Berkeley and City of Berkeley EIRs cited herein, that will mean that the percent contribution to 2020 conditions 

from the Molecular Foundry project would be smaller than presented in the EA/IS, and therefore the less than 

significant determination would remain valid. 
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Trucks would arrive on-site delivering building materials and concrete for foundations. Building 

construction might involve compressors, pneumatic equipment such as drills and nut drivers, 

cranes, forklifts, and other equipment. A rotary drill rig, likely powered by diesel engines, would 

bore holes for pilings as part of the foundation.

Construction activities associated with the Proposed Action would create PM-10 and ozone 

precursor emissions. However, there are no published construction emission thresholds, and the 

BAAQMD has accounted for construction emissions in its Clean Air Plan. Implementation of 

standard LBNL construction practices (see Appendix “A”) would reduce the impact of 

construction-related fugitive dust emissions to a less than significant impact.

OPERATIONS

Project operation would result in emissions primarily from the increase in motor vehicle trips to 

the site and, to a lesser extent, from other area and on-site stationary sources (such as natural gas 

combustion for space and water heating, and landscaping). The Proposed Action would create 

increased electric energy demand from air conditioning and heating equipment. Electricity 

demand requires more fossil fuel combustion at regional power plants. This would not affect the 

immediate area but would add incrementally but not measurably to the regional pollutant burden 

of ozone precursors, particularly oxides of nitrogen. A new diesel emergency generator and an 

associated 3,000-gallon above-ground fuel tank are proposed as part of the Proposed Action. 

Emissions associated with this generator would be accounted for and limited by the Permit to 

Operate that would be required from the BAAQMD. BAAQMD would perform a risk 

assessment on air emissions from this generator as part of reviewing the permit application to 

ensure that impacts do not exceed District significance thresholds. 

Mobile source emissions would include emissions from trucks and delivery vehicles, and 

employee commute trips. Approximately 137 new employees and students would use the 

Molecular Foundry, approximately 95 of whom would be potential new “drivers” to the site.10 

LBNL offers carpooling privileges and shuttle bus services to its employees to reduce driving of 

personal vehicles. The BAAQMD considers emissions from projects generating fewer than 2,000 

trips per day to be less than significant, since this number of trips is not likely to exceed the 80 

pounds per day significance threshold established by the District for ROG, NOx, and PM-10. 

The Proposed Action would generate well below 1,000 trips per day, and is estimated to result in 

far less than the 80 pounds per day significance threshold established by the BAAQMD.

Project-related emissions would not be expected to conflict with or obstruct implementation of 

any applicable state or Federal air quality plans, including the Ozone Attainment Plan, the Bay 

Area 2000 Clean Air Plan, and the Carbon Monoxide Maintenance Plan. In addition, the 

Proposed Action would not violate any applicable air quality standard or contribute substantially 

to any existing or projected air quality violations. Furthermore, it would not result in a 

 

10Out of 137 Molecular Foundry occupants, 6 would be “directors” currently on staff at LBNL whose current positions 

would not be replaced; approximately 36 would be UC Berkeley graduate students who would not have driving 

privileges at LBNL. This would leave about 95 new potential drivers among the Molecular Foundry staff. 
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cumulatively considerable net increase of ozone and its precursors (i.e., ROG and oxides of 

Nitrogen), or PM-10.

HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC AIR EMISSIONS

The proposed laboratory would use many types of chemicals, most of which would be kept and 

used on-site in small quantities. The Laboratory has written procedures to guide personnel in 

specific methods of storing these chemicals in correct containers and safety cabinets. Individual 

laboratories would contain fume hoods—for a combined building total of 48 fume hoods--which 

would be vented to the outside atmosphere at the building rooftop. Discharge from the fume 

exhaust would meet vertical velocity and stack height requirements. LBNL requires construction 

of building ventilation systems to minimize criteria air pollutants. Wind analysis would be 

conducted during project design to ensure that placement of exhaust stacks on the roof would not 

cause re-entrainment of exhaust into fresh air intake ducts, which would be located on or near the 

rooftop of the Molecular Foundry building. A Preliminary Hazard Analysis Report is under 

preparation for the Proposed Action by LBNL and will be completed at the time of final project 

design. 

Two BAAQMD programs evaluate the health risks associated with routine TAC emissions from 

any activity. First, and most applicable to the Molecular Foundry, BAAQMD’s permitting 

program identifies activities that would exceed risk-based TAC emission thresholds from new or 

modified sources. The need for an operating permit for laboratory activities would be assessed 

from more reliable emissions estimates made closer to actual construction of the facility, although 

it is expected that the Molecular Foundry would qualify for BAAQMD’s permit exemption for 

research laboratories, like the other research activities found at LBNL. The purpose of this 

permitting process is to ensure that proposed emissions are le ss-than-significant, and the 

BAAQMD would impose project conditions, if necessary, to reduce projected emissions until 

they conform to District significance standards before issuing a permit. Second, BAAQMD’s Air 

Toxics Hot Spots Program updates a facility-wide TAC emissions inventory once each year 

during the renewal of operating permits. To date, LBNL TAC emissions fall below the 

thresholds for incorporation into the BAAQMD Toxic Inventory Database. 

The Molecular Foundry laboratories would contain sma ll amounts of chemicals similar to those 

found in other LBNL scientific facilities. These types of chemicals are those typically used in 

hospitals and medical and research laboratories and pose little environmental risk when used in 

typical research quantities following accepted research procedures. The completed Hazard 

Analysis Report will identify in detail the toxic metals that would be used and stored in each 

laboratory, and the associated types of experiments that would be conducted. These include 

organic solvents and toxic metals, such as cadmium and arsenic. Chemicals used in laboratories 

would generally be handled in very small quantities (i.e., probably on the order of up to a few 

hundred grams) and liquids would tend to be handled in quantities of a few centiliters or less. 

This is consistent with the nature of the experiments that deal with substances and properties on a 

micro- and nanoscale. Any quantifiable air quality public health risk from laboratory activities 
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would be extremely small and well below significance thresholds.11 In addition, the proposed 

Molecular Foundry project does not include the use of radioactive materials.

The Proposed Action would not create or substantially contribute to a significant TAC impact. 

Emissions of TACs are regulated by their projected risk to any individual located outside the 

LBNL property, regardless of the land use designation (e.g., commercial). The risk from TAC 

emissions is expected to remain below these BAAQMD thresholds. The buffer areas and 

University lands that surround LBNL further lower the risk levels at the nearest residential areas, 

which are approximately one-third mile distance. At that distance, operational TAC emissions 

from the Proposed Action are expected to be extremely small or immeasurable. According to the 

BAAQMD, a Proposed Action is expected to have a less-than-significant cumulative TAC impact 

if it does not pose an individually significant TAC impact and is consistent with the governing 

general plan. That general plan should provide for appropriate buffer zones to protect sensitive 

receptors from TAC emissions. The LBNL LRDP does maintain appropriate designated buffer 

areas between the proposed Molecular Foundry site and the nearest residential areas. The 

Proposed Action therefore meets the BAAQMD requirements. 

Furthermore, the Proposed Action is expected to neither create nor measurably contribute to any 

local toxic air contaminant “hot spots,” as defined by the BAAQMD. “Hot spots,” pursuant to 

California Assembly Bill 2588, are regions, either small or large, where individual or cumulative 

levels of TACs exceed safety or significance risk thresholds. Annually, LBNL provides 

information to BAAQMD to help this agency determine the existence of any hot spots in the Bay 

Area. There are no identified hot spots in the area to which the Proposed Action would 

measurably contribute.

LBNL’s mandatory standards for all projects include those that would assure adequate shipping, 

treatment, storage and/or disposal of hazardous wastes, continuation of LBNL’s waste 

minimization programs, licensed hazardous waste haulers, implementation of employee 

communication and training requirements for hazardous wastes, and continued updating of 

LBNL’s emergency preparedness and response programs on an annual basis. Additional 

discussion is provided in Section 4.14. Hazards and Human Health, below.

The Proposed Action would not result in a significant impact to air quality.

5.1.8 NOISE

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

To evaluate potential Proposed Action impacts on the nearest noise-sensitive uses, simultaneous 

noise measurements were taken on the project site and at three residences in the Panoramic Hill 

 

11 Current estimates indicate that concentrations of TAC emissions from the proposed project would be so low as to 

be immeasurable or extremely small at the nearest residential neighborhood fenceline. In fact, preliminary 

screening estimates indicate that the entire expected annual chemical inventory of the proposed Molecular Foundry 

would be so small that, were it to be emitted at a 100% annual rate (a physically impossible, conservative scenario), 

the vast majority of these chemicals would be unlikely to even approach BAAQMD regulatory thresholds at the 

LBNL fenceline.
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Neighborhood. Construction noise would typically be generated by large, diesel-powered 

equipment. Since construction equipment was unavailable, a large commercial tree-limb grinder 

was used to generate noise at a suitable level. A noise meter was set up 50 feet from the grinder 

while simultaneous readings were taken at three locations in nearby neighborhoods. A summary 

of this data is presented in Table 4, below.

TABLE 4

FORECAST CONSTRUCTION NOISE MEASUREMENT DATA (decibels)

Noise Level dB

(Average of several 

measurements)

Project 

Site

365 

Panoramic 

Way

Project 

Site

299 

Panoramic 

Way

Project 

Site

45 Canyon 

Road

Ambient 54.1 45.0 54.7 45.8 51.5 47.0

Engine Only 82.3 45.8 85.0 50.6 85.9 50.4

Grinding wood 91.6 50.5 N/A N/A N/A N/A

_________________________ 

1 Tests made during dry weather, wind approximately 3-5 mph from west, temp approximately 70 F.

2 Sites on Panoramic Way are in City of Berkeley, the site on Canyon Road is in the City of Oakland.

3 “N/A” indicates that accurate measurements could not be obtained at these locations because wood grinding noises 

were highly variable during short periods of time. 

The noisiest phases of construction could create noise at 89 dBA Leq (50 feet). During field 

measurements, at the nearest residences, about 1,500 feet away, the measured noise levels 

diminished to about 50 dBA. The large amount of trees and shrubbery in the area between the 

homes and the project site help create favorable attenuation by absorbing, rather than reflecting, 

sound energy. These measured values are supported by calculated attenuation. Thus, predicted 

construction noise levels would not violate the Oakland Noise Ordinance or the City of Berkeley 

Noise Ordinance. The Proposed Action would therefore not significantly increase the daytime 

noise environment at nearby sensitive receptors.

OPERATIONS

The Proposed Action could generate noise from motor vehicle trips as well as from stationary 

sources such as Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) equipment. A change in noise 

level of less than three dBA is not discernible to the general population; an increase in average 

noise levels of three dBA is considered barely perceptible, while an increase of five dBA is 

considered readily perceptible to most people (Caltrans, 1998). 

Traffic levels anticipated by the Proposed Action would not result in perceptible project-related 

noise.
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HVAC equipment involves fans and compressors that are designed by the manufacturer to 

operate quietly and unobtrusively. Since LBNL would install and operate the HVAC equipment 

in compliance with manufacturer’s standards, the noise impact to nearby residents and adjacent 

land uses would be less than significant. 

Much of the equipment at LBNL is very sensitive to groundborne noise or vibration. There are 

no existing sources of groundborne noise or groundborne vibration at or around the site. The 

Proposed Action would not introduce any new sources of groundborne noise or vibration.

While the Proposed Action is consistent with the City of Oakland’s General Plan Noise Element 

and Noise Ordinance, and is consistent with the City of Berkeley’s Noise Ordinance, the 

additional measures that would be incorporated as part of the Proposed Action would assure that 

the Proposed Action would not expose sensitive receptors to excessive noise levels.

5.1.9 PUBLIC SERVICES

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

The construction phase of the Proposed Action could affect response times to the project site and 

its vicinity as a result of any potential temporary construction-related roadway lane closures and 

detours. The Proposed Action would be supported by a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that 

would include engineers and project managers, as well as industrial hygiene, environmental 

protection, design and construction safety, ergonomics, fire protection, and radiation protection 

professionals from LBNL’s EH&S Division. Construction activities would be overseen so as to 

comply with applicable safety requirements of Berkeley Lab, DOE, CAL/OSHA, and Federal 

OSHA. All appropriate fire, emergency medical, and police services would be consulted and 

apprised of every appropriate aspect of project design and construction.

OPERATIONS

The site is already within an area served by adequate fire and police protection services. The 

current level of staffing for fire protection services and the LBNL security force is adequate to 

support fire and police protection services for the Proposed Action. 

5.1.10 PUBLIC UTILITIES

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

Disposal of solid waste generated during construction would be the responsibility of the 

contractor. Due to the “cut and fill” nature of project grading, the Proposed Action would not 

create excavation spoils that would need to be hauled and disposed of off-site.

Utility hookups, pipes, and wiring would be accomplished as part of the construction of the 

Proposed Action. Construction-related impacts related to dust and construction equipment are 

discussed in the Air Quality and Noise sections of this analysis. Existing utility connections are 
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located in the vicinity of the project site, generally in existing right-of-ways. Some project 

connections may result in temporary construction-related delays to traffic along Lawrence and 

Lee Roads.

OPERATIONS

The Proposed Action is located adjacent to an urban area and is already served by utilities and 

service systems. It is not anticipated that additional needs created by the Proposed Action would 

be sufficient to necessitate construction of new or substantially expanded systems.

The existing distribution system would supply water for all laboratory uses and has sufficient 

capacity to meet the flow rate and duration requirements for both daily use and fire protection. 

Although the Proposed Action is expected to increase water use by less than approximately 1,500 

gallons per day, it would not cause a significant impact because relatively unrestricted water 

volume is available from EBMUD. Peak water capacity for the Proposed Action would be 325 

gallons per minute, although actual usage rates would be far lower.

Any increase at the large capacity wastewater treatment plant would represent an incremental 

increase to its existing load, and therefore would not be expected to cause a significant impact. 

The proposed Molecular Foundry would be expected to generate less than 1,200 gallons per day 

of wastewater, which would flow through new project sewer lines connected to existing sewer 

lines. Peak wastewater capacity of the building would be 185 gallons per minute, although actual 

usage rates would be far lower. This would be well within the wastewater volumes projected, 

mitigated for, and adopted in the 1992 LRDP EIR and 1997 Addendum to the LRDP EIR. It 

would also not contribute to a substantial LBNL-wide increase in wet weather flows, as LBNL 

has worked in recent years to substantially reduce its peak wet weather flows and has effectively 

addressed its previous infiltration/inflow problems.

As part of the proposed action, LBNL will continue to seek to integrate and find opportunities for 

controlling and/or reducing the amount of infiltration and inflow into the existing sanitary sewer 

system. Runoff from the project site would be diverted into a detention basin upstream of 

Strawberry Creek. An existing 12-inch storm drain that crosses the site would be re-routed to the 

lower access road. There would be some incremental increase of controlled flow from the 

detention basin into the creek due to an increase in impermeable surface area associated with the 

Proposed Action. The existing system provides for runoff intensities expected in a 25-year 

maximum-intensity storm.

Although operations of the new building would create additional waste in proportion to the 

number of employees stationed there, its volume is not anticipated to be great enough to 

significantly affect existing facilities. LBNL has a recycling program, which it continues to 

expand and update.

The Proposed Action would include an on-site 8,000-gsf Central Utility Plant that would house 

mechanical and electrical equipment to serve the main building. It would contain systems for 

heating, cooling, and purification of air and water to be used in the Molecular Foundry. In 
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addition, it would hold a stand-alone diesel-engine generator to provide a source of emergency 

power. All normal operating electrical power would be supplied by Pacific Gas and Electric 

Company through the Lab’s existing infrastructure and the Grizzly Peak substation. 

The Proposed Action would result in additional use of utility services. However, when compared 

to the overall use of utility services at LBNL, utility usage at the proposed Molecular Foundry 

would be a proportionally small increase.

5.1.11 ENERGY

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

During the construction phase, electrical power would be provided to the construction site 

through temporary connections to the existing online distribution systems. Existing provisions of 

utilities, services, and energy at LBNL are expected to be adequate for temporary construction 

activities. Therefore, any impacts are expected to be less than significant.

OPERATIONS

Important components of meeting LBNL goals include a survey and study program to identify 

cost-effective energy savings measures; a retrofit program to implement the cost-effective 

projects; and a new buildings program which would ensure that new facilities meet all applicable 

energy performance standards, including both those developed by the Department of Energy 

Executive Order 12003 and 10 Code of Federal Regulations Part 436 and those issued by the 

State of California, Title 24. In addition, the specific building design of the Molecular Foundry 

would meet the requirements of 10 CFR 485, “Energy Conservation Voluntary Performance 

Standards for New Buildings.”

Electricity and gas consumption for the proposed Molecular Foundry would be similar to the 

consumption patterns of Building 2. Gas consumption at Building 2 was 125,000 therms per 

year, while electricity consumption was 8,580 megawatt-hours per year. Peak load electrical 

capacity of the Proposed Molecular Foundry building would be approximately 2,900 kVA. Peak 

load natural gas capacity would be 10,700 CFH (cubic feet per hour), for space and water heating 

as well as laboratory usage. Actual usage rates would be far below the peak capacity, generally 

in the 30 percent-of-peak capacity range.

As previously noted, the Grizzly Peak electric substation was recently expanded to incorporate a 

new and adjacent substation, the Hill Area UC Substation. This new Hill Area substation allowed 

the UC Berkeley campus to draw its power from it, thus allowing the LBNL exclusive use of the 

Grizzly Peak substation. Therefore, electric capacity was expanded for both UC Berkeley and 

LBNL.

No mitigation measures would be required.
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5.1.12 HAZARDS AND HUMAN HEALTH

EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

There is no history of hazardous materials processing, storage, or disposal on the project site. 

This is consistent with the findings of LBNL’s 10-year site-wide environmental investigation 

activities at Berkeley Lab. A soil sampling and analysis of the Proposed Action site was carried 

out in January 2002. This investigation involved testing for volatile organic compounds, heavy 

metals, and radiological contaminants. The results of these analyses indicate that the proposed 

Molecular Foundry project site is free of chemicals of potential concern. In addition, 

environmental investigations at the Proposed Action site have not revealed the presence of 

contaminated soil or groundwater. Demolition of the existing surface parking lot and excavation 

of the site is therefore not anticipated to result in potential exposure to hazardous materials.

OPERATIONS

The Proposed Action is anticipated to be classified by the Department of Energy as a non-nuclear 

low-hazard facility. With the exception of the above ground diesel tank for the emergency 

generator, the Molecular Foundry facility would not include bulk storage (e.g., large quantities 

beyond what is reasonably needed for short-term use) of flammable or combustible liquids or 

gases, corrosive, caustic, or otherwise reactive or toxic chemical substances. The Proposed 

Action would comply with all LBNL hazardous materials policies and programs, in addition to 

compliance with the Department of Energy Program and Project Management Practices.

Chemicals used at the site would be used in very small amounts, and would therefore not create a 

hazard to the public. Chemical wastes would be contained and ultimately disposed in accordance 

with all applicable and appropriate storage, transport, and disposal requirements. Satellite 

accumulation areas would be used to properly store hazardous waste until transferred to the 

RCRA-permitted Hazardous Waste Handling Facility. Pursuant to the required project features 

listed in Appendix “A,” the Proposed Action would track its safety and compliance performance 

in regard to hazardous materials; it would be required to confirm the appropriate licensing of any 

receiving facility for hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal; LBNL would continue its 

waste minimization programs to reduce the hazardous waste stream; and LBNL would confirm 

the appropriate licensing of any hazardous waste hauler serving the Proposed Action. 

Incorporation of these existing LBNL requirements into the Proposed Action would further 

reduce a less than significant impact.

Although the potential exposure to hazardous materials and hazards is already low, with the 

incorporation of the LRDP EIR, as amended, mitigation measures, any potential exposure to 

hazardous materials and hazards would be further reduced.
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5.2 ANALYSIS OF ABNORMAL EVENTS AND ACCIDENT 

SCENARIOS

5.2.1 EXCAVATION, GRADING, AND CONSTRUCTION

Routine accidents and injuries (e.g., slips, trips, and falls) are common occurrences at 

construction sites and are not considered abnormal events. Nevertheless, worker safety issues are 

addressed in the “excavation, grading, and construction” discussions throughout this document 

and would be further minimized by implementation of applicable Federal, state, OSHA, and 

LBNL regulations and practices, including those identified in Appendix “A” of this document.

Abnormal accidents would include serious equipment malfunction, or major structural or land 

stability failures due to faulty engineering or construction practices. Again, these issues have been 

addressed and would not be reasonably foreseeable given the inclusion of various precautionary 

elements of the project description, including those identified in Appendix “A” of this document.

5.2.2 OPERATIONS

Routine accidents and illnesses (e.g., slips, trips, minor, small quantity chemical spills) are 

common occurrences in a laboratory environment and are not considered abnormal events. 

Nevertheless, worker safety and laboratory procedures are addressed in the “operations” 

discussions throughout this document and would be further minimized by implementation of 

applicably Federal, state, OSHA, and LBNL regulations and practices, including those identified 

in Appendix “A” of this document.

Earthquake and/or fire damage to buildings could endanger workers inside or in the vicinity of 

the Proposed Action structures. Earthquake and fire safety issues are addressed throughout the 

document and earthquake- and fire-resistant design is a key component of the on-going design of 

the Proposed Action. The proposed Molecular Foundry building would be constructed to allow 

safe egress of all occupants during a maximum credible seismic event and/or fire. Earthquake 

and/or fire damage to buildings could result in emissions of chemicals. However, complete 

collapse and/or fire inundation of the proposed Molecular Foundry building would not be likely 

given the Lab’s adherence to structural and fire safety codes, its maintenance of an on-site fire 

department, its on-going vegetation management plan that has significantly reduced wildfire fuel 

in the surrounding areas, and the soon-to-be-completed construction of a 200,000-gallon 

emergency water tank uphill from the site in the East Canyon area. 

In addition, the proposed Molecular Foundry would not provide bulk storage for chemicals and 

chemical wastes. Safety cabinets and bracing would prevent the breaking and spillage of toxic 

and volatile chemicals. Fire, earthquake, and hazardous air emissions issues are addressed in the 

“operations” discussions throughout this document and would be further minimized by 

implementation of applicably Federal, state, OSHA, and LBNL regulations and practices, 

including those identified in Appendix “A” of this document. The proposed Molecular Foundry 

buildings would not store or use biological materials of high public concern, such as Biosafety 

level 3 or 4 materials and other biological materials not commonly used in other parts of LBNL.
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5.3 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROPOSED 

ALTERNATIVES

5.3.1 NO ACTION

This alternative would adversely affect LBNL’s ability to take advantage of funds available for 

nanoscience research under the National Nanotechnology Initiative, because there is no facility at 

LBNL that can provide adequate and consolidated space for the variety of disciplines necessary to 

make the required scientific breakthroughs in this area. There is also no space available for the 

sophisticated state -of-the-art research equipment for nanoscale research, which requires clean, 

utility-intensive modern laboratories. Finally, no space is available in close proximity to 

interrelated research support facilities, such as the NCEM and SSCL. 

5.3.2 DIFFERENT BUILDING CONFIGURATION

This alternative would result in a facility that is nearly 70 percent smaller than the proposed 

building. The smaller building would be less noticeable and would therefore likely have less of a 

visual impact on the site. The high number of staff and the smaller building would, in 

combination, however, severely restrict the amount of research that could be conducted at the 

site, and would restrict the ability of LBNL to meet the goals and objectives of the NNI. (In order 

to meet the research needs of the building, it would be more densely occupied than the Proposed 

Action).

This alternative would likely have less of a visual impact on the surrounding natural and built 

environment than the Proposed Action, because of its reduced size. Net new vehicle trips 

generated under this alternative would be reduced by approximately one-third to one-half, and the 

distribution of those trips among the entry gates for LBNL would be correspondingly less than 

under the Proposed Action. The potential effects on traffic conditions also would be somewhat 

less than those of the Proposed Action. This alternative would likely have slightly less potential 

to disturb potential archaeological resources and would remove somewhat fewer trees. Project 

features identified in Appendix “A” would keep this at a less-than-significant level. Potential 

effects to biological resources would be slightly reduced but similar, as would noise impacts, air 

quality impacts, and public services and utilities impacts. 

5.3.3 ALTERNATE BUILDING SITE (ON-SITE)

This alternative would require demolition of existing buildings, some of which have been 

preliminarily identified as historic resources. In addition, contaminated soil has been identified 

near Building 7, and demolition of older buildings would result in impacts to air quality as a 

result of probable asbestos and lead originally used in the construction of these buildings. 

Anticipated visual impacts from implementation of this alternative include impacts to the ALS 

building (Building 6), which is considered an important visual resource for the Lab. As 

construction and siting of the proposed building would likely obscure the ALS Building profile, a 

significant and unavoidable impact could occur under this alternative. Furthermore, National 
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Historic Preservation Act evaluation would be required of the historical significance of Buildings 

4, 5, 7, 14, and 16. 

Net new vehicle trips generated under this alternative, and the distribution of those trips among 

the entry gates of LBNL, would be the same as under the Proposed Action, and therefore, the 

potential effects on traffic conditions would be identical to the Proposed Action. Additional 

construction truck trips would be necessary to remove demolition debris and contaminated soil, if 

any, and to remove excavated soil that would not be used as fill in-place. 

There would be no potential impacts to Alameda whipsnake habitat, as the project site is 

completely developed. This alternative would be consistent with the LRDP except for any 

potential visual quality effect it might have on the ALS building. Potential effects on noise and 

public services and utilities would be similar to the Proposed Action.
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CHAPTER 6.0

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

6.1 PROJECTS IN VICINITY OF PROPOSED ACTION

Planned, pending, and/or reasonably foreseeable projects in the area of the Proposed Action 

include:

• A foreseeable proposal to construct an approximately five-story, 60,000 gsf office building 

near LBNL’s Blackberry Gate entrance (“50X Building”). This project would be a 

“decompression” building envisioned to provide relief for overcrowded office facilities 

elsewhere on-site; it would not result in an increase of LBNL’s population nor increase traffic 

impacts. Construction would be anticipated to take place between 2004 and 2006. Should 

this proposal move forward, an environmental analysis of and decision regarding this project 

is expected to occur in early 2003.

• A foreseeable proposal to design and implement a new Long Range Development Plan 

(LRDP) for LBNL; this LRDP would guide LBNL’s development for approximately 

20 years. The proposed new LRDP is anticipated to identify new population and space 

growth projections for LBNL, although growth would be projected to occur at approximately 

the same rate as has been experienced at LBNL during its recent history (approximately 1.3 

percent per year). The main differences between the current LRDP and the upcoming 

proposed new LRDP would be realized during the later phases of the planning period, 

sometime after 2010. Should this proposal move forward, an environmental analysis of and 

decision regarding this project is expected to occur in late 2003.

• Development in the surrounding area includes growth and development within the City of 

Berkeley as envisioned in the 2001 Berkeley General Plan and EIR; within the northeastern 

portion of the UC Berkeley campus as described in the Northeast Quadrant Science and 

Safety Projects and 1990 Long Range Development Plan, January 2002 (NEQSS Project); 

and as expected to be projected for the overall UC Berkeley campus in the forthcoming UC 

Berkeley Long Range Development Plan and EIR. The 2001 City of Berkeley General Plan 

allows for steady growth and development, but, given a lack of substantial undeveloped space 

in the City, at a relatively even pace with an emphasis on infill development. Projections 

include a population increase of approximately 7,000 people (a roughly six percent increase), 

approximately 3,300 new household units (a roughly eight percent increase), and 

approximately 3,700 new jobs (a roughly five percent increase) by the year 2020. The 

NEQSS project would construct approximately 324,400 gsf of buildings (demolition of 

existing 100,000 gsf, construction of 430,000 gsf) 140 parking spaces and approximately 400 

full-time equivalent (FTE) employees to the northeastern quadrant of the UC Berkeley 
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campus after a construction period projected to last from approximately 2002 to 2005. The 

forthcoming UC Berkeley LRDP revision and EIR would likely project increases in 

population and built space by the year 2020.

The UC Berkeley NEQSS project and the forthcoming LRDP revision are scheduled to 

gradually begin to take effect after 2005, as UC Berkeley has agreed with the City of 

Berkeley that it will not begin to substantially increase its population prior to that time, and 

the NEQSS project will not be completed and operational until after 2005. 

6.2 CUMULATIVE IMPACT AREAS

Areas where there would be no reasonably foreseeable substantial cumulative impacts include: 

Geology, Soils, and Seismicity: Historic and Archaeological Resources; Land Use; 

Socioeconomics; and Environmental Justice.

6.2.1 HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY

The Proposed Action would result in an approximately 1.5-acre loss of permeable surface. The 

proposed 50X building proposal would likely result in a similar loss of permeable surface; 

however, these two projects would take place in different watersheds and would represent only an 

incremental change in each. The proposed City of Berkeley and UC Berkeley projects would 

generally be in-fill on existing paved surfaces.

6.2.2 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES:

The Proposed Action and the proposed 50X Building would not likely affect any special status 

species. However, each project would take place in an area that theoretically could be traversed 

by a member of the state- and Federally-designated threatened Alameda whipsnake species. On 

the other hand, neither project would take place in or reduce designated Critical Habitat of the 

Alameda whipsnake, and the Proposed Action and proposed Building 50X project would employ 

appropriate whipsnake avoidance measures. Other identified projects would likely take place in 

currently developed areas. 

6.2.3 VISUAL QUALITY

Implementation of the Proposed Action would result in a visual change to the LBNL and 

surrounding hillside environment. The proposed 50X building would have a similar projectspecific result. However, both projects would be visible from limited and mutually exclusive 

vantage points, and neither would take place in an area that is not currently surrounded by 

development. None of the other projects identified would noticeably add to a visual quality 

cumulative impact with the Proposed Action.
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6.2.4 TRAFFIC AND CIRCULATION

The most acute increases in NEQSS construction-related traffic would occur between 2002 and 

2005. The Proposed Action and the proposed 50X Building project construction would take 

place between 2004 and 2006. Buildout of the proposed LBNL and UC Berkeley LRDPs would 

take place mostly after 2006. Most construction-related traffic effects of these projects, then, 

would be staggered over a period of several years.

Construction traffic generated by the proposed NEQSS and UC Berkeley LRDP development 

would increase truck and heavy equipment vehicles and staging along Hearst Avenue and Gayley 

Road, two prime access routes to LBNL’s main Blackberry Gate entrance. These routes would 

be further used by construction-related traffic accessing the LBNL site. Because LBNL would 

only use those routes for access to Berkeley Lab and not for staging purposes, and because LBNL 

can accommodate parking of heavy equipment on site and thus would not require daily 

commuting of heavy construction vehicles, and due to the fact that LBNL currently intends to 

reuse excavated material on-site (thus sparing truck trips necessary to provide and/or dispose of 

excavation fill), and because the Propose Action construction would be staged during generally 

different time periods than the City and UCB Campus projects, LBNL would represent only a 

minor contribution to construction traffic related impacts on these roadways, and within the levels 

anticipated and discussed in the 1997 Addendum.

Operational traffic from the Proposed Action would be distributed over a vide commute period 

(and would not be as concentrated during the peak hour as would be typically expected of office 

workers, for example) and would be further distributed over LBNL’s three entrance gates. The 

proposed 50X Building project would not add to new traffic burdens at LBNL as it would draw 

exclusively on existing on-site workers. The proposed NEQSS and other UCB Campus and City 

projects would be expected to add incrementally to traffic in the area that leads to LBNL’s 

Blackberry Canyon entrance (but not likely the other two entrances), although the Proposed 

Action would not likely pose a considerable contribution to any peak-hour commute impacts in 

concert with them.

6.2.5 AIR QUALITY

The Proposed Action would not result in any significant cumulative air quality impacts, nor 

would it pose any individually significant air impacts. It would be consistent with the LBNL 

LRDP, and would neither conflict with nor obstruct implementation of the Ozone Attainment 

Plan, the Bay Area 2000 Clean Air Plan, nor the Carbon Monoxide Maintenance Plan. The 

Proposed Action would not violate any applicable air quality standard or contribute substantially 

to any existing or projected air quality violations. It would not result in a cumulatively 

considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant, including ozone and its precursors (i.e., ROG 

and oxides of Nitrogen), or PM-10. No construction or operational emissions—either criteria 

pollutants or toxic air contaminants—would be expected to exceed any regional, state, or federal 

thresholds of significance. As operational details and estimates are further developed, the 

Molecular Foundry project would undergo review and permitting processes from BAAQMD for 

operational emissions and potential emergency diesel generator emissions. The Proposed Action 
6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

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69

would implement feasible measures to further reduce construction and operational air impacts of 

construction and operations and would prohibit significant health risks through its discretionary 

permitting authority.

The Proposed Action would not create or substantially contribute to a significant TAC impact. 

Project emissions of TACs are expected to be very low in general and negligible at the distance of 

the nearest residential areas. Moreover, there are no nearby significant ambient TAC 

concentrations to which the Proposed Action might cumulatively contribute, and any contribution 

by the Proposed Action would not be cumulatively considerable in any event. 

6.2.6 NOISE

Noise effects from the Proposed Action construction could combine with noise from other 

construction projects to generate cumulative impacts. However, as described in traffic, above, 

construction of the projects identified in this section would be staggered over a period of years 

and there would not be a point at which all projects were fully under construction. In addition, 

the projects are separated physically and by intervening terrain such that noise impacts from the 

other projects should not noticeable to the same receptors as noise from construction of the 

Proposed Action.

6.2.7 PUBLIC SERVICES

LBNL maintains its own primary public services (fire protection, security, health and safety); the 

proposed 50X project would decompress existing on-site employees and would thus not 

substantially add to demand for services. Although City and UCB Campus projects would be 

expected to incrementally increase demand for off-site services over time, Proposed Actionrelated demand for off-site services would be negligible.

6.2.8 PUBLIC UTILITIES/ENERGY

The Building 50X project, NEQSS, and other City and UCB Campus projects would be expected 

to increase demand for regional utilities and energy provision. However, these utilities are 

managed to accommodate region-wide growth and demand increase; these projects would be 

expected to fit within this long-term planning. Demand for utilities for all projects combined 

would not represent a substantial increase in demand for regional providers and would thus not be 

cumulatively significant. LBNL, UC Berkeley, and the City of Berkeley all encourage or 

mandate water and energy saving devices and practices.

6.2.9 HAZARDS AND HUMAN HEALTH

The Proposed Action would generate relatively small amounts of TAC emissions in the area. The 

proposed 50X building would not generate TAC emissions, as it would be exclusively an office 

building and because it would not generate new traffic trips. The proposed NEQSS and 

UC Berkeley LRDP growth would likely generate TAC emissions. However, because these 
6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

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70

projects, when combined, would create or add to any toxic air “hot spots” or other areas of 

significant impact in the area of effect of the Proposed Action, this would not be a significant 

impact. Generation of hazardous materials (not air-emissions) would be of relatively small scale 

and would follow LBNL’s strict handling, storage, and disposal procedures. The proposed 

buildings would be constructed to modern, state-of-the-art fire and earthquake standards.
6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

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TABLE 5

SUMMARY OF ACTION ALTERNATIVES

Proposed Action No Action

Different Building 

Configuration

Alternate Building Site

(on-site)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Location Project Site: southeastern area 

of LBNL.

No impact. Project Site: southeastern area of 

LBNL.

LBNL Site: Central “Old Town” 

Lab area.

Size (approx) 90,000 gsf. No impact. 30,000 gsf. 90,000 gsf.

Number of Occupants 137 No impact. 50 – 90 137

Number of New Traffic 

Trips

94 new drivers. No impact. 34 – 62 new drivers 94 new drivers

PROJECT IMPACTS

Geology, Soils, and 

Seismicity

Project built on slopes. (LTS) No impact. Similar impact. Project built on 

slopes (LTS)

Decreased impact. Project would 

be built on relatively flat area.

Hydrology and Water 

Quality

Project excavation. Increased 

impermeable surface. 

Increased parking. (LTS)

No impact. Decreased impact. Project 

excavation. Increased 

impermeable surface. Increased 

parking. (LTS)

Decreased impact. No 

substantial increase in 

impermeable surface. However, 

excavation of contaminated soil 

may be necessary.

Biological Resources Project built near Alameda 

whipsnake habitat. Potentially 

significant. (LTS after 

Mitigation)

No impact. Similar impact. Project built near 

Alameda whipsnake habitat. 

Potentially significant. (LTS 

after Mitigation)

No impact. Site is currently 

developed.

Historic and Archaeological 

Resources

Project could disturb 

archaeological resources, 

though none are expected on 

this site. (LTS)

No impact. Similar impact. Project could 

disturb archaeological resources, 

though none are expected on this 

site. (LTS)

Different impact. While 

archaeological resources could be 

disturbed, these areas have 

previously been disturbed by 

construction.
6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

TABLE 5 (Continued)

SUMMARY OF ACTION ALTERNATIVES

Proposed Action No Action

Different Building 

Configuration

Alternate Building Site

(on-site)

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Visual Quality Project would remove trees and 

introduce new building to 

hillside. (LTS)

No impact. Decreased impact. Project would 

remove fewer trees and smaller 

building profile would be less 

noticeable. (LTS)

Different impact. While 

screening trees wouldn’t have to 

be removed and the project 

would be centered in a developed 

area, it could interfere with the 

appearance and views of the ALS 

building. (LTS)

Traffic and Circulation Project would introduce 

estimated 94 potential new 

drivers to LBNL site. (LT S)

No impact. Decreased impact. Project would 

introduce estimated 34 – 62 

potential new drivers to LBNL 

site. (LTS)

Similar/increased Impact. Project 

would introduce estimated 94 

potential new drivers to LBNL 

site. “Old Town” site would 

require additional truck trips to 

haul away demolition debris and 

soil (LTS)

Air Quality Project would create 

construction dust and exhaust, 

increase criteria pollutant 

emissions from commute trips, 

and introduce new TACs 

sources from operations. (LTS)

No impact. Decreased impact. Project would 

create construction dust and 

exhaust, increase criteria 

pollutant emissions from 

commute trips, and introduce new 

TACs sources from operations. 

(LTS)

Similar impact. Project would 

create construction dust and 

exhaust, increase criteria 

pollutant emissions from 

commute trips, and introduce 

new TACs sources from 

operations. (LTS)

Noise Project would create 

construction noise. (LTS)

No impact. Similar impact. Project would 

create construction noise. (LTS)

Similar impact. Project would

create construction noise. (LTS)

Public Services Project would use police, fire, 

and emergency medical 

services. (LTS)

No impact. Slightly decreased impact. Project 

would use police, fire, and 

emergency medical services. 

(LTS)

Similar impact. Project would 

use police, fire, and emergency 

medical services. (LTS)

Public Utilities Project would use water and 

would generate waste and 

wastewater. (LTS)

No impact. Decreased impact. Project would 

use water and would generate 

waste and wastewater. (LTS)

Similar impact. Project would 

use water and would generate 

waste and wastewater. (LTS)
6.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

TABLE 5 (Continued)

SUMMARY OF ACTION ALTERNATIVES

Proposed Action No Action

Different Building 

Configuration

Alternate Building Site

(on-site)

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Energy Project would use electrical, 

gas, and diesel energy. (LTS)

No impact. Decreased impact. Project would 

use electrical, gas, and diesel 

energy. (LTS)

Similar impact. Project would 

use electrical, gas, and diesel 

energy. (LTS)

Hazards and Human Health Project would use small 

amounts of hazardous 

materials. (LTS)

No impact. Decreased impact. Project would 

use small amounts of hazardous 

materials. (LTS)

Similar impact. Project would 

use small amounts of hazardous 

materials. (LTS)

Land Use Project would increase 

development in area. (LTS)

No impact. Similar impact. Project would 

increase development in area. 

(LTS)

No impact.

Socioeconomics: 

Population, Employment, 

and Housing

No Impact. No impact. No Impact. No Impact.

Environmental Justice None of the above impacts 

would substantially and 

disproportionately impact any 

particular racial or 

socioeconomic demographic. 

(LTS)

No impact. Similar impact. None of the above 

impacts would substantially and 

disproportionately impact any 

particular racial or socioeconomic 

demographic. (LTS)

Similar Impact. None of the above 

impacts would substantially and 

disproportionately impact any 

particular racial or socioeconomic 

demographic. (LTS)

Cumulative Impacts No substantial cumulative 

contributions. Small or 

negligible contribution to lessthan-significant cumulative 

impacts.

No impact. Similar impacts. Slightly 

decreased contribution to lessthan-significant cumulative 

impacts.

Similar impacts. Small or 

negligible contribution to lessthan-significant cumulative 

impacts.

_________________________ 

NOTES: “gsf” is “gross square feet.”

“LTS” is “less-than-significant.”
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CHAPTER 7.0

REFERENCES

Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), Earthquake Hazards Maps for Berkeley, 2002.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District, 2000 Toxic Air Contaminant Control Program 

Annual Report, http://www.baaqmd.gov/permit/toxics/report.htm, accessed December 

2001.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Air Plan: http://www.baaqmd.gov/planning/cap/ 

aqp.htm, accessed 2002.

California Air Resource Board, Air Quality Designations, http://www.arb.ca.gov/desig/desig.htm, 

accessed 2002.

California Air Resource Board, Air Quality Plans, http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/planning.htm, 

accessed 2002.

California Building Standards Commission, California Building Code, Title 24, Part 2, 1995.

California Department of Conservation, Geological Survey, Seismic Shaking Hazard Maps of 

California, 1999.

California Department of Conservation, Geological Survey, Special Publication 78: Earthquake 

Planning Scenario for a Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake on the Hayward Fault, 1987

California Department of Fish and Game, California Natural Diversity Database, version 2.1.2, 

data request for the Oakland East, Oakland West, Briones Valley, and Richmond 

7.5 minute USGS topographic quadrangles, 2002.

California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), California Scenic Highway Program, 

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/scenic/scpr.htm, accessed March 15, 2002.

California Native Plant Society, 2002, Electronic Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of 

California, version 1.5.1, data request for the Oakland East, Oakland West, Briones Valley, 

and Richmond 7.5 minute USGS topographic quadrangles, 2002.

City of Berkeley: Draft General Plan, Land Use Element, July 2001.

City of Berkeley: Draft General Plan, Urban Design and Preservation Element, July 2001.

City of Oakland General Plan, Land Use and Transportation Element, March 1998.

International Conference of Building Officials, Uniform Building Code, ICBO, Whittier, 

California, 1997.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Draft 2002 Long Range Development Plan, May 2001.
7.0 REFERENCES

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Lawrence Berkeley Nationa l Laboratory, Draft and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact 

Report (SEIR) for the Proposed Renewal of the Contract Between the United States 

Department of Energy and the Regents of the UC for the Operation and Management of the 

Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, SCH No. [19]91093068, prepared by the University of 

California and Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, with the assistance of Ira Fink and 

Associates, Inc., September 1992.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Long Range Development Plan, PUB-5184, August 

1987.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Memorandum to James Krupnick from Iraj Javandel, 

February 1, 2002.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Molecular Foundry Draft Preliminary Hazard Analysis 

Report, expected completion: Spring 2003.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, NEPA/CEQA Program, Project Description for the 

Proposed Sitewide Water Distribution Upgrade, Phase I (submitted in support of request 

for Categorical Exemption), October 2001.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Site Development Plan, DEIR, December 1986.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Supplemental Environmental Impact Report Addendum 

for the Proposed Renewal of the Contract Between the United States Department of Energy 

and the Regents of the UC for the Operation and Management of the Lawrence Berkeley 

Laboratory, SCH No. [19]9193068, September 1997.

McGinniss, S.M., An evaluation of potential habitat sites for the Alameda whipsnake 

(Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus) within and immediately adjacent to the border of the 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, May 18, 1996.

Peterson, M.D., Bryant, W.A., Cramer, C.H., Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment for the 

State of California, California Geological Survey Open-File Report issued jointly with U.S. 

Geological Survey, CDMG 96-08 and USGS 96-706, 1996.

Philliber, Jeff, Planner, NEPA/CEQA Program, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, e-mail 

re: Alameda Whipsnake, August 30, 2002.

Site Visit, March 13, 2002.

Smith Group, Molecular Foundry Facility Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Design 

Report, April 2002.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; final 

determination of critical habitat for the Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis 

euryxanthus), Federal Register Volume 65, Number 192, October 3, 2000. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Memorandum regarding Informal Consultation on Lawrence 

Berkeley National Laboratory’s Water Tank and Fire Road Construction Project, Alameda 

County, California, September 17, 2001.
7.0 REFERENCES

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U.S. Geological Society (USGS) Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities (WG99), 

Earthquake Probabilities in the San Francisco Bay Region: 2000-2030 – A Summary of 

Findings, Open-File Report 99-517, 1999.
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CHAPTER 8.0

PERSONS AND AGENCIES CONSULTED

Blair, Steve, Civil Engineer, LBNL

Davis, Jason, US Fish and Wildlife Service. While not specifically consulted about this project, 

Mr. Davis visited the site on two occasions during 2000 and concluded that the Proposed 

Action site should not be included in the USFWS’ determination of Alameda whipsnake 

Critical Habitat.

Domansky, Larry, Electrical Engineer, LBNL

Dong, Michael, Mechanical Engineer, LBNL

Fisher, Ross, Ph.D., Certified Industrial Hygienist, LBNL

Harkins, Joseph, Molecular Foundry Project Manager, LBNL

Kevin, Dan, Environmental Planner, LBNL

Krupnick, James, Molecular Foundry Project Director, LBNL

Lackner, Regina, Water Quality Program Leader, LBNL

McClure, Rich, Long-Range Planning Coordinator, LBNL

O’Keefe, Mary, Senior Planner, University of California, Office of the President

Philliber, Jeff, Environmental Planning Coordinator, LBNL

Reeves, Antonia, Utilities Analyst, LBNL

Seabury, John, Certified Industrial Hygienist, LBNL

Thorson, Patrick, Air Quality Program Leader, LBNL
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CHAPTER 9.0

GLOSSARY

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act 

ARB California Air Resources Board

BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District

BES Office of Basic Energy Sciences 

BMPs Best Management Practices

CARB California Air Resources Board

CBC California Building Code

CDMG California State Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology

CGS California Department of Conservation, Geological Survey

CNDDB California Natural Diversity Database

CNPS California Native Plant Society

dB Decibels

dBA A-weighted decibels

DOE U.S. Department of Energy

EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utility District

EIR Environmental Impact Report

EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

ESA Environmental Science Associates

ESRF European Synchrotron Radiation Facility

FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency

Gsf Gross Square Feet

HVAC Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning
9.0 GLOSSARY

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

ILL Institut Laue-Langevin

IWGN Interagency Working Group on Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and Technology

ISM Integrated Safety Management

Leq Energy-Equivalent Noise Level

LBL/LBNL Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

LOS Level of Service

LRDP Long Range Development Plan

NCEM National Center for Electron Microscopy

NEQSS Northeast Quadrant Science and Safety Projects

NOx Nitrogen oxide

NNI National Nanotechnology Initiative

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NSRC Nanoscale Science Research Center

NSTC National Science and Technology Council

OSHA Occupational Health and Safety Administration

PHA Preliminary Hazard Assessment

PM-10 Particulate Matter – 10 microns or smaller

SEIR Supplemental Environmental Impact Report

SF Square feet

SHMA Seismic Hazards Mapping Act

SIP State Implementation Plan

SSCL Surface Science and Catalysis Laboratory

SWPPP Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan

UBC Uniform Building Code

UC University of California

USGS United States Geological Survey

VOC Volatile organic compound
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CHAPTER 10.0

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: STANDARD (REQUIRED) LBNL PROJECT FEATURES

APPENDIX B: LAND USE ANALYSIS

APPENDIX C: SOCIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS

APPENDIX D: ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ANALYSIS

APPENDIX E: CHANGES TO THIS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

APPENDIX A

STANDARD (REQUIRED) LBNL PROJECT FEATURES

LBNL has identified several environmentally proactive measures in its 1987 Long Range 

Development Plan (LRDP) Environmental Impact Report (EIR), as amended, that Berkeley Lab 

implements in all of its projects and development to avoid or minimize potentially significant 

environmental impacts. These mitigation measures have been adopted as part of the LRDP EIR 

by The Regents of the University of California and thus are required of all LBNL activities 

pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Consequently, all such measures 

relevant to the design, construction, and operation of the proposed Molecular Foundry are 

included in the project description as standard features of all such LBNL projects. These 

measures are pertinent to such environmental resource areas as geology; hydrology and water 

quality; biological resources, visual quality; land use; air quality; noise; traffic; and hazards and 

hazardous materials. Included among them are those listed below:

• Geologic and soils studies will be undertaken during the design phase of each LBNL 

building project. Recommendations contained in those studies will be followed to ensure 

that the effects of landsliding, lurching, and liquefaction potential will not represent a 

significant adverse impact during a seismic event.

• Excavation and earth moving will be designed for stability, and accomplished during the 

dry season when feasible. Drainage will be arranged to minimize silting, erosion, and 

landsliding. Upon completion, all land will be restored, covering exposed earth with 

planting.

• Foundations for proposed structures will be designed in accordance with geologic and soils 

engineering recommendations to minimize the long-term possibilities of landslide.

• Excavations will be shored as required by law to preclude minor short-term landslides 

during construction.

• Revegetation of disturbed areas, including slope stabilization sites, using native shrubs, 

trees and grasses will be included as part of all new projects.

• Each individual project will continue to be designed and constructed with adequate storm 

drainage facilities to collect surface water from roofs, sidewalks, parking lots and other 

surfaces and deliver it into existing channels which have adequate capacity to handle the 

flow.

• Invasion of opportunistic colonizer trees and shrubs will be controlled. A maintenance 

program for controlling further establishment of eucalyptus, green wattle acacia, French 

broom, cotoneaster, and other opportunistic colonizer shrubs and trees in disturbed areas 

on-site will be undertaken. Herbicides will not be used for this purpose.
APPENDIX A

STANDARD (REQUIRED) LBNL PROJECT FEATURES

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

• Removal of native trees and shrubs will be minimized. (To the greatest extent possible, the 

removal of large coast live oak, California bay, and Monterey pine trees will be avoided.).

• Disturbance to the site perimeter buffer zones will be minimized.

• LBNL activity and encroachment in Blackberry Canyon will be minimized.

• Revegetation of disturbed areas, including slope stabilization sites, using native shrubs, 

trees, and grasses will be included as part of all new projects.

• Buildings will occupy as limited a footprint as feasible. They will incorporate features that 

enhance flexibility and future versatility.

• Buildings will be planned to blend with their surroundings and be appropriately landscaped. 

Planned objectives will be for new buildings to retain and enhance long-distance view 

corridors and not to compromise views from existing homes. New buildings will generally 

be low-rise construction.

• Any new facilities will not use reflective exterior wall materials or reflective glass, to 

mitigate the potential impacts of light and gla re.

• Buildings proposed for development at LBNL will follow the design guidelines contained 

in the LBNL LRDP, as amended.

• Discourage single -occupant-vehicle use and encourage the use of other transportation 

options. LBNL will continue to implement its Transportation System Management (TSM) 

Program. The specific features of this program include:

Establishing transportation modal-split goals for LBNL which will result in a 

reduction in the number and percentage of single -occupant automobiles being driven 

to and from LBNL;

Assigning a transportation planner to coordinate the design and implementation of 

TSM programs;

Promoting carpools by creating a carpool matching program;

Providing preferential carpool parking;

Developing a vanpooling program through funding support of Berkeley TRIPS;

Permitting staggered (flex-time) work hours;

Developing an annual monitoring program to evaluate the programs in relation to 

established goals and identify new elements which should be added to the program;

Promoting the TSM programs by giving orientation briefings to new employees, 

providing information aids to be distributed to LBNL employees, organizing an 

information center, and selling transit tickets on-site at LNBL;

Reviewing LBNL shuttle service and transit interface facilities; and,

reviewing bicycle routes and storage facilities for improvements.
APPENDIX A

STANDARD (REQUIRED) LBNL PROJECT FEATURES

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• LBNL will conduct bi-annual peak hour traffic counts in and around LBNL. In particular, 

the bi-annual count will include the Gayley Road corridor between Hearst Avenue and 

Bancroft/Piedmont.

• If and at such time as the level of service at intersections along the Gayley Road corridor 

reaches “D,” a review of necessary improvements will be conducted with UC Berkeley.

• LBNL will pay for its fair share of allowable and necessary signalization improvements 

along the Gayley Road corridor proportional to LBNL’s share of increases in traffic.

• Details of the Gayley Road corridor improvements, including environmental assessment of 

the improvements, will be reviewed at the time the thresholds are reached.

• LBNL will continue to implement and monitor the implementation of its Transportation 

System Management Program.

• Construction contract specifications would require that during construction exposed 

surfaces would be wetted twice daily or as needed to reduce dust emissions. In addition, 

contract specifications would require covering of excavated materials.

• LBNL will design building ventilation systems to minimize emission of criteria air 

pollutants following compliance with all applic able regulatory requirements (e.g., New 

Source Review). This mitigation measure would not reduce the impact to less than 

significant levels.

• Projected noise levels will be compared with ambient noise levels and the Berkeley Noise 

Ordinance limits, or other applicable regulations. Acoustical performance standards would 

be included in future construction documents. LBNL will continue to design, construct, 

and operate buildings and building equipment taking into account measures to reduce the 

potential for excessive noise transmission.

• Noise-generating construction equipment will be located as far as possible from existing 

buildings. If necessary, windows of laboratories or offices will be temporarily covered to 

reduce interior noise levels on-site.

• LBNL will prepare an annual self-assessment summary report. The report will summarize 

environment, health and safety program activities, and identify any areas where LBNL is 

not in compliance with laws and regulations governing hazardous materials, hazardous 

waste, hazardous materials transportation, regulated building components, worker safety, 

emergency response, and remediation activities.

• Prior to shipping any hazardous materials to any hazardous waste treatment, storage, or 

disposal facility, LBNL will confirm that the facility is licensed to receive the type of waste 

LBNL is proposing to ship to that facility.

• LBNL will continue its waste minimization programs and strive to identify new and 

innovative methods to minimize hazardous waste generated by LNBL activities.

• LBNL will require hazardous waste haulers to provide evidence that they are appropriately 

licensed to transport the type of wastes being shipped from LBNL.
APPENDIX A

STANDARD (REQUIRED) LBNL PROJECT FEATURES

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

• In addition to implementation of the numerous employee communication and training 

requirements included in regulatory programs, LBNL will undertake the following 

additional measures as ongoing reminders to workers of health and safety requirements:

Posting, in areas where hazardous materials are handled, of phone numbers of LBNL 

offices which can assist in proper handling procedures and emergency response 

information.

Continuing to post “Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans” in all LBNL 

buildings.

Continuing to post all sinks in areas where hazardous materials are handled with 

signs reminding users that hazardous wastes cannot be poured down the drain.

Continuing to post dumpsters and central trash collection areas where hazardous 

materials are handled with signs reminding users that hazardous wastes cannot be 

disposed of as trash.

• LBNL will update its emergency preparedness and response program on an annual basis, 

and will provide copies of this program to local emergency response agencies and to 

members of the public upon request.

• Prior to construction of any project that may add significant sewer load to the city sanitary 

sewer system, LBNL would investigate the potential impact of the project on the city 

system. LBNL would identify mitigation measures to accommodate the sewer load if the 

impact investigation indicates that the city system could not accommodate the additional 

sewage. LBNL will reimburse the City of Berkeley and/or EBMUD for its fair share of 

allowable and necessary sewer improvement capital costs which are needed to 

accommodate increased demand and mitigate sewer impacts resulting from implementation 

of the LBNL LRDP.
Molecular Foundry Environmental Assessment B-1 ESA / 202211

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

APPENDIX B

LAND USE ANALYSIS

SETTING AND IMPACTS

The project site is part of 200 acres owned by the University of California, most of which are leased 

to the Department of Energy (DOE). This land (and a larger surrounding area belonging to the 

University) is within the political boundaries of the LBNL site and is within the city limits of 

Oakland. Because the land is controlled by a state agency (UC) and operated by DOE, it is exempt 

from local zoning and planning regulations. However, it is the policy of the University and LBNL 

to cooperate with local agencies in planning matters to the extent feasible. The City of Oakland’s 

General Plan designates the area for institutional use and resource conservation; therefore present 

and proposed uses are consistent with intended uses according to the Oakland General Plan.

The Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) for LBNL was approved by The Regents of the 

University of California in 1987. While this Plan and its accompanying EIR anticipate 

development out to an unspecified year (20XX), the Addendum to the Supplemental site-wide 

EIR adopted in 1997 analyzes LRDP-related buildout impacts through the Contract extension 

year of 2007. The LBNL LRDP organized the LBNL site into seven functional planning areas to 

consolidate related functions, maximize efficiency, and establish well-planned roadways, 

pedestrian paths and parking to minimize hazards to employees and the public. The project site is 

located in the Materials and Chemistry Research Area, also referred to as the East Site Materials 

Sciences Facilities. This plan reserved several site locations for future construction, anticipating 

a need for “advanced and specialized research facilities for specific programmatic needs.” 

Therefore, construction of the Molecular Foundry on this site would be consistent with the 

intended implementation of the LBNL LRDP. 

The LRDP anticipates that growth on the main LBNL site could increase from approximately 

1.59 million gross square feet (gsf) in 1987 to approximately 2.0 million gsf at buildout. There 

are currently about 233,500 gsf available for development under this projection. The proposed 

Molecular Foundry building and accompanying Central Utility Plant building total approximately 

94,500 gsf, which would leave approximately 140,000 gsf remaining to the proposed buildout 

anticipated in the 1987 LRDP, and analyzed in the LRDP EIR, as amended.

The LRDP projects that total population growth at LBNL could increase from approximately 

2,850 in 1987 to approximately 4,750 at buildout.12 LBNL is currently about 400 people below 

the population projection anticipated by the LRDP. The proposed Molecular Foundry would add 

 

12 Because the portion of the LBNL population identified as being located on the UC Berkeley campus actually 

circulates regularly between Campus and LBNL main site facilities, aggregate rather than site-specific population 

figures are used for planning purposes to avoid population undercounting.
APPENDIX B

LAND USE ANALYSIS

Molecular Foundry Environmental Assessment B-2 ESA / 202211

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

approximately 140 staff, students, and visitors to LBNL, approximately 260 persons below the 

population level proposed in the 1987 LRDP, and analyzed in the LRDP EIR, as amended.

The Proposed Action is consistent with land use designations set forth under the LRDP. The 

Proposed Action would be constructed in a partially developed “open space” where a new 

building is anticipated in the LRDP. According to the 1987 LRDP, open space is provided to 

“enhance the working and research environment, to maintain landscape compatibility, and to take 

advantage of the mild Bay Area climate and the views. Open areas are to be set aside for 

employee picnics, outdoor gatherings, and exercise.” The Proposed Action would create a large 

and high-quality outdoor space in the expansive outdoor terrace that would serve as an outdoor 

meeting and recreational space for occupants of all outdoor buildings in the vicinity. It would 

include a mixture of paved and planted areas and would be oriented to provide optimal views.

A portion of the proposed Molecular Foundry building would also be in a “buffer zone” area as 

identified under the LRDP. Buffer zones do not exclude new buildings, but encourage new 

buildings to be designed to address, enhance and/or uphold special constraints and amenities on 

such sites. These constraints and amenities pertain to views, hydrology, stability, special 

vegetation, and building density. Each of these concerns is addressed by the Proposed Action and 

demonstrates consistency with the values listed in the LRDP. A consistency analysis and 

statement was conducted for this Proposed Action and is incorporated into this analysis.

The Proposed Action affirms and is consistent with the LRDP Goals and Objectives. The site is 

adjacent to both utility corridors and traffic/transit corridors. All support services have adequate 

capacity to serve the new building at this location. The Proposed Action is generally consistent 

with the LRDP’s Design Guidelines. The Proposed Action would be larger than what was 

initially anticipated for the particular functional planning area—the Materials and Chemical 

Research Area of LBNL; however, these specific area distribution estimates were identified in the 

LRDP as being for “general estimating purposes only” and were not intended to restrict or 

promote particular development levels. Regental approval was based on the aggregate space and 

population projections presented in the 1987 LRDP and the Proposed Action is entirely within 

those parameters. 

Although not yet completed or approved, an update to the 1987 LRDP is in progress and does not 

conflict with the Proposed Action. In November 2000, a Notice of Preparation was issued for this 

forthcoming LRDP and new LRDP EIR. This LRDP would project growth and development at 

LBNL for approximately the next twenty years; growth in population and in developed space is 

expected to occur at the same rates as have been occurring at LBNL during the past 15 years—

approximately 1.3 percent per year. The Draft LRDP and LRDP EIR are expected to circulate for 

public review in 2003. The proposed Molecular Foundry Proposed Action would be reflected 

and accounted for in these new LRDP and LRDP EIR.
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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

APPENDIX C

SOCIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS

SETTING AND IMPACTS SUMMARY

The proposed Molecular Foundry would occupy an undeveloped site, now partially occupied by a 

paved surface parking lot. The Proposed Action would therefore not displace existing housing or 

residents. The Proposed Action would extend the existing roadway network adjacent to the 

project site. However, the new roadway segment would directly serve the project site, which 

would not include residential uses. 

Growth at the LBNL site is controlled by the 1987 LRDP. The LRDP projects that total 

population growth at LBNL could increase from approximately 2,850 in 1987 to approximately 

4,750 at buildout. LBNL is currently approximately 400 people below its population projection. 

The proposed Molecular Foundry would be occupied by approximately 137 staff, students, and 

visitors to LBNL.13 This would result in a remaining balance of approximately 260 persons 

below the 4,750 growth-projection that is identified in the 1987 LRDP, and analyzed in the LRDP 

EIR, as amended. Of these 137 staff positions, 6 would be directors who currently work at LBNL 

and would not be replaced; approximately 36 would be graduate students from the UC Berkeley 

campus who not would have driving access to LBNL; approximately 42 would be visiting 

scientists; and 29 would be filled from scientific, technical, and administrative professionals new 

to the LBNL site. An additional 24 professional positions would be filled by staff already 

working elsewhere at LBNL. 

It is assumed that many of the new employees would already live in the Bay Area. Visitors 

would be temporary and would therefore be visiting and/or already employed elsewhere in the 

Bay Area. The Proposed Action would therefore not directly or indirectly induce substantial 

growth in the area.

 

13 This analysis uses 140, instead of 137, to use round numbers and to present a more conservative analysis.
Molecular Foundry Environmental Assessment D-1 ESA / 202211

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

APPENDIX D

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ANALYSIS

SETTING

The LBNL complex is located in Alameda County, with a large portion located within the 

Berkeley city limits, and a smaller portion located within the Oakland city limits. The University 

of California, Berkeley, is adjacent to LBNL, and the nearest residential and commercial 

neighborhoods are located within the City of Berkeley. The nearest Oakland properties consist of 

designated open space areas. Unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County lie to the north and 

east, most of which are also designated open space areas.

Census 2000 revealed that Alameda County’s population is approximately 51 percent non-white 

or more than one race: 15 percent black or African American alone, less than 1 percent American 

Indian and Alaska Native alone, 20 percent Asian alone, less than 1 percent Native Hawaiian and 

other Pacific Islander alone, 9 percent “some other race alone,” and approximately 6 percent two 

or more races. In the City of Berkeley, the population is approximately 41 percent non-white or 

more than one race, and in the City of Oakland, the population is approximately 69 percent nonwhite or more than one race. Table D.1 below, compares the racial breakdown of Alameda 

County, Berkeley, Oakland, and census tracts located near LBNL in Berkeley.14

Census 2000 also identifies median15 household incomes and family incomes. Table D.2, below, 

compares medial household incomes and family incomes in Alameda County, the cities of 

Berkeley and Oakland, and the residential and commercial census tracts nearest LBNL.

IMPACTS

The project site is located in Alameda County, within Oakland’s city limits. Both Alameda 

County and Oakland have large non-white populations. In Alameda County, however, the largest 

single racial group is white (48.6%); in Oakland the largest single racial group is black or African 

American (35.7%). In residential and commercial areas located in the vicinity of LBNL, the 

single largest racial group is white (63.5% to 88.9%).

 

14 Census tract 4216 is located northwest of LBNL and includes the neighborhoods north of the UC Berkeley campus; 

census tract 4227 is southwest of LBNL, and census tracts 4237 and 4238 are in the hilly areas further southwest of 

LBNL and south of the UC Berkeley campus. 

15 Median income is the “middle” income: one half of all incomes are below the median and one half are above the 

median.
APPENDIX D

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ANALYSIS

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TABLE D.1

COMPARISON OF SELF-IDENTIFIED RACIAL IDENTITIES (PERCENTAGE)

ALAMEDA COUNTY, BERKELEY, OAKLAND, AND 

CENSUS TRACTS 4216, 4227, 4237 AND 4238

Percentage of Population

Race

Alameda 

County

City of 

Berkeley

City of 

Oakland

Census 

Tract 4216

Census 

Tract 4227

Census 

Tract 4237

Census 

Tract 4238

White alone 48.6% 59.2% 31.3% 83.5% 63.5% 70.3% 88.9%

Black or African 

American alone

14.7% 13.6% 35.7% 1.9% 3.2% 2.6% 1.9%

American Indian 

and Alaska 

Native alone

0.6% 0.5% 0.7% 0.0% 0.2% 0.2% 0.3%

Asian alone 20.4% 16.4% 15.2% 9.0% 20.0% 19.4% 6.0%

Native Hawaiian 

alone and Other 

Pacific Islander 

alone

0.6% 0.1% 0.5% 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

Some other race 

alone

9.0% 4.6% 11.7% 0.2% 4.9% 2.1% 0.5%

Two or more 

races

6.0% 5.6% 5.0% 5.2% 8.2% 5.3% 2.4%

Total 99.9%* 100.0% 100.1%* 100.0% 100.0% 99.9%* 100.0%

_________________________ 

* Less than 100% due to rounding error.

SOURCE: Census 2000, ESA (2002)

TABLE D.2

COMPARISON OF FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD MEDIAN INCOMES (1999)

ALAMEDA COUNTY, BERKELEY, OAKLAND AND 

CENSUS TRACTS 4216, 4227, 4237 AND 4238

2000 Income

Alameda 

County

City of 

Berkeley

City of 

Oakland

Census 

Tract 4216

Census 

Tract 4227

Census 

Tract 4237

Census 

Tract 4238

Median 

Household 

Income

$55,946 $44,485 $40,055 $95,868 $25,625 $40,660 $105,011

Median Family 

Income

$65,857 $70,434 $44,384 $125,896 $48,846 $103,628 $149,802

_________________________ 

SOURCE: Census 2000, ESA (2002)
APPENDIX D

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ANALYSIS

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Household and family median incomes are lower than County median incomes in both Oakland 

and in the City of Berkeley’s census tract 4237, which has a high student population. Median 

household incomes alone are lower than the County median household income in Berkeley, 

Oakland, and City of Berkeley’s census tracts 4227 and 4237. Median family incomes are higher 

than County median incomes for the City of Berkeley overall, as well as for the City of Berkeley 

census tracts 4216, 4237, and 4238.

As already discussed in Section 4.14, Hazards and Human Health, the Proposed Action would 

not pose a hazard to human health. In addition, the Proposed Action would not result in the 

elimination of jobs, nor would it result in the removal of persons or housing from the site. 

Because of the high incomes and the low numbers of non-white residents in residential areas near 

the project site, the Proposed Action would not have a specific economic, social, or human health 

effect on minority or low-income populations in these areas.
Molecular Foundry Environmental Assessment E-1 ESA / 202211

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

APPENDIX E

CHANGES TO THIS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

A Draft Environmental Assessment was circulated for Agency and public review and comment 

on December 10, 2002; comments were requested to be received by January 13, 2003. One 

commenter, the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), responded. Their comments have 

been addressed in this Final EA, and are reflected in the additions and changes to this document, 

identified below. A few additional refinements have been made by LBNL. None of these 

additions, changes, or refinements represents the introduction of substantial new information that 

would indicate a new or significant impact or that would change the conclusions drawn from this 

analysis.

(New or added text is in bold)

1. The “Draft” Environmental Assessment is now referred to as the “Final” Environmental 

Assessment throughout the document. This document is currently dated February 2003.

2. Appendix E—“Changes to this Environmental Assessment,” has been added to the table of 

contents and to this section. 

3. Page vi. Text has been added to the Executive Summary to describe the Final EA document.

4. Page 18. To provide additional context, the following text has been added to the discussion 

of storm drainage:

This would be added to the approximately 20 acres of existing impervious surface in 

the watershed. About half of this impervious surface is on land managed by LBNL.

5. Page 19. The following text has been incorporated into the discussion on landscaping:

All trees landscaping placed by the Proposed Action would be irrigated as necessary. In 

addition, as part of the final design process, irrigation would be designed so as to 

minimize overspray and runoff. Irrigation and landscaping are expected to be 

consistent with the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance AB325. 

6. Page 20. The following text has been incorporated into the discussion on landscaping:

The natural zone includes the fire-resistant ground cover for erosion control, as well as 

decorative plant materials that would be selected based on their indigenous, water saving, 

and low-maintenance, and especially water-saving characteristics.
APPENDIX E

CHANGES TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

7. Page 20. The following text has been incorporated into the discussion on water supply:

The Proposed Action would install low-flow plumbing fixtures and water-saving 

appliances; other devices and new technology (e.g., drip irrigation, re -circulating 

cooling systems, etc.) would be considered or employed where practicable to further 

water conservation. Water supply would be separated into industrial and domestic cold 

water systems. The industrial system would serve lab sinks and equipment; the domestic 

system would serve kitchen, restroom, and drinking fountain functions. Water pressure 

range would be 35 to 50 pounds per square inch. Engineering and safety features such as 

backflow preventers would be installed where appropriate and feasible. All new projects 

at LBNL are subject to EBMUD’s Water Service Regulations at the time of 

application for service.

8. Page 24: The following text has been deleted from the discussion of the No Action 

Alternative:

Instead, a similar facility would be constructed elsewhere by DOE, the location of which has not 

been identified and is too speculative to analyze. Such a facility would neither be located at nor 

affiliated with LBNL.

9. Pages 39-40: The following text has been incorporated into the discussion on Public 

Utilities:

The LBNL site receives its water from the East Bay Municipal Utility District 

(EBMUD). The proposed project would be served by EBMUD’s Shasta Pressure 

Zone (PZ), which provides water service to customers within an elevation range of 

900 to 1050 feet, and the Berkeley View PZ, which provides water service to 

customers within an elevation range of 1,050 to 1,250 feet. The LBNL site receives 

its water supply via a 12-inch meter in Campus Drive in the Shasta PZ and via a 6-

inch meter in Summit Road from the Berkeley View PZ. In addition, Department of 

Energy (DOE) owns and maintenance two 200,000-gallon storage tanks on site for 

emergency supply in the event of interruption of EBMUD’s service and a third 

200,000-gallon emergency tank is under construction in the East Canyon area 

upslope of the project site. The existing distribution system supplies water for all 

laboratory uses and has sufficient capacity to meet the flow rate and duration 

requirements for both daily use and fire protection. Although the project would be 

expected to increase use by up to approximately 2,500 gallons per day, it would not 

cause a significant impact as the two existing EBMUD PZs have combined storage 

capacity of 3.1 million gallons. The primary source of its supply is the Shasta Tank, and 

EBMUD’s one-million gallon capacity Berkeley View Tank provides a secondary water 

supply source. In addition, two 200,000-gallon on-site storage tanks hold an emergency 

supply in the event of interruption of EBMUD service; a third 200,000-gallon emergency 

water tank is under construction in the East Canyon Area.

10. Pages 40-41: The following text has been incorporated into the discussion on Public Utilities:
APPENDIX E

CHANGES TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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All LBNL sanitary sewage runs through the City of Berkeley’s basin No. 17. The City 

Department of Public Works has confirmed that there is conside rable remaining 

average and peak wet weather capacity in this basin. The proposed project would most 

likely be directed into subbasin #17-003; this subbasin has more than adequate average 

and peak wet weather capacity to accommodate the estimated 1,200 gpd sanitary 

sewage flows from the proposed project. 

The main concern with sewer flow in this subbasin and region wide in the EBMUD 

system is the infiltration and inflow of stormwater into the sanitary sewer system due to 

the poor condition of aging sewer pipes (known as “infiltration / inflow” or “I/I”). 

LBNL has aggressively acted to address infiltration / inflow problems in its own system 

and has made dramatic improvements in recent years. In addition, an aggressive 

plumbing maintenance and upgrade effort has been undertaken during the past 15 

years by LBNL, along with installation of water saving devices and systems, to 

substantially lower average sewer flows as well. The savings realized by these on-going 

efforts has reduced both peak wet weather as well as average sewer flows by well over 

half. Moreover, LBNL’s peak wet weather infiltration / inflow rate is less than half of 

that of the City of Berkeley’s and it is approximately only ten-percent of that found in 

EBMUD’s district. LBNL continues to seek ways in which to reduce both water 

consumption and sewage generation.

In 1984, LBNL’s allocated sewer flow was approximately 200,000 gallons per day (gpd). 

Due to historic infiltration / inflow, that amount was much higher during peak wet 

weather events. In recent years, due to the aforementioned efforts, that average annual 

sewer flow has been reduced by approximately 100,000 gpd, and by even much greater 

amounts during wet weather. The proposed Molecular Foundry is expected to generate 

less than 1,200 gpd of sewage. This incremental amount falls well below what was 

allocated to LBNL previous to its sewer upgrade projects. It is also consistent with the 

1987 LRDP EIR, as amended, which anticipated, analyzed, and found less-thansignificant impacts for buildout levels of sanitary sewage at much higher than current 

levels, even with inclusion of the proposed project. Moreover, because the sewer lines 

installed for the Molecular Foundry would be brand new, state -of-the -art, and virtually 

free of stormwater infiltration, the proposed project would be incremental in both dry 

and wet weather and would not contribute to the problem of I/I surplus flows during 

peak wet weather events. 

Through the University of California, LBNL currently pays the City of Berkeley for 

assessed sewer services. In addition, the University has contributed to the City of 

Berkeley’s sewer upgrade program. These improvements This program is intended to 

increase wet weather flow capacity and decrease infiltration / inflow conditions. In 

1990, UC agreed to contribute $250,000 per year to the City of Berkeley sewer 

improvemetns that would mitigate the impact of and accommodate new University 

projects. L

11. Pages 56-57. The following text has been incorporated into the discussion on air quality 

impacts:

Chemicals used in laboratories would generally be handled in very small quantities

No solid chemical would exceed more than a few hundred grams (i.e., probably on the 
APPENDIX E

CHANGES TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

order of up to a few hundred grams on the order of up to a few hundred grams) and no

liquids would tend to be handled in quantities of a few centiliters or less exceed more 

than a gallon. Also, only a few small gas cylinders containing flammable or toxic 

substances would be stored on-site. This is consistent with the nature of the experiments 

that deal with substances and properties on a micro- and nanoscale. Since the amounts of 

chemicals in the laboratory would be low, there would be no Any quantifiable air quality 

public health risk from laboratory activities would be extremely small and well below 

significance thresholds.(footnote 11) In addition, the proposed Molecular Foundry 

project does not include the use of radioactive materials.

Footnote 11: 1 

Current estimates indicate that fenceline concentrations of TAC emissions from the 

proposed project would be so low as to be immeasurable or extremely small at the 

nearest residential neighborhood fenceline . In fact, preliminary screening estimates 

indicate that the entire expected annual chemical inventory of the proposed Molecular 

Foundry would be so small that, were it to be emitted at a 100% annual rate (a physically 

impossible, conservative scenario), the vast majority of these chemicals would be 

unlikely to even approach BAAQMD regulatory thresholds at the LBNL fenceline.

12. Page 57: The following text has been incorporated into the discussion on air quality impacts:

At that distance, operational TAC emissions from the Proposed Action are expected to be 

extremely small or immeasurable.

13. Page 60: The following text has been changed in the discussion of public utility impacts to 

reflect a refined calculation for water demand:

Although the Proposed Action is expected to increase water use by less than

approximately 1,500 7,050 gallons per day, it would not cause a significant impact 

because relatively unrestricted water volume is available from EBMUD.

14. Page 60: The following text has been changed in the discussion of utility impacts:

The proposed Molecular Foundry would be expected to generate less than 1,200 

gallons per day of wastewater, which would flow through new project sewer lines 

connected to existing sewer lines. Peak wastewater capacity of the building would be 

185 gallons per minute, although actual usage rates would be far lower. This would be 

well within the wastewater volumes projected, mitigated for, and adopted in the 

1992 LRDP EIR and 1997 Addendum to the LRDP EIR. It would also not 

contribute to a substantial LBNL-wide increase in wet weather flows, as LBNL has 

worked in recent years to substantially reduce its peak wet weather flows and has 

effectively addressed its previous infiltration/inflow problems.
APPENDIX E

CHANGES TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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As part of the proposed action, LBNL will continue to seek to integrate and find 

opportunities for controlling and/or reducing the amount of infiltration and inflow 

into the existing sanitary sewer system.

15. Page 64: The following text has been deleted from the discussion of the Environmental 

Consequences of the Proposed Alternatives:

The No Action alternative would likely result in a site elsewhere, however, not at LBNL. 

No specific site has been identified. Project impacts would likely be similar to those 

identified on the LBNL site, although without a specific site, any description of potential 

environmental effects would be speculative. 

16. Page 71: The following text has been deleted from the No Action Alternatives column of the 

Summary of Action Alternatives Table:

Elsewhere, non-LBNL affiliated