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Initial Study and Negative Declaration <br />monoxide impacts, odor impacts, and construction - related impacts. If the project <br />emissions would exceed the screening criteria, then an air quality analysis is <br />required to determine if the project's air quality impacts are below BAAQMD's <br />significance thresholds (roughly equivalent to the CEQA thresholds of significance <br />used to ascertain whether an impact would be significant). If the impacts are <br />above the significance thresholds, then mitigation measures would need to be <br />incorporated into a project to reduce air quality impacts to a less than significant <br />level. If such mitigation measures are deemed infeasible, an EIR would be required. <br />The BAAQMD's adoption of significance thresholds contained in the 2011 CEQA Air <br />Quality Guidelines was called into question by a court order issued March 5, 2012, <br />in California Building Industry Association (CBIA) v. BAAQMD (Alameda Superior <br />Court Case No. RGI0548693). The order required BAAQMD to set aside its approval <br />of the thresholds until it conducted environmental review under CEQA. In August <br />2013, the Appellate Court struck down the lower court's order to set aside the <br />thresholds. However, this litigation remains pending as the California Supreme <br />Court recently accepted a portion of CBIA's petition to review the appellate <br />court's decision to uphold BAAQMD's adoption of the thresholds. Because the <br />court case is unresolved, BAAQMD recommends that lead agencies determine <br />appropriate air quality thresholds of significance based on substantial evidence in <br />the record. Since the air quality thresholds in the 2011 CEQA Air Quality Guidelines <br />are more stringent than the previously adopted 1999 thresholds, the more <br />conservative 2011 thresholds were used for the analysis of this project. <br />STANDARDS OF SIGNIFICANCE <br />For purposes of this environmental document, an impact is considered significant if <br />the proposed project would: <br />• Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan; <br />• Result in pollution emission levels above those established by BAQMD in <br />either the short term (construction related) or long term (traffic); <br />• Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations; or <br />• Create objectionable odors affecting a substantial number of people. <br />Issues <br />Less Than <br />Significant <br />Potentially Impact With Less Than <br />Significant Mitigation Significant No <br />Impact Incorporated Impact Impact <br />Air Quality <br />Where available, the significance criteria established by the applicable air quality <br />management or air pollution control district may be relied upon to make the <br />following determinations. Would the project: <br />18 <br />