Redding planning commission certifies EIR and approves pump station 1 use permit despite unavoidable construction noise

The City of Redding Planning Commission on a unanimous vote certified the final environmental impact report (EIR) and approved a use permit for the Pump Station 1 replacement project, which will place a new pump station and associated buildings in the FEMA 100-year floodplain of the Sacramento River and at the confluence with Jenny Creek.

Project planner Lily Tuohy told commissioners the draft EIR had been circulated and revised in response to written comments and that the consultant Jacobs finalized the document for the city. "There is one unavoidable impact and that's with regards to noise," Tuohy said, describing construction noise levels and the need for a statement of overriding considerations as part of final certification.

The nut graf: Commissioners certified the EIR and approved the use permit after staff said hydraulic analysis shows the structure will not change floodplain behavior and fish passage is not expected to be substantially affected, but construction — especially pile driving — will create noise impacts that the mitigation monitoring and reporting program (MMRP) will seek to reduce.

The commission heard technical and community questions about noise, access, project timing and funding. Tuohy said the existing pump station, built about 1937 with major renovations including in…