Site Photographs   Site Location   N 37°43’05.2” and W 121°39’38.2”. UTM Zone 10: 618.049 km Easting, 4175.179 km Northing. North East South West Northeast

Site Correspondence

June 24, 1999
Please reference: Project No. 16080.5203
Dr. Charles E. McDade
ENSR
1200 Avenida Acaso
Camarillo, CA 93012

Subject: Preliminary Site Investigations: Altamont Pass, California (ALT1)

Dear Chuck:

On June 16, 1999 AVES, an Affiliate of ATC Associates, Inc., performed an initial site investigation in the Altamont Pass area.  The purpose of the investigation was to identify properties in and around this study area that would meet the siting criteria for an inter-basin transport site to be used during the CRPAQS monitoring program.  The SJVUAPCD’s Mr. Evan Shipp, and the BAAQMD’s Mssrs.  Jim Cordova and Gary Zoppo accompanied AVES during the site visit.  Their combined knowledge and assistance during the visit is gratefully acknowledged.

AVES was instructed to identify, if available, three sites per selected area that satisfied the siting criteria presented in Aerometric Monitoring Program Plan for the California Regional PM2.5 /PM10 Air Quality Study (CRPAQS), specifically Section 8.  Criteria used during siting this inter-basin transport site included:

• Site Commitment

• Sufficient Operating Space

• Access and Security

• Safety

• Power

• Environmental Control (where required)

• Exposure

• Distance from nearby emitters

• Proximity to other measurements

Presented below are AVES’s recommendations following its site selection activities performed in the Altamont Pass study area.

Site Description

The proposed site is located approximately 100m west of the dead end of Comstock Rd and is readily accessible off Intersate 580 using the N. Flynn Rd exit.  The site is located on the south side of the freeway approximately 100 meters above the grade of the freeway.  The site is secure and has power and telephone available.  The transmission station is enclosed by a cyclone fence with barbed wire.  GTE apparently leases the land from the landowner who resides at the farmhouse on the north side of I-580 due north of the proposed site.  The farmhouse can be seen in photograph P6160016.

The proposed site has 360° exposure and has additional space to set a 10 meter met tower.  Photographs P6160016 through P6160020 show views from the GTE enclosure to the north, east, south, west, and northeast (through the pass).  There appeared to be no signs of vandalism or suspicious activities at the site and the land owner appears to keep a watchful eye on his property.

The sites UTM coordinate are N 37°43’05.2" and W121° 39’38.2".  The GTE call sign is KNKA228, Tower ID is 1016788, and site number is CA0289.

Site 1- GTE MOBILENET Transmission Station

Emergency Number: (800) 621-2622

Other Locations

Numerous drive-by observations through the pass did not reveal any additional sites that would meet the siting specifications satisfied by the GTE site.  A CalTrans met site was identified, but was within 50 meters of I-580 at grade.  Other potential sites with power would be impacted by the turbulence generated by the wind power generation systems interspersed throughout the pass.

If you have any questions regarding the findings of this preliminary site assessment visit to Altamont Pass, please do not hesitate to contact me at (626) 447-5216.

Sincerely,

David B. Wright

Manager, Atmospheric Measurements