Miller Road Trench Soil Management Project

The Miller Road Trench Soil Management Project is an ongoing operational initiative by the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) to support the expansion of water infrastructure rehabilitation efforts across its service area. As pipeline replacement goals increase from 20 to 25 miles annually toward 30 miles by 2030, the project ensures adequate stockpiling and management of materials, primarily trench soil and backfill aggregates like rock and sand. Operations occur across two adjacent EBMUD-owned sites: the Miller Road site handles temporary storage and periodic off-haul of excavated trench soil, while a nearby site one mile south manages the import, storage, and removal of backfill materials used to refill trenches after pipeline work. The project involves a planned ramp-up in material volumes, including more frequent off-haul events for soil and increased imports and removals of backfill, all coordinated to align with construction schedules. Activity is restricted to weekday operations, with off-haul events typically spanning one month, and material transport occurs along designated routes to minimize community disruption, particularly near schools and residential areas. Environmental and operational compliance are central to the project’s execution. All activities are governed by strict mitigation measures outlined under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program requiring real-time oversight by EBMUD inspectors during every off-haul event. Contractors must adhere to dust control protocols, including covered truckloads, speed restrictions, idling limits, and weekly street sweeping along haul routes. Air quality impacts are modeled using CalEEMod v2022.1, with noise emissions required to stay below 66 dBA and ideally under 58 dBA at receptor locations. Soil must be characterized to ensure no contaminated material enters the stockpiles, and all transport complies with Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan requirements. The project also includes protections for special-status species such as Crotch’s bumble bee, burrowing owl, San Joaquin kit fox, and California red-legged frog, with measures in place to avoid harm to their habitats. While no formal contract pricing, FAR clauses, or evaluation factors are provided, the operational scope is supported by enforceable site-specific conditions, including driver acknowledgments, route coordination with local agencies, and potential penalties for violations ranging from warnings to permanent site banishment. EBMUD retains full oversight as the lead agency, with Gus Cicala serving as the primary point of contact, and project documentation is publicly accessible via EBMUD’s website with adoption of the Final