Rising Tree Wind Farm Project Notice of Preparation - County of Kern

KERN COUNTY PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
RISING TREE WIND ENERGY PROJECT
Potentially
Significant
Impact
POPULATION AND HOUSING. Would the project:
a. Induce substantial population growth in an area,
either directly (for example, by proposing new
homes and businesses) or indirectly (for
example, through extension of roads or other
infrastructure)?
b. Displace substantial numbers of existing
housing, necessitating the construction of
replacement housing elsewhere?
c. Displace substantial numbers of people,
necessitating the construction of replacement
housing elsewhere?
Discussion:
Potentially
Significant
Impact
Unless
Mitigated
Less Than
Significant
Impact
No
Impact
(a) Typical established local thresholds of significance for housing and population growth pursuant
to the State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15064.7 include effects that would induce substantial
growth or concentration of a population beyond County projections, alter the location, distribution,
density, or growth rate of the population beyond that projected in the Housing Element,
result in a substantial increase in demand for additional housing, or create a development that
significantly reduces the ability of the County to meet housing objectives set forth in the General
Plan Housing Element.
Construction of the Project is expected to require 200 to 300 workers whose numbers would vary
depending on the stage of construction. Construction would occur over the ten to 12 month
period. Construction workers are expected to travel to the site from various locations throughout
southern California, and the number of workers relocating to the surrounding area is not expected
to be substantial. Operation of the Project would also require eight (8) to 16 full-time or part-time
staff. The EIR/EIS will address the Project’s potential to directly or indirectly induce additional
population or the development of housing or businesses.
Although the Project would produce energy, it is intended to meet the demand for energy that is
already projected based on growth in communities around California. While the Project’s energy
would replace energy generated by fossil fuels, thereby contributing to California’s renewable
energy goals, the production of additional energy may indirectly be growth inducing. These
issues will be analyzed within the EIR/EIS.
(b-c) Although not anticipated, impacts to identified residential buildings potentially requiring
relocation will be analyzed in the EIR/EIS. Should any occupied buildings need to be relocated,
appropriate mitigation will be identified. Also, the Project’s potential for displacement of any
persons will be evaluated in the EIR/EIS.
July 2011 41 Initial Study/Notice of Preparation