General Plan Policy Document (Adopted 7-11 ... - City of Wheatland

CHAPTER 8ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCESWheatland’s environmental resources (water, air, vegetation, wildlife, and open space) contribute tothe city’s economy and are important elements in the quality of life of Wheatland’s residents. Thesenatural resources exist in limited quantity and are at risk of destruction or degradation throughcontinued urban development. The General Plan seeks to balance the need for growth with the needfor the conservation and enhancement of the area’s natural resources, frequently in cooperation withother agencies.GOALS, POLICIES, AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMSThis chapter contains goals, policies, and implementation programs that establish the framework forthe protection of valuable environmental resources in the Wheatland area. The goals and policies areorganized topically according to the following categories, each of which relates to a key objective forprotection of Wheatland’s environmental resources. Water Resources Fish and Wildlife Habitat Vegetation Open Space for the Preservation of Natural Resources Air Quality–General Air Quality–Transportation Energy ConservationWATERRESOURCESThe availability, quantity, and quality of water is vital to naturalprocesses and human activities. Water is essential to thedevelopment of housing, commerce, industry, and agriculture, torecreation, and to the maintenance of high quality fish and wildlifehabitats.The Bear River, Dry Creek, and Grasshopper Sloughs are all locatedwithin the General Plan Area boundary, and the Feather River iswithin five miles of the city. A groundwater aquifer underliesWheatland and serves as the City’s municipal water supply. Most ofthese resources are regional in nature and require a cooperativeeffort to ensure protection of water quality in these bodies. Policiesin this section seek to protect these resources and maintain thehighest quality for human and natural use. Water supplies are alsodiscussed in Chapter 5 under “Water Supply and Delivery.”Wheatland General Plan Policy Document, Part II 8-1July 11, 2006