Saticoy & Wells Community Plan & Development ... - City Of Ventura

Saticoy & Wells Community Plan and Code EIRSection 4.4 Biological ResourcesDue to large-scale agriculture and urban development within the Project Area, the onlyremaining Project Area wetland and riparian habitats present are along the Brown Barranca andthe Santa Clara River floodplain. The potential for impacts to riparian, wetland, and openwater habitats is limited due to the extent of such habitats in the Project Area. Most projectsfacilitated by the Community Plan would occur on land that has already been altered byagricultural activities or development, to a varying degree and, therefore, would not affectwetland and riparian areas. Potential development facilitated under the Project Area wouldinclude the adopted UC Hansen Specific Plan, the proposed Parklands Specific Plan, andpotential development on the Citrus Place site, the Broome site, and the Aldea Hermosa site, allof which would convert existing agriculture lands to non-agricultural use (For the locations seeFigure 2-5 in Project Description). The Parklands site is the only potential development area thatincludes portions of the Brown Barranca. As part of the Draft Environmental Impact Report(DEIR) for the proposed Parklands Specific Plan, impacts to riparian habitat were analyzed andmitigation measures including invasive plant removal, wetland creation, and a barranca andbasin management plan were recommended to reduce any potentially significant impacts to aless than significant level. Furthermore, Policy 11J of the Community Plan directs theincorporation of green design and infrastructure using low impact development techniques toprotect and preserve water resources. Specifically, Action 11.3.29 requires landscaping toreduce water demand, retain runoff, decrease flooding, and recharge groundwater throughselection of plants, soil preparation, and the installation of appropriate irrigation systems.Bridges, multi-modal paths, and other infrastructure may affect riparian and wetland areas.Permits would be required prior to beginning any activity in Army Corps and Department ofFish and Game jurisdictional areas, in order to ensure no net loss of wetland or riparian habitat.Assuming that Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) asserts jurisdictional authority,a general Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) permit would be required to regulate any filldischarge to State waters.The proposed Project follows the “infill first” strategy for development promoted in the 2005General Plan and also promotes “green development” in order to manage natural resourceswithin the Project Area. Implementation of Action 1.8 from the 2005 General Plan, requiringbuffers from the Santa Clara River, would minimize potential impacts to riparian and ruderalvegetation near the river’s floodplain to a less than significant level. Action 1.9 of the 2005General Plan requires the use of native landscaping adjacent to rivers, creeks, and barrancas,which addresses potential indirect adverse effects to downstream fish, wildlife, and vegetationas a result of water quality degradation associated with increased human activity. In addition,Action 1.10 of the 2005 General Plan requires restoration of channelized barrancas and creeks toa quasi-natural condition to the extent feasible.Community Plan policies and actions are consistent with 2005 General Plan actions and wouldreduce impacts to riparian and wetland habitats. The Community Plan includes the followingpolicy and actions (from the Our Natural Community section) aimed at the protection of wetlandand riparian areas from the impacts of future development:Policy 11ARestore and maintain critical environmental habitats, such as the Brownand Franklin Barrancas and the Santa Clara River, as vital components4.4-13City of Ventura