Volume 2: Draft Gorst Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement

GORST PLANNED ACTION EIS | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT, SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURESBurning of slash or demolition debris will not be permitted without express approval from PSCAA. No slash burningis anticipated for any construction projects in the Gorst study area.GHG Reduction MeasuresWashington State has established GHG reductions with 2020 (1990 levels), 2035 (20 percent reduction below1990) and 2050 (50 percent reduction below 1990) limits and adopted requirements for capital investments, anenergy strategy, and VMT reduction targets. However, neither Ecology nor EPA has adopted numerical GHGemissions standards, GHG reduction requirements, or numerical GHG significance thresholds that direct localgovernment land use development actions. It is the City of Bremerton’s and Kitsap County’s responsibility toimplement its GHG reduction requirements for new developments.As noted above, development requirements within the SKIA Subarea Plan will help to mitigate GHG impacts withina portion of the Gorst Creek Watershed. Additionally, Kitsap County has established an Energy Efficiency andConservation Plan that outlines energy conservation and GHG emissions reduction measures, some of which couldpotentially reduce GHG impacts within the Gorst study area. Also, Kitsap County has already implemented manyinitiatives (as described above) that have increased energy efficiency and are aimed at reducing climate changeimpacts. As part of the pending planned action ordinance under consideration, the Kitsap County and the City ofBremerton could require or encourage future developers to implement additional trip-reduction measures andenergy conservation measures that could provide even greater GHG reductions. GHG emissions reductions couldbe provided by using building design and construction methods to use recycled construction materials, reducespace heating and electricity usage, incorporate renewable energy sources and reduce water consumption andwaste generation.Table 3.3-8 Potential GHG Reduction Mitigation Measures lists a variety of mitigation measures that could reduceGHG emissions caused by transportation facilities, building construction, space heating, and electricity usage(Ecology 2008). The table lists potential GHG reduction measures and indicates where the emission reductionsmight occur.Kitsap County and the City of Bremerton could require development applicants to consider the reduction measuresshown in Table 3.3-8 Potential GHG Reduction Mitigation Measures for their projects. Kitsap County and the City ofBremerton can incorporate potential GHG reduction measures through its goals, policies, or regulations, includingthe proposed Planned Action Ordinance.Draft | June 2013 3-47