Volume 2: Draft Gorst Planned Action Environmental Impact Statement

GORST PLANNED ACTION EIS | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT, SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURESImpactsIMPACTS COMMON TO ALL ALTERNATIVESWatershedNo land use changes are proposed for the Gorst Creek watershed outside the Gorst UGA beyond adoptedComprehensive Plan. Updated stormwater and habitat regulations in this area are not anticipated to have anyeffect on the demand for library service. Therefore, no significant impacts to library service are anticipated underany of the alternatives.Gorst UGAAlternative 1Under the No Action Alternative, population in the Gorst UGA would grow by approximately 82 residents, whichwould have minimal effect on the countywide LOS for the KRLS. While the Downtown Bremerton and Port Orchardlocal branches may experience a small increase in patronage from the Gorst community, it is unlikely that such asmall increase in population will have any significant effects on the KRLS’s ability to adequately serve the public.Alternative 2Under Alternative 2, the Gorst UGA would experience moderate population growth, adding 985 residents duringthe planning period. To maintain existing levels of service, this increase in population would require an additional8,816 items in annual circulation and an additional 345 square feet of library facility space, while this level ofgrowth would not significantly affect the countywide library LOS, it is likely that the Downtown Bremerton andPort Orchard branches would each experience a slight increase in patronage over time. How many of these newresidents would make use of the available library resources is unknown, as is the proportion of them who wouldpatronize the Bremerton branch versus the Port Orchard branch, making it difficult to quantify the precise level ofimpact. While Alternative 2 would have a greater effect on demand for library services than the No ActionAlternative, it would have a lower impact than Alternative 3.Alternative 3Under Alternative 3, the Gorst UGA would experience greater population growth than under Alternatives 1 or 2,adding 1082 residents during the planning period. To maintain existing levels of service, this increase in populationwould require an additional 9,684 items in annual circulation and an additional 379 square feet of library facilityspace. While this level of growth would not significantly affect the countywide library LOS, it is likely that theDowntown Bremerton and Port Orchard branches would each experience a slight increase in patronage over time.How many of these new residents would make use of the available library resources is unknown, as is theproportion of them who would patronize the Bremerton branch versus the Port Orchard branch, making it difficultto quantify the precise level of impact. Because it would generate the greatest growth in population, Alternative 3is anticipated to have a greater effect on demand for library services than either the No Action Alternative orAlternative 2.Mitigation MeasuresIncorporated Plan FeaturesNone.Applicable Regulations and Commitments• With additional development and population in the Gorst UGA, property tax revenues, which are the primarysource of funding for the Kitsap Regional Library, would increase over time. These additional revenues couldbe used to purchase additional circulation materials for the Downtown Bremerton and Port Orchard librariesto offset the additional demand generated by growth.Draft | June 2013 3-215