Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...

Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONB.3.2 Agricultural ResourcesAGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCESWould the project:a. Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland ofStatewide Importance (Farmland), as shown on the mapsprepared pursuant to the Farmland Mapping and MonitoringProgram of the California Resources Agency, to nonagriculturaluse?PotentiallySignificantImpactLess thanSignificantWithMitigationIncorporatedLess thanSignificantImpactNo Impactb. Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or aWilliamson Act contract?c. Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forestland (as defined in Public Resources Code section 12220(g)),timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code section4526), or timberland zoned Timberland Production (asdefined by Government Code section 51104(g))?d. Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest landto non-forest use?e. Involve other changes in the existing environment which,due to their location or nature, could result in conversion ofFarmland, to non-agricultural use or conversion of forestland to non-forest use?Significance criteria established by CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G.B.3.2.1 SettingThe property has been used in the past for agriculture and is currently used for cattle grazing.Existing grazing operations and planned grazing uses are described in detail in the proposedMaster Plan.B.3.2.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation Measuresa. Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of StatewideImportance (Farmland), as Shown on the Maps Prepared Pursuant to the FarmlandMapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) of the California Resources Agency, to Nonagriculturaluse?NO IMPACT. The site is categorized as “Grazing Land” on the Sonoma County ImportantFarmlands Map (2008), and the proposed project would continue to allow grazing on the site.Therefore, implementation of the proposed project would not result in the conversion of primeagricultural land to other uses.b. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use, or a Williamson Actcontract?NO IMPACT. A portion of the site is currently zoned Resource and Rural Development(Agricultural Preserve) (RRDWA). However, the County of Sonoma is in the process of revisingthe County Zoning Ordinance to remove zone districts that reference Agricultural Preserves orSeptember 2012 B-33 Final