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

Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONAt the local level, the Sonoma County General Plan 2020 (General Plan; SCPRMD, 2008)regulates the use of land in unincorporated Sonoma County. Several elements of the GeneralPlan apply to potential future development of the site, including, but not limited to, the OpenSpace and Resource Conservation Element and the Water Resources Element. The formerelement addresses the preservation of special-status species, aquatic habitats, sensitive naturalcommunities, and wildlife corridors. The latter element addresses water resources includingelements related to water quality, groundwater, water conservation and re-use, and watershedmanagement. Other county ordinances provide protections for critical habitat areas, ripariancorridors, and native trees.B.3.4.2 Environmental Impacts and Mitigation MeasuresThe proposed Master Plan includes the development of trails, roadway access, parking areasand the restoration or construction of accessory buildings, as identified in the ProjectDescription (Section B.1.5). The development of infrastructure and the implementation of theallowable uses would occur over time, as funding becomes available. Potential project impactareas have been categorized by development and/or use type and include: access and parking,buildings and infrastructure, camping, and trails. Biological resources potentially affected by theproposed Master Plan uses are illustrated in Figure B.3.4-2, Potential Biological ResourceImpacts.Quantification of potential impacts is based on review of conceptual designs in the proposedMaster Plan and assumptions regarding development footprints. For example, for trail impacts,it was assumed that all trails would be developed at the maximum width of six feet. TheMaster Plan includes provisions to refine designs and further protect biological resources fromboth direct and indirect impacts, so these estimates are considered conservative and mayoverstate the actual impact. The Master Plan also recommends restoring habitats on thePreserve. Master Plan standards that serve to reduce or avoid impacts are referenced andsummarized below. Resource protection guidelines and specific details of standards areoutlined in the Master Plan.a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitatmodifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status speciesin local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fishand Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT. Although special-status wildlife species are found on the property,impacts from implementation of the Master Plan would be less than significant due to the lowlevel of proposed development, avoidance of habitat areas and requirements for resourceprotection and restoration.PlantsAs described in the setting, no special-status plant species that have potential to occur wereobserved at the site during protocol-level rare plant surveys conducted in March, May, and July2010. Therefore no impacts on special-status plant species are expected and no mitigation isrequired.September 2012 B-49 Final