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

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Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONh. Would the project expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury, or deathinvolving wildland fires, including where wildlands are adjacent to urbanized areas orwhere residences are intermixed with wildlands?LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT. Portions of the Taylor Mountain property are near urban areas thatinclude residential uses and two schools (Kawana Elementary and Sonoma Academy). Similarto other regional parks, there is a risk of wildland fire from illegal smoking or illegal campfires,as well as from natural causes such as lightning strikes. Potential fire hazards was an issueraised by the public during development of the Master Plan. Taylor Mountain is located in anarea characterized by “High” and “Very High” Fire Hazard on the Sonoma County HazardMitigation Plan (Sonoma County, 2006). It is identified as “Moderate” on the CalFIRE – FireHazard Severity Zones on its State Responsibility Areas (SRA) map (CalFIRE, 2007).Expanded use of the site could result in an increase in fire hazards. Cumulatively, climatechange may contribute to increased fire hazards. The Master Plan includes provisions for fireprevention, including: S280 – Development and maintenance of emergency access routes through the property; S281 – Installing barriers to prevent non-authorized vehicle use on trails and at access points; S282 – Prohibition of smoking within the park (this is a Countywide ordinance); S230 and S283 – Limited use of barbecues and firepits in designated developed areas that areclear of vegetation; S285 – Continued grazing and trail mowing to reduce fire fuel levels; S286 – Prevent the establishment or control invasive plant species that can increase the riskfor fire. S287 – Prohibition of use of power tools during periods of high and very high fire hazard; and S288 – During periods of high and very high fire hazard, prohibition of driving maintenancevehicles into undeveloped areas of the property except for emergencies.Prohibition of smoking and other fire restrictions would be clearly displayed at theinformational kiosks. With increased use of the park and additional “eyes on the site,” illegalfire use would likely decrease.With these Master Plan measures, the potential impact would be less than significant.Final B-78 September 2012
Taylor MountainINITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATIONB.3.8 Hydrology and Water QualityHYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITYWould the project:PotentiallySignificantImpactPotentiallySignificantUnlessMitigationIncorporatedLess thanSignificantImpactNo Impacta. Violate Regional Water Quality Control Board water quality standards orwaste discharge requirements?b. Substantially deplete groundwater supplies or interfere substantially withgroundwater discharge such that there would be a net deficit in the aquifervolume or a lowering of the local groundwater table level (i.e., the productionrate of pre-existing nearby wells would drop to a level which would notsupport existing land uses or planned uses for which permits have beengranted)?c. Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, includingthrough the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantiallyincrease the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner that would resultin substantial erosion or siltation on or off site?d. Substantially alter the existing drainage pattern of the site or area, includingthrough the alteration of the course of a stream or river, or substantiallyincrease the rate or amount of surface runoff in a manner that would resultin flooding on or off site?e. Create or contribute runoff water which would exceed the capacity ofexisting or planned stormwater drainage systems or provide substantialadditional sources of polluted runoff?f. Otherwise substantially degrade water quality?g. Place housing within a 100-year flood hazard area as mapped on a FederalFlood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Map or other hazarddelineation map?h. Place within 100-year flood hazard area structures that would impede orredirect flood flows?i. Expose people or structures to a significant risk of loss, injury or deathinvolving flooding, including flooding as a result of the failure of a levee ordam.j. Cause inundation by seiche, tsunami, or mudflow?Significance criteria based on CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G.B.3.8.1 SettingExisting ConditionsThe Taylor Mountain property is perched above the Santa Rosa Plain and encompasses theheadwaters for Colgan Creek, Todd Creek, and a portion of Matanzas Creek. Streamflowsoriginating on Taylor Mountain provide cool, clean water to these creeks as they traversethrough the urban areas of the Santa Rosa Plain. For some wildlife species, the creeks and theirassociated riparian vegetation may provide marginal movement corridors from the Laguna deSanta Rosa through the cities of Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park to the uplands of TaylorMountain. The Santa Rosa Citywide Creek Master Plan (City of Santa Rosa, 2007) includes thegoals of improving creek conditions and habitat value in the urban reaches, as well as providingrecreational access and transportation corridors.September 2012 B-79 Final
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Initial Study MND - Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and ...

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