Notice of Preparation (NOP)

To: Responsible Agencies, Trustee Agencies, and Interested Parties

From: City of Clearlake, 14050 Olympic Drive, Clearlake, CA 96422

Subject: Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report

Project Title: General Plan 2040 Update for the City of Clearlake

Lead Agency: City of Clearlake, CA

Project Location: City of Clearlake, CA

Introduction

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is a statute that requires state and local agencies to identify the potential environmental impacts of a project, and to avoid or mitigate those impacts, if feasible. A public agency must comply with CEQA when it undertakes an activity defined by CEQA as a "project," such as a General Plan Update. The City of Clearlake will be the lead agency and will prepare an environmental impact report for the Clearlake General Plan.

Pursuant to CEQA, the Clearlake General Plan 2040 Update’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will identify potential environmental impacts and feasible measures to mitigate those impacts. The preparation of an EIR includes specific time periods for public notice and comment.

We are requesting the assistance of your agency in defining the scope and content of the environmental information which is relevant to your agency’s statutory responsibilities, in connection with the proposed project. The project description, location and potential environmental effects are listed below.

Due to the time limits mandated by State law, your response must be sent as early as possible, but no later than 30 days after receipt of this notice. Please send your response to:

Clearlake City Manager, Joan Phillipe, at 14050 Olympic Drive, Clearlake, CA 96422.

Or by email to: [email protected]

A copy of the Draft General Plan 2040 can be found at www.clearlake.ca.us or http://planclearlake.weebly.com/general-plan-draft.html

1 Environmental Setting

Project Location

The City of Clearlake is located in Northern California, approximately 80 miles north of San Francisco. It is situated in rural Lake County, bordered by Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, Yolo, Colusa and Glenn Counties. The City is 10.8 square miles and sits on the southern shore of Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake entirely within the State. Clearlake is bisected by State Route 53, a major connector between State Routes 20 and 29, as shown in Figure 1.

Tectonic activity in the form of the collision of the Pacific and North American plates over one million years ago formed Mount Konocti, a dormant volcano rising 4,300 feet above sea level. Clearlake is located at the base of Mount Konocti, within the Clear Lake watershed. At the center of the watershed lies Clear Lake, measuring 63 square miles in area. Clear Lake is estimated to have formed approximately 2.5 million years ago.

Lake County has a Mediterranean climate typical of coastal California regions. Mediterranean climates are characterized by warm and dry summers along with moist winters. Winters are the rainy months with average temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer highs can exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but summer temperatures can drop to 50 degrees Fahrenheit by nightfall. Located adjacent to Clear Lake, the City temperature rarely falls below freezing. Year round winds blow generally from west and northwest. Precipitation varies annually, with average rainfall of 25 to 30 inches per year for areas along the lake, with higher rates of precipitation and minor amounts of snowfall for higher elevations.

2 Figure 1: Regional Setting

3 Project Boundaries

A general plan must cover the territory within the boundaries of the adopting city as well as any land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency’s judgment bears relation to its planning (; OPR, 2003, §65300). The Clearlake General Plan 2040 is the governing document for all planning and development related decisions within in the City’s limit, as well as for the planning area and sphere of influence as defined by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). Therefore, the Proposed Project boundary is defined by the City planning area and sphere of influence, which extends beyond the City limits. The following information on the City of Clearlake’s boundary and sphere of influence is provided from the City of Clearlake General Plan Background Report, 2012.

A city’s limit encompasses incorporated territory where land use is controlled by the city (OPR, 2003). Clearlake’s city limit encompasses an area of about 6,910 acres. Land use within Clearlake’s city limit includes urban land use patterns of residential, commercial, agricultural, and vacant land.

Sphere of Influence

A city’s Sphere of Influence (SOI) is adopted by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) and encompasses the incorporated and unincorporated territory that is to be the city’s ultimate service area (OPR, 2003). In 1987, Lake LAFCO adopted an SOI for Clearlake to include approximately 7,310 acres of unincorporated land (Lake LAFCO, 1987). In 1989, this area was amended to include properties owned by the Clearlake Hotel and Resort Co. located within the Clearlake Oaks Fire Protection District. Clearlake’s SOI follows logical divisions between communities and centers of growth extending eastward (Lake LAFCO, 1987). Land uses within the unincorporated area of the SOI are predominately undeveloped, vacant and open space lands (Lake LAFCO, 1987). Public facilities including police, fire, street, water, sewer, and administrative services are required to accommodate the area within the City of Clearlake’s Sphere of Influence.

Planning Area

City’s planning area boundary encompasses incorporated and unincorporated territory bearing a relation to the City’s planning and may extend beyond the Sphere of Influence (OPR, 2003). In Clearlake’s case, the Lake plays a significant role in planning for the City and is included in the planning area. Figure 2 shows the City’s planning area.

4 Figure 2: Planning Area

5 Project Description

The proposed project is the preparation of a comprehensive update of the City’s 1980 General Plan. California law requires cities and counties to adopt a General Plan to guide future development. The General Plan is the foundation upon which all land use decisions are to be based. The Draft Clearlake General Plan accommodates new housing and jobs in anticipation of population growth in the County and the region through the year 2040. The General Plan includes the following elements:

 Land Use  Circulation  Housing  Conservation  Open Space  Noise  Safety  Economic Development  Public Facilities  Community Design  Health

The EIR to be prepared for the proposed General Plan Update is a “Program EIR.” According to the CEQA Handbook Article 11 Section 15168: A program EIR is an EIR which may be prepared on a series of actions that can be characterized as one large project and are related either:

(1) Geographically, (2) As logical parts in the chain of contemplated actions, (3) In connection with issuance of rules, regulations, plans, or other general criteria to govern the conduct of a continuing program, or (4) As individual activities carried out under the same authorizing statutory or regulatory authority and having generally similar environmental effects which can be mitigated in similar ways.

Thus, a program level EIR evaluates the implications of environmental effects resulting from the adoption of a planning document, such as a general plan, which provides direction for long-term visioning and broad community goals. A program level EIR does not examine the specific impacts resulting from individual projects which may be proposed as a result of adopting the General Plan 2040. Additional environmental review pursuant to CEQA guidelines may be required for site-specific projects, such as those requiring discretionary approval. Such environmental review may be in the form of initial studies, negative declarations, mitigated negative declarations, or the preparation of a project-level EIR.

Project Objectives

The Clearlake General Plan 2040 is intended to represent the general expectations and wishes of its residents and decision-makers concerning future land use patterns and resource management. Longstanding community values reflected in the plan include resource conservation and maintenance of the City’s small town character. These values are perpetuated by the General Plan. The Plan continues to provide that new housing and commercial enterprises are generally directed to areas that are suitable for development, or are already developed. The General Plan 2040 ensures that important land use decisions are scrutinized for their potential to affect the quality of life and the environment. Implementation of the General Plan requires a balance between potentially competing interests. It is expected that future decision-makers will need to wrestle with potential trade-offs and compromises such as maintaining a balance of housing choices, stimulating a growing economy, and protecting the natural environment. The General Plan provides the policy guidance needed to assist future decision-makers in evaluating these tradeoffs and striking a desirable balance. The purpose of and community goals represented in the Draft General Plan can be summarized with the following key objectives:

6  Provide a legal and comprehensive General Plan that reflects an updated vision for the City’s future and acts a “constitution” for future development and land use decisions  Protect the City’s rural character and maintain the small town atmosphere  Provide an adequate supply of housing options for current and future residents including workforce housing and moderate-income housing  Develop incentives to encourage economic development including permit streamlining for eligible projects  Accommodate future population growth with an emphasis on concentrating new development within eight key growth areas while leaving the natural landscape open for passive and active recreational use  Promote infill and redevelopment of residential and commercial areas to reduceauto-dependency, increase job to housing balance, and foster sense of community  Improve local transportation infrastructure and facilitate the paving of roads and sidewalks to allow for emergency vehicle access and improve aesthetic appeal and walkability of the downtown corridor and residential neighborhoods  Address other issues of concern to the community such as the needs of an increasingly aging population, and the effects of global climate change.

Probable Environmental Effects

The Draft EIR will address the short- and long-term effects of the Clearlake General Plan 2040 Update on the environment. Mitigation measures will be proposed for those impacts that are determined to be significant. A mitigation monitoring program will also be developed as required by Section 15150 of the CEQA Guidelines.

Please review the following list, and provide written comments as to any potential impacts may bemissing. Written comments received during the comment period will be considered when preparing the Draft EIR. The following is a preliminary list of the probable environmental effects of the implementation of the preferred scenario of the General Plan:

Aesthetics

1. The preferred scenario for development along Lakeshore drive, as well as an increase in building height, may result in negative impacts to scenic vistas and view corridors. 2. The preferred scenario for development along the Olympic Drive corridor may result in negative impacts to the view corridor provided by Austin Park. 3. The preferred scenarios may result in an increase in light glare as a result of new development.

Agricultural Resources

1. The preferred scenario may result in reduced resources, such as land and water, available for agricultural uses.

Air Quality

1. The preferred scenario may result in an increased amount of air pollution associated with population and activity growth.

Biological Resources 1. The preferred scenario for development along the lake shore may result in negative impacts on the Clear Lake’s aquatic ecosystem.

7 2. The preferred scenario may result in greater human disturbances on surrounding park lands and open space.

Cultural Resources

1. The preferred scenario may impact paleontological resources during the construction phase of the project. 2. The preferred scenario may impact one area listed on the National Register of Historic Resources and two areas listed as points of interest. 3. The preferred scenario may impact archaeological resources during the construction phase of the project.

Geology and Soils

1. Increased development in Ogulin Canyon would be in close proximity to areas that may experience relatively high peak ground acceleration areas, as designated by the U.S. Geological Survey for 50 Year Seismic Hazards (500 year events). 2. Increased land development may also result in increased cases of damaged structural foundations due to expansive soils, such as adobe clay.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

1. The preferred scenario may result in an increased amount of GHG emissions associated with population and activity growth. These may result primarily from the residential, commercial, and transportation sectors. 2. Increased population growth could lead to an increase in waste sent to the Eastlake Landfill, which does not have a landfill gas recovery system.

Hazards and Hazardous Materials

1. Increased population growth and development may result in increased exposure to fire hazards. The preferred growth scenario mentions Ogulin Canyon as an area for increased industrial land use development. This area is in close proximity to “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone” as designated by Cal Fire. 2. Increased population growth and development may result in increased exposure to flooding and other water hazards. The preferred growth scenario calls for commercial development of the Lakeshore Drive corridor. Although this corridor is not in the 100 year flood-plain, it is directly exposed to Clear Lake and therefore vulnerable to seiches triggered by earthquakes. 3. Increases in population may cause the incidence of crime to increase, especially if law enforcement resources are not adequately expanded. 4. Increased development densities near the base of steep slopes may be more susceptible to damage from landslides. Landslide hazards are highest near areas with steep slopes and weak soils.

Hydrology and Water Quality

1. The preferred scenario may lead to sediment runoff into the lake during the construction phase of the project. 2. The preferred scenario may result in an increase in impermeable surfaces and storm water runoff after construction. 8 3. The preferred scenario may result in an increase in waste water generation. 4. The preferred scenario includes building in a 100 year floodplain, which could result in future water pollution from flooded buildings.

Land Use and Planning

1. The project may conflict with any applicable land use plan, policy or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project (including, but not limited to the general plan, specific plan, local coastal program, or zoning ordinance) adopted for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.

Mineral Resources

1. There are no expected effects on mineral resources.

Noise

1. The preferred scenario may increase noise levels along Lakeshore Drive, due to an increase in activity in the area.

2. Construction activities resulting from the preferred scenario may increase noise levels beyond thresholds of significance.

Population and Housing

1. The preferred scenario may induce substantial population growth in an area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure). 2. The preferred scenario may displace substantial numbers of existing housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere. 3. The preferred scenario may displace substantial numbers of people, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere.

Public Services and Recreation

1. The preferred scenario may create an increased demand for fire, rescue, and emergency services within the Lake County Fire Protection District service area. It is not anticipated that the increase in service population would require the construction or expansion of facilities. However, there may be construction impacts if new facilities are constructed or expanded. 2. The preferred scenario may create an increased demand for law enforcement services in the Clearlake Police Department service area and may result in construction impacts if new facilities are constructed. 3. The preferred scenario for development may exceed the ability of local schools to adequately serve the Konocti School District service area, and may result in construction impacts if new school facilities or modification of existing facilities is necessary. 4. The preferred scenario for development may result in physical impacts associated with the construction of new or physically-altered parks.

Recreation

9 1. There are no expected effects on recreation.

Transportation and Traffic

1. The preferred scenario for development may result in increased vehicular traffic in and around Clearlake. 2. The development of commercial properties and uses may increase the demand for parking along Lakeshore Drive. 3. The preferred scenario may increase traffic, particularly along State Route 53. 4. Road improvements, most importantly paving of previously unpaved roads, may increase the amount of land area in Clearlake covered by non-permeable surfaces. 5. Introduction of traffic calming measures in Clearlake may reduce the throughput of some roadways in the City, and may increase travel time.

Utilities, Energy and Service Systems

1. The preferred scenario for development may result in generation of additional solid waste and the need for solid waste disposal.

Mandatory Findings of Significance

Growth-inducing Impacts

1. The preferred scenario may induce substantial population growth in the project area, either directly (for example, by proposing new homes and businesses) or indirectly (for example, through extension of roads or other infrastructure).

Cumulative Impacts

1. Climate change affects weather patterns and can increase the frequency of floods, landslides, and fires. Combined with increased development and population growth, there is the potential for a relatively high cumulative effect of exposure to a combination of these hazards in the future. Emergency response agencies such as police and fire departments may be in further demand as a result.

Significant Irreversible Changes

1. The proposed project may result in significant irreversible changes to the environment, due to development of previously undeveloped land.

Alternatives

The Draft EIR will discuss four project alternatives, including the preferred scenario, a no-project scenario (referred to as business as usual), and aggressive growth scenario, and a less aggressive growth scenario.

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