Eagle Rim Initial Study and Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration
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Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration for Eagle Rim Trail Improvement Project Prepared by Marin County Open Space District August 14, 2018 This document has been prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970, as amended Table of Contents 1 Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) Overview .......................................................... 2 2 Existing Setting ................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Project Location ........................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Project Site .................................................................................................................. 5 2.3 Vegetation ................................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Hydrology ...................................................................................................................11 3 Project Purpose and Need .................................................................................................11 4 Trail Assessment ...............................................................................................................12 5 Project Description .............................................................................................................12 5.1 Eagle Rim Trail ...........................................................................................................15 5.2 Lower Bowl Reroute ....................................................................................................15 5.3 Drainage Improvements ..............................................................................................15 5.4 Trail Decommissioning ................................................................................................16 5.5 Fencing and Signage ..................................................................................................17 5.6 Designation .................................................................................................................17 5.7 Construction................................................................................................................17 5.8 Operation and Maintenance ........................................................................................18 5.9 Project Design Features..............................................................................................18 5.10 Permits and Approvals ................................................................................................22 6 Determination ....................................................................................................................23 7 Environmental Effects of the Project ..................................................................................24 7.1 Aesthetics ...................................................................................................................24 7.2 Agriculture and Forest Resources ...............................................................................26 7.3 Air Quality ...................................................................................................................28 7.4 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................35 7.5 Cultural Resources .....................................................................................................45 7.6 Energy ........................................................................................................................50 7.7 Geology and Soils .......................................................................................................51 7.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions .......................................................................................57 7.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials ..............................................................................60 7.10 Hydrology and Water Quality ......................................................................................63 7.11 Land Use and Planning ...............................................................................................75 7.12 Mineral Resources ......................................................................................................76 7.13 Noise ..........................................................................................................................77 7.14 Population and Housing ..............................................................................................82 7.15 Public Services ...........................................................................................................83 7.16 Recreation ..................................................................................................................84 7.17 Transportation .............................................................................................................85 7.18 Tribal Cultural Resources ............................................................................................88 7.19 Utilities and Service Systems ......................................................................................91 7.20 Wildfire ........................................................................................................................94 8 Mandatory Findings of Significance....................................................................................96 Initial Study/Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration August 14, 2018 Marin County Open Space District i Eagle Rim Trail Improvement Project 8.1 Degrade the environment – Less than Significant .......................................................96 8.2 Cause cumulatively considerable impacts – Less than Significant ..............................97 8.3 Have substantial adverse effects on human beings – Less than Significant ................99 9 References ...................................................................................................................... 100 Appendices Appendix A: Marin County Open Space District’s Road and Trail Management Plan Policies and Best Management Practices ..................................................... Appendix A Page 1 List of Figures Figure 1: MCOSD Preserves by Region ..................................................................................... 3 Figure 2, Region 4 Trail Designations ........................................................................................ 4 Figure 3: Existing Eagle Rim Trail .............................................................................................. 5 Figure 4 & 5: Existing Eagle Rim Trail ........................................................................................ 6 Figure 6: Trail 11251 .................................................................................................................. 6 Figure 7. Region 4 Map .............................................................................................................. 7 Figure 8: Project Site.................................................................................................................. 8 Figure 9: Vegetation Management Zones .................................................................................10 Figure 10: Novato Creek Watershed .........................................................................................11 Figure 11: Eagle Rim Trail Map .................................................................................................14 Figure 12 &13: Lower Bowl Trail Looking Downhill & Uphill.......................................................15 Figure 14: Climbing Turn, Plan View .........................................................................................18 Figure 15, Climbing Turn, Side View .........................................................................................19 Figure 16: Knick ........................................................................................................................20 Figure 17: Rolling Grade Dip .....................................................................................................21 Figure 18 & 19: Eagle Rim Trail at Ridgeline & Deer Camp Fire Road ......................................25 Figure 20 & 21: Communication Tower & Eagle Rim Trail .........................................................25 Figure 22: Archaeological Sensitivity .........................................................................................49 List of Tables Table 1: Air Quality Policies and BMPs .....................................................................................30 Table 2: Cultural Resources Policies and BMPs .......................................................................46 Table 3. Soil Survey for Project Area ........................................................................................53 Table 4: Water Quality Policies and BMPs ................................................................................65 Table 5: Noise Policies and BMPs ............................................................................................78 Table 6: Groundborne Vibrations ..............................................................................................81 Initial Study/Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration August 14, 2018 Marin County Open