5.0 Cumulative Scenario and Methodology
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California Flats Solar Project EIR Section 5.0 Cumulative Scenario and Methodology 5.0 CUMULATIVE SCENARIO AND METHODOLOGY 5.1 CEQA REQUIREMENTS According to the State CEQA Guidelines Section 15130(a)(1), “a cumulative impact consists of an impact which is created as a result of the combination of the project evaluated in the environmental impact report (EIR) together with other projects causing related impacts.” In addition, an EIR must discuss cumulative impacts if the incremental effect of a project, combined with the effects of other projects is “cumulatively considerable” [Section 15130(a)]. Such incremental effects are to be “viewed in connection with the effects of past projects, the effects of other current projects, and the effects of probable future projects” [Section 15164(b)(1)]. Together, these projects comprise the cumulative scenario which forms the basis of the cumulative impact analysis. A cumulative impact analysis should highlight past actions that are closely related (either in time or location) to the project being considered, catalogue past projects and discuss how past projects have harmed the environment, and discuss past actions, even if they were undertaken by another agency or another person. Both the severity of impacts and the likelihood of their occurrence are to be reflected in the discussion, “but the discussion need not provide as great detail as is provided for the effects attributable to the project alone. The discussion of cumulative impacts shall be guided by standards of practicality and reasonableness, and shall focus on the cumulative impact to which the identified other projects contribute rather than the attributes of other projects which do not contribute to the cumulative impact” [Section 15130(b)]. However, the analysis must be in sufficient detail to be useful to decision makers in deciding whether, or how, to alter the program to lessen cumulative impacts. Most of the projects included in the cumulative projects list (refer to Table 5-1) have, are, or will be required to undergo their own independent environmental review under CEQA. Significant adverse impacts of the cumulative projects would be required to be reduced, avoided, or minimized through the application and implementation of mitigation measures. The net effect of these mitigation measures is assumed to be a general lessening of the potential for a contribution to cumulative impacts. There are two commonly used approaches, or methodologies, for establishing the cumulative impact setting or scenario. One approach is to use a “list of past, present, and probable future projects producing related or cumulative impacts” [Section 15130(b)(1)(A)]. The other is to use a “summary of projects contained in an adopted general plan or related planning document, or in a prior environmental document which has been adopted or certified, which described or evaluated regional or area wide conditions contributing to the cumulative impact” [Section 15130(b)(1)(B)]. This EIR uses the list approach to provide a tangible understanding and context for analysing the potential cumulative effects of a project. General plans and other planning documents were used as additional reference points in establishing the cumulative scenario for the analysis. County of Monterey 5-1 California Flats Solar Project EIR Section 5.0 Cumulative Scenario and Methodology 5.2 CUMULATIVE DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO 5.2.1 Proposed Development in the Project Vicinity Past, present and reasonably foreseeable future projects that could produce related or cumulative impacts are listed in Table 5‐1, and include projects in the South County Planning Area of Monterey County, northern San Luis Obispo County (in the vicinity of the communities of Cholame and Shandon), western Kings County [west of Interstate 5 (I-5)], and western Fresno County (west of Interstate 5). The table indicates the project name and project type, as well as its location and status. Collectively, these projects represent known and anticipated activities that may occur in the project vicinity that have the potential to produce related or cumulative impacts on the environment. Many projects in the cumulative effects scenario are limited in their geographic extent and would result in minor construction plans and renovations. Other projects in Table 5‐ 1, such as the solar projects, are expansive in nature and would have the potential to create cumulative impacts despite their distance from the proposed project. The more extensive solar projects in the vicinity of the project site are shown in Figure 5-1. Table 5-1 Cumulative Project List Project Name Project Type Location Status Monterey County: South County Planning Area PLN110569 Bray Use Permit to reactivate Along the east side of Complete. expired Use Permit Paris Valley Road, west of PLN080414, which allowed Highway 101 and four the drilling of six miles north of the town of exploratory oil and gas San Ardo wells on two sites in the same parcel. PLN120417 Roman Use Permit to allow Within U.S. Army Garrison Approved by County. Catholic Bishop of rehabilitation of existing Fort Hunter Liggett, at the Construction started, not Monterey structures at the Mission terminus of Mission Road, yet finished (will be built in San Antonio de Padua. Jolon phases). PLN030335 Schulze Administrative Permit to 177420 Indian Valley Approved by County. allow the construction of Road, San Miguel, Construction started, not an 850 sq. ft. one-story Assessor’s Parcel Number yet finished. senior citizen unit with an (APN) 424-441-002-000 attached 529 sq. ft. garage. PLN030507 Chevron Combined Development Pipeline will commence at Approved by County. Heated Oil Pipeline San Permit to allow installation the San Ardo Oil Field in Combined Development Ardo to Coalinga and operation of a 57.5 Monterey County and Permit expiration date has mile underground 10.75 traverse approximately 19 been extended to March inch diameter heated oil miles eastward to the 26, 2015. Construction not pipeline. Fresno County Line yet started. County of Monterey 5-2 California Flats Solar Project EIR Section 5.0 Cumulative Scenario and Methodology Table 5-1 Cumulative Project List Project Name Project Type Location Status PLN040103 County Combined Development 70850 and 70970 New Approved by County. Lake Estates Permit to allow a standard Pleyto Road, Bradley, Phase I Final Map for first subdivision vesting APNs 423-131-061-000 14 lots has been tentative map to divide two and 424-131-062-000 submitted. Construction of properties totalling 92 improvements has not yet acres into 52 started. single family parcels ranging in size from 1.0 acre to 5.1 acres and 5 commercial parcels; Use Permit to allow construction of a mutual water system; Use Permit to continue automobile and recreational vehicle storage and a General Development Plan. Phase 2 of the development proposal includes an offer to dedicate a site for a potential sheriff's station, two on-site inclusionary units, and an on-site park for recreation purposes. PLN050134 Victor Combined Development 70224 New Pleyto Road, Approved by County. Vargas Permit consisting of a Bradley, APN 423-251- Construction not yet General Development plan 010-000 started. for the establishment of a towing operation, automotive shops and RV/Boat Storage developed in two phases and a single family dwelling. PLN060043 Villanueva Minor Subdivision 50403 Martinez Road, Approved by County. Saul Victor & Maria Tentative Map to allow the Lockwood, APN 423-041- Construction not yet division of a 160 acre 018-000 started. parcel into four 40-acre parcels and a small water system. PLN060371 Long Valley Administrative Permit to 57440 Highway 198, 5 Approved. Partially built. Ranch Partners LLC allow a mutual small water miles east of San Lucas, system with 5-14 APNs 420-101-044-000, connections to serve 12 420-101-045-000, 421- parcels. 101-031-000, 421-101- 032-000, 421-131-006- 000, 421-131-007-000, 421-131-008-000, 421- 131-009-000 and 421-131- 010-000 PLN080320 Porter Use Permit to allow drilling Section 6 Township 24S Approved by County. Estate Company Bm 2-6 of three exploratory oil and Range 11E, cross streets Construction not yet gas wells. Hames Valley Road at started. Highway 101, APN 424- 101-004-000 County of Monterey 5-3 California Flats Solar Project EIR Section 5.0 Cumulative Scenario and Methodology Table 5-1 Cumulative Project List Project Name Project Type Location Status PLN080327 Porter Use Permit to allow drilling Section 2 Township 24S Approved by County. Estate Company Bm 2-3 of three exploratory oil and Range 10E, Bradley, APN Construction not yet gas wells. 424-081-082-000 started. PLN090296 Doud John Use Permit to allow the 612 acre Doud Ranch Approved by County. Edward Tr construction of one 6- north of Lonoak Road, Construction not yet meter-tall temporary pole approximately 3.8 miles started. tower to collect wind and southeast of King City, other meteorological data. APN 420-091-008-000 PLN110139 Sonne Guy Combined Development 65740 and 65750 Bradley Approved by County. D & Susan D Permit consisting of: 1) Road, Bradley, APNs 424- Construction not yet Use Permit to allow the 351-032-000, 424-351- started. construction of a 2,850 sf 033-000 mini storage facility with 4 parking spaces and a 784 sf manager’s residence (mobile home) and 2) Lot Line Adjustment to merge 3 existing lots into one parcel. San Luis Obispo County: Northeastern County Highway 46 Corridor Widening from a two- lane Highway 46 between Phased construction is Improvement Project to a four-lane expressway Geneseo Road and currently underway. from Geneseo Road Interstate 5. in Paso Robles to Interstate 5 in phases over an extended multi- year period Windfall Farms Minor Use Permit to allow Creston, APN 035-361-003 Application submitted, but temporary events within an project is on hold.