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Environmental Analysis FINAL UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER SUNSET STABLES REACH RESTORATION PROJECT SECTION 3 Environmental Analysis 3.1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Chapter 3 describes the affected environment and environmental consequences of the Proposed Project (Proposed Action under NEPA) and No Project (No Action under NEPA) alternative. Impacts are addressed at a level of detail that is commensurate with the magnitude of the potential impact. The evaluation criteria are provided in the CEQA Checklist (see Appendix A), and the TRPA IEC (see Appendix B) for CEQA and TRPA, respectively. 3.1.1 Resources Analyzed in Detail The resource areas listed below would potentially be affected by the Proposed Project and are discussed in detail in Sections 3.2 through 3.14. 3.2 Aesthetics 3.3 Air Quality 3.4 Biological Resources 3.5 Cultural Resources 3.6 Geology and Soils 3.7 Greenhouse Gases 3.8 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 3.9 Hydrology and Water Quality 3.10 Noise 3.11 Recreation 3.12 Traffic and Circulation 3.13 Utilities and Service Systems 3.14 CEQA Mandatory Findings of Significance Each resource section includes a description of existing conditions and a combined analysis of environmental consequences for NEPA/CEQA. Determinations for NEPA/CEQA are combined for the No Action/No Project Alternative and separated at the end of each resource section for the Proposed Project Alternative. 3.1.2 Resources Not Analyzed in Detail Based on the project description (Chapter 2) and the affected environment, the following environmental resources would not be affected by the Proposed Project and are not further analyzed in Chapter 3. Agriculture and Forest Resources - There are currently no agricultural uses within the Project Area. The CTC manages its lands for environmental protection (CTC 2005c) and the LTBMU manages its parcel under the Urban Lot Management Area (parcel was purchased under the Santini-Burton Act), and neither agency intends to initiate or permit agricultural use on these properties. The Proposed Project would not result in loss of forest land, convert forest land to non-forest use, or convert Farmland to non- agricultural use. ENTRIX, INC. 49 FINAL UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER SUNSET STABLES REACH RESTORATION PROJECT Environmental Justice –The nearest populated communities to the Project Area have lower percentages of minorities and persons living below the poverty threshold than the counties as a whole. However, the Proposed Project would be located in rural areas, removed from the nearest populated areas. Therefore, the Proposed Project would not have a disproportionate effect on minority or lower income communities. Indian Trust Assets – No Indian Trust Assets are located in or near the Project Area (CSLT 2008). Land Use and Planning - Land use decisions in the Project Area are guided by three plans: the LTBMU Forest Plan (USFS 1988), the TRPA Regional Plan (with specific Plan Area Statements [PAS]) (TRPA 1987), and the Lake Tahoe Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) (Brand and French, 2007). The Proposed Project is consistent with these plans and would not conflict with the existing land use policies. In addition, the Proposed Project would help achieve restoration goals discussed in PAS planning considerations and special policies. Minerals and Energy – No mineral deposits are present in the Project Area; therefore, no impacts would occur. The Proposed Project would require energy during construction and operations but would not use energy in a wasteful manner. Population and Housing – The Project Area does not include any residential areas. The Tahoe Paradise neighborhood is located to the east and south; however, the Proposed Project would not adversely impact housing in this neighborhood. The Proposed Project does not propose to construct any homes or businesses; therefore it would not alter the location, distribution, density, or growth rate of the human population planned for the Region. The Proposed Project would not result in displacement or loss of housing. Public Services - The Proposed Project does not intend to build public service facilities, nor would it create a demand for services that would result in construction of new or altered public services or facilities. Therefore, the Proposed Project would result in no impacts to public services. 3.1.3 Projects Considered for Cumulative Impacts In addition to evaluating the direct and indirect impacts of the Proposed Project, each section also addresses cumulative impacts. Cumulative impacts are defined as direct and indirect effects of the Proposed Project when combined with the effects of other current and future actions, regardless of the proponent. Cumulative effects result from incremental impacts of a project when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions. Cumulative effects can result from individually minor, but collectively significant actions. Projects in the UTR watershed and Lake Tahoe South Shore area that were considered for cumulative impacts are listed in Table 3.1-1. Cumulative effects analysis and determinations are combined in this document for both NEPA and CEQA. Several projects are of particular relevance to the Proposed Project, due to location in the Project Area or direct effects in the UTR channel. Several reasonably foreseeable stream restoration projects in the watershed that would repair, restore, and/or reconstruct portions the UTR channel include (1) the planned Golf Course Reach Restoration Project immediately upstream, (2) the UTR Middle Reach Restoration Project (Reaches 3 and 4) (aka “Airport Reach Project”) immediately downstream (recently constructed but not connected), (3) the planned UTR Middle Reaches 1 and 2 Stream Restoration Project further downstream, (4) the planned Upper Truckee River and Marsh Restoration Project (UTR Marsh Project) at the confluence of the river and Lake Tahoe. These projects would involve increasing overbank flow, reducing the UTR channel capacity, increasing stream sinuosity to mimic natural fluvial processes, and restoring biological habitat. Further upstream, the LTBMU has planned the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) Expansion Project. One possible alignment for a future extension of the Greenway Bike Trail could be located east of the restored channel. 50 ENTRIX, INC. FINAL UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER SUNSET STABLES REACH RESTORATION PROJECT Table 3.1-1 List of Projects in the Upper Truckee River Watershed and the South Shore Area Considered for Cumulative Analysis. Name Description and Status River and Stream Restoration Projects Upper Truckee River Restoration and Description: This CA Department of Parks and Recreation project would occur in the Upper Truckee watershed at the Golf Course Reconfiguration Project Washoe Meadows State Park and Lake Valley State Recreation Area, which are located on the west side of U.S. 50 just south of Sawmill Road in Meyers. Project alternatives include combinations of floodplain and channel restoration, and golf course reconfiguration or modification. Status: An EIR/EIS is currently being prepared for the project. Construction could begin in 2012, and would last for 2 years (with most channel work occurring during one season). Upper Truckee Middle Reaches 3 and 4 Description: This project being implemented by CSLT and USACE with funding from the CTC and Bureau of Reclamation is Restoration Project located along the Upper Truckee River from roughly 0.5 mile northeast of the northern runway limit of the Lake Tahoe Airport (“Airport Reach Project”) to approximately the midpoint of the runway. A new channel was constructed and revegetated in 2008, and in 2010 the river’s flow will be diverted into the new channel, and the abandoned channel will be backfilled and revegetated. Status: New channel construction was initiated in 2008. The project is expected to be completed in 2011, with most in- channel work having occurred in the first season (2008). Upper Truckee River Middle Reaches 1 Description: This project proposed by the CTC and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) would be located and 2 Stream Restoration Project from U.S. 50 upstream to the vicinity of the South Lake Tahoe Airport, and just downstream of the Upper Truckee Middle Reaches 3 and 4 Restoration Project. It would restore this reach by recontouring and revegetating channel banks and filling a gully channel. Status: Environmental review has begun for the project and a Initial Study/ Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), and EA/FONSI are anticipated. Construction could begin in 2011 and would last for 2 years, and in-channel work is anticipated to last for approximately 1 construction season. Upper Truckee River and Marsh Description: This project proposed by the CTC would be located along the most downstream reach of the UTR from U.S. 50 Restoration Project to where the river connects to Lake Tahoe. It would restore this reach by creating an inset floodplain, narrowing and aggrading the channel, or by creating a new channel, depending on the project alternative implemented. The project also includes recreation and access improvements. Status: Schematic plans and preparation of an EIR/EIS/EIS are in progress. Construction could begin within the next five years and would last for 3 years, and in-channel work could last for approximately 2.5 construction seasons. High Meadows Forest Plan Designation; Description: This project by the USFS is located in 1,790 acres in the upper Cold Creek watershed, which is part of the Ecosystem Restoration; and Access Trout Creek watershed. It includes creation of new channels and associated floodplain on the Mainstem, East Fork, and Travel Management Project North Fork of Cold Creek; removal and fill of diversion ditches; removal of lodgepole pines; rerouting and decommissioning of roads and trails, and redesign of stream crossings by roads and trails to reduce effects on aquatic ecosystems. Status: The project NEPA decision was signed in 2009. Construction activities began in 2010 and could continue through 2012. Angora Creek Restoration Project Description: This project proposed by the USFS would restore approximately 3,000 ft of Angora Creek and the associated floodplain just upstream of the Lake Tahoe Blvd crossing.
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