4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING, IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES 4.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND ASSUMPTIONS USED The following is an introduction to the environmental analysis project-specific and cumulative impacts and general assumptions used in the analysis. The reader is referred to the individual technical sections of the Draft EIR regarding specific assumptions and methodology used in the analysis. ANALYSIS ASSUMPTIONS GENERALLY USED TO EVALUATE THE IMPACTS OF THE MARTIS VALLEY COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE TREATMENT OF THE THREE LAND USE MAP SCENARIOS As described in Section 3.0 (Project Description) the proposed Martis Valley Community Plan Update consists of a Proposed Land Use Diagram (PP) and 3 land use map alternatives (see Figures 3.0-5 through 3.0-8) to go with the policy document and are specifically identified below: • Existing Martis Valley General Plan Land Use Map (noted as “AA” throughout the EIR) • Alternative 1 Land Use Map (noted as “AB” throughout the EIR) • Alternative 2 Land Use Map (noted as “AC” throughout the EIR) The environmental effects of the Proposed Land Use Diagram and these three land use map alternatives are analyzed at an equal level of detail throughout the EIR, with a summary comparison of the environmental effects of each provided in Section 6.0 (Alternatives). Separate impact statements and analyses are provided for each land use map option under each environmental issue area. The following is an example of the format of the impact statements: Impact 4.7.1 Construction Water Quality Impacts PP Slope and soil disturbance associated with construction activities for the Proposed Land Use Diagram could cause accelerated soil erosion and sedimentation or the release of other pollutants to adjacent waterways. This would be a significant impact. AA Slope and soil disturbance associated with construction activities for the Existing Martis Valley General Plan Land Use Map could cause accelerated soil erosion and sedimentation or the release of other pollutants to adjacent waterways. This would be a significant impact. AB Implementation of the Alternative 1 Land Use Map would result in the same project design as the Existing Martis Valley General Plan Land Use Map and would involve on-site construction activities. This alternative would have the same impacts as Alternative AA on accelerated soil erosion and sedimentation, as well as the release of other pollutants to adjacent waterways. This would be a significant impact. AC Implementation of the Alternative 2 Land Use Map would result in a similar project design as Alternative AA. This alternative would have the similar impacts as Alternative AA on accelerated soil erosion and sedimentation, as well as the release of other pollutants to adjacent waterways as a result of onsite construction. This would be a significant impact. (analysis of impacts) PP Proposed Land Use Diagram Construction would consist of substantial grading and vegetation removal. Placer County Martis Valley Community Plan Update May 2002 Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.0-1 4.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND ASSUMPTIONS USED AA Existing Martis Valley General Plan Land Use Map Construction would consist of substantial grading and vegetation removal. AB Alternative 1 Land Use Map The Alternative 1 Land Use Map would have nearly the same amount of required infrastructure as the Existing Martis Valley General Plan Land Use Map….. AC Alternative 2 Land Use Map The Alternative 2 Land Use Map would have….. This approach will allow the County to choose among the three land use maps without resulting in the need for additional environmental review. BUILDOUT ASSUMPTIONS Tables 3.0-2 through 3.0-5 identify land use acreages and estimated number of residential dwelling units to occur under each of the land use map options. The environmental analysis provided in the Draft EIR generally assumes that 20 percent of the residential units identified in Tables 3.0-2 through 3.0-5 would be permanent residents, while the remaining 80 percent would be second/vacation homes. This assumption is based on resort/tourist nature of the region and demographic data obtained from available Census data (complete 2000 Census data was not available at the time of preparation of this EIR), consultation with local agencies (Placer County, Town of Truckee) and other available sources. GENERAL LAND DISTURBANCE ASSUMPTIONS FOR THE THREE LAND USE MAP SCENARIOS Figures 3.0-5 through 3.0-8 identify areas anticipated to be developed that would be disturbed as a result of implementation of the Martis Valley Community Plan Update. Anticipated impacts to vegetation communities in the Plan area under the Proposed Land Use Diagram and the 3 land use map alternatives is identified in Section 4.9 (Biological Resources). The analysis also takes into account proposed (under application) and conceptual golf courses within the Plan area in areas designated as Open Space or Forest. These specific areas include the proposed Hopkins Ranch project with an 18-hole golf course (see map section 24 [DMB/Highlands Group, LLC] of Figure 3.0-2), the proposed Eaglewood project with an 18-hole golf course (see map section 23 [Martis Valley Associates LLC] of Figure 3.0-2), conceptual consideration of an 18-hole golf course at Waddle Ranch (see map sections 20 and 21 [Waddle Ranch LLC] of Figure 3.0-2), and conceptual consideration of an 18-hole and 9-hole golf courses at Siller Ranch (see map sections 26, 31, 35, and 36 [DMB/Highlands Group, LLC] of Figure 3.0-2). The proposed pattern of development illustrated in Figures 3.0-5 through 3.0-8 is the basis to evaluate project-specific and cumulative environmental effects of the proposed Martis Valley Community Plan Update in relation to all potential foreseeable development in the Plan area that could occur directly or indirectly from adoption of the Community Plan. In addition to the above, the analysis takes into account concept plans for development and/or the expansion of existing developed areas that have been presented to the public (e.g., “Completing the Vision at Northstar” see Figures 4.0-1 and 4.0-2); roadway and trail extensions under consideration as part of the Community Plan; and land ownership (e.g., private versus public ownership [U.S. Forest Service]). Martis Valley Community Plan Update Placer County Draft Environmental Impact Report May 2002 4.0-2 FIGURE 4.0-1 NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE COMPLETING THE VISION OVERVIEW MAP FIGURE 4.0-2 NORTHSTAR-AT-TAHOE COMPLETING THE VISION CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT MAP 4.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND ASSUMPTIONS USED While Figures 3.0-5 through 3.0-8 identify land areas anticipated to experience substantial disturbance, land disturbance activities (e.g., rural residential development and timber production) in the remaining areas designated “Forest” would also occur. It should be noted that this information was generated to assist in qualitatively assessing overall environmental impacts to the Plan area and is not considered an exact description of future land disturbance in the Plan area. The exact extent of land area disturbance will be further defined as subsequent development projects are proposed. GENERAL ASSUMPTIONS UTILIZED FOR EVALUATING CONSTRUCTION, PHASING AND OPERATIONAL IMPACTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARTIS VALLEY COMMUNITY PLAN The environmental analysis in this Draft EIR does consider environmental effects associated with construction and operation of proposed land uses in the Plan area. The extent and rate of development of the Plan area is currently unknown, and no phasing plan of development is proposed as part of the Martis Valley Community Plan Update. It is anticipated that the rate of development will be driven by market conditions. However, it is generally assumed that the first “phase” of development would likely consist of projects currently being processed by the County. These projects include Eaglewood, Hopkins Ranch, Martis Creek Estates, Village-at- Northstar, Coyote Run, Northstar-at-Tahoe Employee Housing, Northstar-at-Tahoe Unit 7A, and Schaeffer’s Camp Restaurant. APPROACH TO THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT ANALYSIS CEQA Guidelines Section 15130 requires that EIRs include an analysis of the cumulative impacts of a project when the project’s effect is considered cumulatively considerable. In general, the cumulative analysis provided in this Draft EIR is based on the existing land use plans provided by Placer County (via the Placer County General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance), the Town of Truckee (Town of Truckee General Plan and Zoning Ordinance), Nevada County (Nevada County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance), and the U.S Forest Service (Sierra Nevada Framework for Conservation and Collaboration), as well as by consideration of large-scale proposed and approved development projects listed in Table 3.0-1. Each technical section of the Draft EIR includes a description and analysis of the cumulative setting and potential environmental cumulative impacts specific to the environmental issue area (e.g. traffic, biological resources, air quality) that the proposed Martis Valley Community Plan Update would contribute to. Section 5.0 (Cumulative Impacts Summary) provides a summary of the cumulative impacts associated with the project. TERMINOLOGY USED IN THE DRAFT EIR This Draft EIR uses the following terminology to describe environmental effects of the proposed project: AA: Existing Martis Valley General Plan Land Use Map Alternative. AB: Alternative 1 Land Use Map. AC: Alternative 2 Land Use Map. Cumulative Significant Impact: A cumulative significant impact would result in a new substantial change in the environment from effects of the project when evaluated in the context of cumulative conditions in the surrounding area. Placer County Martis Valley Community Plan Update May 2002 Draft Environmental Impact Report 4.0-7 4.0 INTRODUCTION TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND ASSUMPTIONS USED Less Than Significant Impact: A less than significant impact would cause no substantial change in the environmental (no mitigation required).