UC Merced and University Community Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report Volume 3 SCH # 2008041009 November 2008 Prepared for: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District University of California, Merced Prepared by: Impact Sciences, Inc. ICF Jones & Stokes Fehr & Peers U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District University of California TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 1 Section Page Executive Summary ...............................................................................................................................ES1 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................1.01 1.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................1.01 1.2 Overview of the Proposed Action..........................................................................................1.01 1.3 Background and History.........................................................................................................1.02 1.4 Purpose and Need/Objectives of the Proposed Action.......................................................1.02 1.4.1 Purpose........................................................................................................................1.06 1.4.2 Need for a Research University Campus ...............................................................1.06 1.4.3 Need for an Associated and Contiguous Community .........................................1.07 1.4.4 Objectives of the Proposed Campus Project...........................................................1.07 1.4.5 Objective of the Proposed University Community.............................................1.013 1.5 Lead, Cooperating, Responsible, and Trustee Agencies...................................................1.014 1.5.1 Federal Agencies......................................................................................................1.014 1.5.2 State Agencies...........................................................................................................1.015 1.5.3 Regional and Local Agencies .................................................................................1.016 1.6 Agency Coordination and Scoping Process .......................................................................1.019 1.7 Purpose of This EIS/EIR ........................................................................................................1.020 1.8 Issues of Known Controversy/Concern ..............................................................................1.021 1.9 Availability of the Draft EIS/EIR..........................................................................................1.021 2.0 Project Description .................................................................................................................................2.01 2.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................2.01 2.2 Project Location ........................................................................................................................2.02 2.3 Project Site and Surrounding Uses ........................................................................................2.03 2.4 Proposed Action.......................................................................................................................2.07 2.4.1 UC Merced 2009 Long Range Development Plan .................................................2.08 2.4.2 University Community Plan ..................................................................................2.035 2.4.3 Integration of the Campus and University Community ....................................2.049 2.4.4 Campus and Community North Development Phases......................................2.050 2.4.5 Environmental Commitments included in the Proposed Project .....................2.054 3.0 Alternatives .............................................................................................................................................3.01 4.0 Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ..............................................................4.01 4.1 Aesthetics ..................................................................................................................................4.11 4.1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................4.11 4.1.2 Affected Environment...............................................................................................4.11 4.1.3 Applicable Laws, Regulations, Plans, and Policies .............................................4.110 4.1.4 Significance Criteria for Evaluating Effects..........................................................4.116 4.1.5 Methodology for Evaluating Effects .....................................................................4.116 4.1.6 Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action and Alternatives ..............4.117 4.1.7 Summary Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................4.131 4.1.8 References .................................................................................................................4.131 Impact Sciences, Inc. i UC Merced and University Community Project Draft EIS/EIR 0974.001 October 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) VOLUME 1 (continued) Section Page 4.2 Agricultural Resources............................................................................................................4.21 4.2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................4.21 4.2.2 Affected Environment...............................................................................................4.21 4.2.3 Applicable Laws, Regulations, Plans, and Policies .............................................4.211 4.2.4 Significance Criteria for Evaluating Effects..........................................................4.221 4.2.5 Methodology for Evaluating Effects .....................................................................4.222 4.2.6 Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action and Alternatives ..............4.224 4.2.7 Summary Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................4.242 4.2.8 References .................................................................................................................4.243 4.3 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................4.31 4.3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................4.31 4.3.2 Affected Environment...............................................................................................4.32 4.3.3 Applicable Laws, Regulations, and Policies.........................................................4.311 4.3.4 Significance Criteria for Evaluating effects ..........................................................4.330 4.3.5 Methodology for Evaluating Effects .....................................................................4.333 4.3.6 Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action and Alternatives ..............4.334 4.3.7 Summary Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................4.365 4.3.8 References .................................................................................................................4.366 4.4 Biological Resources ................................................................................................................4.41 4.4.1 Introduction................................................................................................................4.41 4.4.2 Affected Environment...............................................................................................4.45 4.4.3 Applicable Laws, Regulations, and Policies.........................................................4.465 4.4.4 Significance Criteria for Evaluating Effects..........................................................4.491 4.4.5 Methodology for Evaluating Effects .....................................................................4.493 4.4.6 Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action and Alternatives ..............4.497 4.4.7 Comparison of Alternatives .................................................................................4.3161 4.4.8 References ...............................................................................................................4.4164 4.5 Cultural Resources...................................................................................................................4.51 4.5.1 Introduction................................................................................................................4.51 4.5.2 Affected Environment...............................................................................................4.51 4.5.3 Applicable Laws, Regulations, Plans, and Policies ...............................................4.58 4.5.4 Significance Criteria for Evaluating Effects..........................................................4.513 4.5.5 Methodology for Evaluating Effects .....................................................................4.514