HomeMy Public PortalAboutCanyon Springs EIR Scoping - 32.pdfState ofCalifornia -The Natural Resources Agency EDMUND G.BROWN.Jr.Governor
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME JOHNMcCAMMAN,Director
1701 Nimbus Road,Suite A
Rancho Cordova,CA 95670
(916)358-2900
http://www.dfg.ca.gov
May 23,2011
Denyelle Nishimori
Associate Planner
Truckee Community Development Department
10183 Truckee Airport Road
Truckee,CA 96161
FAX (530)582-7710
Dear Ms.Nishimori:
The Department of Fish and Game (Department)has reviewed the Notice of Preparation
of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)for the Canyon Springs Subdivision
(project).The project proposes subdivision of about 284 acres into 185 residential lots,
including about 175 acres of open space.
The EIR should describe all the fish and wildlife resources that may occur in and around
the project site.This description should include the extent,location and types of habitat,
concentration areas,un-fragmented blocks of habitat,and wildlife movement corridors.
The EIR should describe the project's direct and indirect impacts to these habitats and to
specific fish and wildlife resources and provide the specific measures to be implemented to
fully mitigate the impacts.Of particular concern to the Department on this project site are
impacts to habitat and movement corridors for the Verdi subunit of the Loyalton-Truckee
deer herd.Habitat impacts resulting from residential development and recreational use
are currently the biggest concern for the future of this deer herd.
We recommend the document address in detail the project's impact upon significant
habitat such as wetlands,vernal pools and riparian areas.The project should be
designed so that impacts to wetlands are avoided.We recommend that permanent
wetlands should be protected by no less than 100-foot setback buffer areas,and that
intermittent streams and swales protected by no less than a 50-foot non-building setback
buffer.Buffers should extend around riparian habitats,and areas within them protected
from dumping or habitat alteration through covenants,codes and restrictions.Mitigation
should be provided for unavoidable impacts based upon the concept of no-net-loss of
wetland habitat values or acreage.
In addition,the document should address the project's impact to special status
species including species which are State and federal listed as threatened and
endangered;the project's growth inducing and cumulative impacts upon fish,
wildlife,water quality and vegetativeresources;and provide an analysis of specific
alternatives which reduce impacts to fish,wildlife,water quality and vegetative
resources.
Conserving California's Wildlife Since 1870
Ms.Nishimori 2 May 23,2011
The Department recommends that the document analyze the project's potential to
contribute to negative wildlife/human interactions such as vehicle collisions,
nuisance wildlife complaints,and depredation.The EIR should provide the means
to minimizing such impacts through changes in project design or other means
such as the use of covenant's codes and restrictions to ensure use of bear-proof
trash receptacles.
Also,the document should consider and analyze whether implementation of the proposed
project will result in reasonably foreseeable,potentiallysignificant impacts subject to
regulation by the DFG under Section 1600 et seq.of the Fish and Game Code.In general,
such impacts result whenever a proposed project involves work undertaken in or near a
river,stream,or lake that flows at least intermittently through a bed or channel,including
ephemeral streams and water courses.Impacts triggering regulation by the DFG under
these provisions of theFish and Game Code typically result from activities that impact the
bed,bank or channel of a lake or stream.
This project will have an impact to fish and/or wildlife habitat.Assessment of fees under
Public Resources Code Section 21089 and as defined by Fish and Game Code Section
711.4 is necessary.Fees are payable by the project applicant upon filing of theNotice of
Determination by the lead agency.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Sections 21092 and 21092.2,the DFG requests
written notification of proposed actions and pending decisions regarding this project.
Written notifications should be directed to this office.
Thank you for the opportunity to review thisproject.If the DFG can be of further
assistance please contact Ms.Julie Newman,Staff Environmental Scientist at (530)
283-6866.
Sincerely,
j Ma
Jeff Drongesen
Environmental Program Manager
ec:Sara Holm
Kevin Thomas
Julie Newman