HomeMy Public PortalAboutPublic Comment #9 (Lahontan)EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
GOVERNOR
SECRETARY FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
OALIFORN e• MATTHEW RODRIOUEZ
Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board
October 23, 2013
Denyelle Nishimori, Senior Planner
Town of Truckee Community Development Department
10183 Truckee Airport Road
Truckee, CA 96161
COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE
JOERGER RANCH SPECIFIC PLAN (SCH# 2012052073), TOWN OF TRUCKEE,
NEVADA COUNTY
The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) staff received a
copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the above-referenced project
on September 13, 2013. The Joerger Ranch Specific Plan (Project) is intended to
establish zoning, design standards, and site planning to allow for Project development
consistent with the Town of Truckee General Plan. The Project will be located along
State Route 267, at the southern boundary of the Town of Truckee on mostly
undeveloped land. We have reviewed the DEIR as a responsible agency pursuant to
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and our comments follow.
General Comments:
The numbering in Section 3.2 (pg. 3.2-7) appears incorrect. The Section numbered
3.4.2 discussing the "Regulatory Setting" should be numbered 3.2.2. Impact 3.4-5
(pg. 3.2-20) concerning effects on wetlands also reflects this error and should be
numbered 3.2-5, not 3.4-5 (Page 3.2-20). We refer to this Impact below.
As a general comment, numbering in the DEIR is difficult to follow. The mitigation
measures do not follow numbering associated with the numbered impact they are
addressing, but are consecutively numbered throughout the section. This is quite
confusing and makes the evaluation of mitigation measures for a given impact much
more difficult than necessary. It is unclear which mitigation measure is associated with
which impact by the numbers alone. Two different mitigation measures are identified as
3.6-1 (pg. 3.6-15 and 3.6-17).
PETER C. PUMPHREY, CHAIR I PATTY Z. KOUYOUMDJIAN, EXECUTIVE OFFICER
2501 Lake Tahoe Blvd., So. Lake Tahoe, CA 96150 I www.waterboards.ca.gov/lahontan
Water Boards
0 RECYCLED PAPER
Denyelle Nishimori - 2
Town of Truckee
Specific Comments:
1. Section 3.2, Biological Resources 3.2.3; states, "The proposed project has the
potential to have direct or indirect effects on wetlands (Less than Significant with
Mitigation)" — Page 3.2-20. This Section of the DEIR does not identify or discuss the
specific mitigation measures suggested to reduce the impact resulting from the
removal (fill) of an ephemeral stream. We suggest the impact is potentially
significant, with potential to violate the waste discharge prohibition cited on
pg. 3.7-12. There will need to be verification by the Water Board in regard to the
ephemeral stream and whether it is indeed isolated, or connected to the Truckee
River or any tributary thereof. Prohibitions exist in the Water Quality Control Plan for
the Lahontan Region (Basin Plan) that apply to discharges in the 100-year floodplain
of the Truckee River and its tributaries. Exemptions to the Basin Plan prohibitions
can be allowed in certain circumstances (see Basin Plan pg.5.7-7), and when
acceptable mitigation is provided for the impacts to the 100-year floodplain. The
DEIR states that the development as it is currently proposed would require the
removal of this ephemeral stream which is generally not allowed for Projects of this
type. It is noted in the DEIR that the Town of Truckee would provide details on how
compensation for wetland loss would occur, with ultimate approval by the Army
Corps of Engineers and the Water Board. Subsequent environmental assessments
of the proposed development will require site-specific detail regarding mitigation for
the loss of wetland and/or 100-year floodplain.
2. Section 3.7 (pg. 3.7-14) refers to the NPDES Phase II Small Municipal Separate
Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s). The former permit has been superseded by a new
version made effective on July 1, 2013 (Order No. 2013-0001-DWQ;
http://www.swrcb.ca.ciov/water issues/procrams/stormwater/phase ii municipal.sht
ml). The Storm Water Management Plan discussed in various locations in the DEIR
is no longer a component in the new MS4 permit, having been superseded by a
Guidance Document. The Guidance Document and additional requirements in the
revised MS4 permit are expected to be addressed in future reports, and this should
be reflected in the DEIR.
If you have any questions regarding our comments, please contact Dale Payne,
Environmental Scientist, at (530) 542-5464, or me at (530) 542-5430.
Alan Miller, P.E.
Chief, North Basin Regulatory Unit
DYP/adw/T: Joerger Ranch Draft EIR Comments.docx
File Under: Pending / Nevada County / Town of Truckee /Joerger Ranch Specific Plan