HomeMy Public PortalAboutPublic Comment #036 (Benites)1
Laura Dabe
From:Denyelle Nishimori
Sent:Wednesday, November 19, 2014 1:41 PM
To:Terri McCracken (tmccracken@placeworks.com)
Cc:Laura Dabe
Subject:Canyon Springs RDEIR Public Comment #36
From: Nedra Benites [mailto:nedlines@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 11:22 PM
To: Denyelle Nishimori
Subject: Canyon Springs
November 18, 2014
To: Denyelle Nishimori, Senior Planner
10183 Truckee Airport Rd.
Truckee, CA 96161
Dear Ms. Denyelle Nishimori,
We wish to express just a few of our concerns about the proposed Canyon Springs development as described in
the RDEIR for this project.
The RDEIR mentions “The removal of approximately 27.92 acres of Jeffrey Pine community and
approximately 7.25 acres of sagebrush community, including removal of approximately 26 snags, could result
in disturbance of active nests. The impact would be significant” (pg 4.4-42). The RDEIR needs to provide an
alternative which will preserve these habitats for nesting species and consequently all other species, such as
plant life requiring their seed dispersal, species which use them and their eggs as food sources etc. Impacts on
the ecosystem would be devastating when there are no longer predatory birds and bats keeping rodent and insect
populations in balance. This need for biodiversity is a goal of the Truckee General Plan so the RDEIR needs to
come up with another proposal that would insure that habitats are preserved.
The RDEIR also states that many sensitive and declining species such as Sierra Red Fox and Yellow Legged
Frog may be affected and that surveys will be conducted prior to construction. Please explain how this is
adequate mitigation and would provide protection for these species if the project is already going forward.
There needs to be a new draft that will include all biological surveys for these “species identified as sensitive,
rare, declining, unique or representing valuable biological resources,”(pg 4,4-6) before a project can begin.
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This draft also discounts the importance of the Loyalton-Truckee deer herd and the the need to create a better
plan to protect the declining Sierra populations. This directly conflicts with the General Plan Goal COS-5 and
contradicts the evidence cited by the CDFW, NDOW and multiple residents with photo documentation that this
herd heavily uses and depends upon this area.
Canyon Springs development could have a catastrophic impact on the wetlands and consequently the
watersheds in this area. Because the EIR biologist from LSA conducted the newest filed study of the proposed
site over a year ago in a very dry season, the field survey will not adequately assess impact to resources. A new
study needs to be made in the spring and summer months. And, if the Glenshire area continues to experience
drought conditions for several years to come, what will be the impact from eventual heavy runoff in future wet
years when soil has been disturbed and there has been little water to create proper re-vegetation? This project
violates the Clean Water Act, section 404 by stating that the project site includes 5.94 acres of wetlands, and is
proposing fill to be placed in wetlands for the project implementation with 54 square feet of disturbance to
wetlands,(Pg4.4-4142). The DEIR needs to provide mitigation to prevent disruption of the wetlands and
watershed areas at the site that flows to the Glenshire Pond and into the Truckee River. Water quality has
already been impacted by the Elkhorn Ridge development. What will happen to drinking water quality and
quantity if the current drought continues beyond the years this project takes to complete?
Please explain how the projected 1,758 vehicle trips at build out will be mitigated as this is over the Town's trip
generation threshold. Please explain how there will be less vehicle trips when there is more development and 20
years of construction using the same road. Table 2.14-7 numbers seem completely wrong, showing less traffic
in 2031 than in 2011. These calculations do not make sense. Please correct these traffic impact numbers. How
will there be mitigation for the RDEIR statement that the project will create an unacceptable Level of Service
with 5.6 hours of vehicle delay which exceeds the threshold?
The RDEIR states that “Project will result in an increase of traffic levels that result in substantial safety risks”.
This needs to be addressed, and alternatives presented for emergency access and secondary access routes that
will not impact existing quiet neighborhood streets or sensitive habitat and wetland areas. Since there is an
identified unacceptable LOS at the Glenshire & Donner Pass intersection already the EIR needs to analyze the
impacts of further congestion to this area with the increased traffic to and from the project site.
The Canyon Springs project applicant must be required to submit a “Climate Program Plan” like other projects
are required to do in the Town of Truckee for Air Quality.
I appreciate the opportunity to voice the comments and concerns I have for the Town of Truckee. As a full time
resident of Glenshire for 30 years, I have seen the devastating effects that sprawling over development can have
on a beautiful small town environment. We hope we will be able to do everything possible to provide careful
protection for our fragile ecosystem, of which we are an integral part, and which we call home. Please contact
me if there is any help we can provide or questions we can answer. Please have this letter entered into the record
for the project. Thank you.
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Sincerely, Nedra Benites
Nedra Benites
Robin Robb
15785 Windsor Way
Truckee, CA. 96161
(530) 562-7237
nedlines@hotmail.com