2. Community Safety

One of the strategies of the Forest Plan is to improve public safety. As noted above, because it would be more difficult to fight a fire aggressively both from the ground and air, the potential for a larger fire would be greater while the transmission line is energized. A wildfire in the area of the proposed project could expand into Green Valley and Bouquet Canyon where cabins, homes, and other facilities are located, risking community safety.

While this would be a significant impact, implementation of Mitigation Measures F-2, F-3, F-6, and F-8a (see, page A-18 of Attachment A) would reduce this potential impact, but the impact would remain significant (Class I).

C. Land Use and Public Recreation

The Final EIR/EIS reports that the proposed project could have certain unmitigable significant impacts on land use and public recreation. The Final EIR/EIS, at pages C.9-1 through C.9 -69, provides a discussion of the potential effects the proposed project and alternatives could have on existing and proposed land uses in addition to sensitive land uses that have the potential to be affected by the proposed project and alternatives.

Sensitive land uses include the following land use types: residences, schools, hospitals, daycare centers, retirement homes, and cemeteries. Recreational resources are also defined as sensitive land uses, as they are susceptible to disturbances (e.g., noise, traffic, dust, etc.) that could decrease or eliminate the value of the recreational experience. In general, recreational facilities (including parks, open space, playgrounds, play fields, etc.), recreational activities (bicycling, hiking, boating, etc.), and recreationists are considered to be sensitive receptors.

The extent of the area to be analyzed for land use impacts is considered the Land Use Study Area. While other issue areas in this EIR/EIS may identify a Study Area within a specific radius, the Land Use Study Area has been defined by the following:

· Land and recreation uses immediately adjacent to the proposed project and alternative ROWs;

· Land and recreation uses located near the construction equipment/materials transportation routes;

· Land and recreation uses affected by proposed project and alternative construction and operation activities; and

· Land and recreation uses that have national, regional, or local significance and are within one mile of the proposed and alternative transmission line routes.