Environmental Review Process

On September 3, 2003, Commission staff issued an Initial Study, which analyzed the foreseeable consequences of the project. The Initial Study concluded that, although no direct significant environmental impact would result from the sale of the lots, the reasonable foreseeable future development of urban land uses, consistent with existing zoning and adjacent land uses, could result in significant environmental impacts to air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, public health, public safety, hydrology and water quality, noise, transportation and traffic, and utilities and service system. Based on the assessment presented in the Initial Study, the Commission prepared the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to further analyze these potential impacts.

The Commission issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to prepare an EIR on September 2, 2003 and distributed it to the State Clearinghouse (SCH No. 2003091003) and federal, State, local trustees and agencies, organizations and individuals on the service list. The NOP was noticed in the LA Times on September 2 and 11, 2003, in the Daily Breeze on September 4 and 9, 2003, and in the Argonaut on September 4 and 11, 2003. Six letters were received from public agencies and local residents during the NOP scoping period.