SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION

Transcription

1 SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION

2 SECTION 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 INTRODUCTION This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to support an application from the Lytton Rancheria of California (hereafter, Tribe ) for land to be placed into federal trust (Proposed Action). The BIA is the federal agency that is charged with reviewing and approving tribal applications to take land into federal trust status. This land, known as the Lytton Property, consists of approximately 92 acres in Sonoma County, California, which is intended to be used for residential housing, a community center, and associated facilities by the Tribe. The BIA will use this EA to determine if the Proposed Action would result in adverse effects to the environment. This document has been completed in accordance with the requirements set out in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C et seq.); the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Guidelines for Implementing NEPA; and the BIA s NEPA handbook (59 IAM 3-H). This document provides a detailed description of the Proposed Action and an analysis of the potential environmental consequences associated with the development of this project. This document also includes a discussion of alternatives, impact avoidance, and mitigation measures. Consistent with the requirements of NEPA, the BIA will review and analyze the environmental consequences associated with the Proposed Action, and either determine that a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is appropriate, or request that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared. 1.2 LOCATION AND SETTING The proposed trust parcels addressed in this EA are located approximately two miles west of Highway 101 near the Town of Windsor, California, one mile east of the Russian River, and approximately ten miles north of the City of Santa Rosa. The project site is within the Healdsburg and Environs sub-county Planning Area of Sonoma County and occurs in Section 14, 15, and unsectioned areas of Molinos, Township 8 North, Range 9 West, on the Healdsburg, California U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-Minute Topographic Quadrangle. Figure 1-1 shows the regional vicinity and Figure 1-2 shows the project site vicinity and location. Figure 1-3 shows an aerial photograph of the entire project site, which consists of seven separate parcels totaling approximately 92 acres, all owned in fee by the Tribe. Analytical Environmental Services 1-1 Lytton Residential Development Environmental Assessment

3 SCALE NORTH 0 3mi 6mi Project Site Sonoma County PROJECT SITE SOURCE: Microsoft Street & Trips, 2004; AES, 2009 Lytton Residential Development EA / Figure 1-1 Regional Location

4 Grapevine Ln Los Amigos Rd RUSSIAN RIVER Arata Ln Fontana Rd Rockstrech Rd Herb Rd Gumview Rd Starr View Dr Erika Dr Rio Ruso Dr 101 Ashley Dr Old Redwood Hwy Windsor River Rd Eastside Rd Starr Rd Windsor Rd Richardson Rd Kloer Rd Reiman Ln LEGEND Russian River Gravel Company Rd Property Boundary Cooper Way Oak Way Windsor Sphere of Influence Windsor Urban Growth Jones Rd Windsor City Limits Feet ,980 SOURCE: "Healdsburg, CA USGS 7.5 Topographic Quadrangle, Sections 14, 15, and unsectioned areas of Molinos, T8N, R9W, Mt. Diablo Baseline & Merdian; Sonoma County GIS Data, 2/9/2007; AES 2009 Lytton Residential Development EA / Figure 1-2 Site and Vicinity

5 (2.45 Acres) Windsor River Rd (5.0 Acres) (12.51 Acres) Eastside Rd (50.47 Acres) (0.002 Acres) (11.96 Acres) (9.27 Acres) SCALE Feet SOURCE: DigitalGlobe Aerial Photograph, 9/20/2003; AES 2009 Lytton Residential Development EA / Figure 1-3 Aerial Parcel Map

6 1.0 Introduction The seven parcels are identified by the following Assessor Parcel Numbers (s): (5.0 acres) (50.47 acres) (12.51 acres) (9.27 acres) (0.002 acres) (2.45 acres) (11.96 acres) The site is located approximately 150 feet south of the Windsor city limits (Figure 1-2). s , , and are located within the Town of Windsor s Sphere of Influence, Urban Growth Boundary, and Special Planning Area E. Regional access is provided by Highway 101, which runs in a general north-south direction and is located approximately two miles to the east of the project site. Local access to the Proposed Project site from Highway 101 is provided by the Old Redwood Highway/Windsor River Road exit, which to the east of Highway 101 is a two-lane road that runs adjacent to the north side of the project site. The only other roadway in the immediate vicinity is Eastside Road, which runs perpendicular to Windsor River Road and is west of the project site (Figure 1-3). An unpaved road is located between s and , which leads to agricultural fields to the south of the project site. Six single-family homes are located within the project site s boundaries. Two homes are located on Each of the following four parcels contains one home: s , , and Surrounding land uses include private residential, agricultural, and undeveloped parcels. The majority of the project site is undeveloped and uncultivated over a gently rolling terrain, comprised of five vegetation community types: mixed oak woodland, annual grassland, oak savannah, mixed riparian, and pasture. Access to all residences is from Windsor River Road. The topography of the site ranges in elevations of 100 to 200 feet above mean sea level. 1.3 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION The Tribe s purpose for taking the 92 acres of land into trust is for the development of a residential community, a community center, and associated Tribal facilities. The Lytton Tribe consists of approximately 270 Tribal members, governed by a council of five members. Tribal members are currently dispersed throughout the County and State and do not have an identifiable community of their own. The proposed acquisition would bring together Tribal members into a community by providing adequate housing and associated facilities to improve the quality of life of the Tribal members. Acceptance of the subject parcels into federal trust would assist the Tribe Analytical Environmental Services 1-5 Lytton Residential Development Environmental Assessment

7 1.0 Introduction in meeting a long-term, viable, and sustainable solution to the Tribe s lack of a tribal land base and provide a place to congregate for governmental, cultural, and social purposes. 1.4 OVERVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS The BIA and the Tribe will use the EA to determine whether the Proposed Action will result in adverse effects on the environment and whether a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or an Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared, pursuant to NEPA and the BIA s NEPA Handbook (59 IAM 3-H). The EA is first released for a 30-day comment period. Comments will be considered by the BIA, and either a FONSI will be prepared, or additional environmental analysis will be conducted. After the NEPA process is complete, the BIA may issue a determination on the Tribe s fee-totrust application. 1.5 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED In accordance with NEPA, and based on a review of the 92-acre project site, the following environmental issue areas are evaluated in this EA: Land Resources; Water Resources; Air Quality; Biological Resources; Cultural Resources; Socioeconomic Conditions/Environmental Justice; Transportation and Circulation; Land Use; Public Services; Noise; Hazardous Materials; and Visual Resources. 1.6 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND APPROVALS The following direct and indirect approvals and actions may occur as a result of the Proposed Action: Transfer of the 92-acre site into Federal trust status for the Tribe by the Secretary of the Interior. Compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit for Storm Water Discharges Associated with Construction Activity. Analytical Environmental Services 1-6 Lytton Residential Development Environmental Assessment

8 1.0 Introduction NPDES permit for discharge of treated effluent into waters of the U.S., if Alternative B is chosen. Consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under Section 7 of the Federal Endangered Species Act (FESA), if endangered species may be impacted by the Proposed Action. Consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), if historic properties may be impacted by the project. Encroachment permit for construction of offsite water and wastewater infrastructure and associated pipeline, if Alternative A is chosen. Analytical Environmental Services 1-7 Lytton Residential Development Environmental Assessment