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Home My WebLink About10-2,Executive SummaryAttachment 2 ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Attachment 2 ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This section provides an overview of the project and the environmental analysis. For additional detail regarding specific issues, please consult the appropriate section of the environmental analysis (i.e., Sections 3.1 through 3.3). ES1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT This Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared by the Nevada County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) to analyze the potential environmental effects associated with implementation of the proposed Sphere of Influence Update for the Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD; District) in Nevada, Placer, and Sierra counties, California. This EIR evaluates environmental impacts within the TDPUD service area for both the LAFCo-recommended Sphere of Influence (SOI) and the District -preferred SOL The current TDPUD SOI boundary, which was established in 1983 and updated in 1998, encompasses the Town of Truckee and unincorporated areas of Nevada and Placer counties adjacent to the town. ES2 PROJECT SUMMARY The TDPUD is a multicounty special district that provides water and electric utility services. The District currently serves approximately 12,500 water customers and 13,000 electricity customers. The electricity department owns and operates approximately 133 miles of primary overhead and 82 miles of primary underground electrical distribution circuits. Power is provided through 4 electrical substations and 15 distribution circuits throughout Truckee. The TDPUD provides electricity to residential, commercial, and other uses within the boundaries of the district. The TDPUD water system includes 216 miles of pipeline, 16 active wells, and 33 storage reservoirs. Groundwater comes from the Martis Valley Groundwater Basin. The proposed project consists of the update of the TDPUD's SOL This EIR will review two potential SOI boundary options supporting LAFCo's mandated five-year review of the TDPUD SOI and service plan. The first option is identified as the LAFCo-recommended SOI option, and the second is identified as the District -preferred SOI option. ES3 PROJECT ALTERNATIVES SUMMARY CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6 requires that an EIR describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the project that could feasibly attain the basic objectives of the project and reduce the degree of environmental impact. Section 4.0, Project Alternatives, provides a qualitative analysis of four scenarios: • Alternative 1 - No Project Alternative • Alternative 2 - Combined Sphere of Influence Area • Alternative 3 - Northstar Only • Alternative 4 - Reduced Stampede Reservoir Area Nevada County LAFCo Sphere of Influence Update - Truckee Donner Public Utility District February 2013 Draft Environmental Impact Report ES-1 Attachment 2 ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ES4 AREAS OF CONTROVERSYASSUES TO BE RESOLVED Nevada County LAFCo was identified as the lead agency for the proposed project. In accordance with Section 15082 of the CEQA Guidelines, Nevada County LAFCo prepared and distributed a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of an EIR on June 29, 2012. See Section 1.0, Introduction, for an expanded discussion of the NOP process and project -related comments from interested parties. ES5 SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Table ES-1 displays a summary of project impacts and proposed mitigation measures that would avoid or minimize potential impacts. In the table, the level of significance is indicated both before and after the implementation of each mitigation measure. For detailed discussions of all mitigation measures and policies that would provide mitigation for each type of environmental impact addressed in this Draft EIR, refer to the appropriate environmental topic section (i.e., Sections 3.1 through 3.3). Implementation of the proposed project is anticipated to result in an updated TDPUD Sphere of Influence (either LAFCo-recommended or District -preferred). Neither of the proposed SOI updates (LAFCo-recommended or TDPUD-preferred) would specifically implement or directly result in the construction of any new facilities at this time. Neither Nevada County LAFCo nor the TDPUD has any land use regulatory authority within the Sphere of Influence area. The jurisdiction for land use matters for all of the land areas within the proposed SOI would remain with either Nevada County, Sierra County, Placer County, or the Town of Truckee, and neither Nevada County LAFCo nor the TDPUD has the authority to facilitate future development in a manner different than is currently outlined by these jurisdictions in their applicable general plans. However, the establishment of a new SOI is the first step in a series of actions that could provide water and electrical service to land areas within the Town of Truckee, Placer County, Sierra County and Nevada County that could support growth and development consistent with these agencies' general plans and any development approvals currently in place. CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(b) requires an EIR to discuss unavoidable significant environmental effects, including those that can be mitigated but not reduced to a level of insignificance. Of the potential environmental impacts discussed in the DEIR, three are considered significant and unavoidable. Sphere of Influence Update - Truckee Donner Public Utility District Nevada County LAFCo Draft Environmental Impact Report February 2013 ES-2 Attachment 2 ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TABLE ES-1 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES Level of Impact' ` Significance Mitigation Measure Resulting Level Without of Significance Mitigation Land Use Impact 3.1.1 The LAFCo-recommended and TDPUD- LS (LAFCo- MM 3.1.1 Should Nevada County LAFCo wish to adopt LS preferred update of the Sphere of Influence recommended the TDPUD-preferred Sphere of Influence for for the TDPUD would not conflict with only) electric and water services, the sphere of local agency land use policies or PS (TDPUD- influence plan shall include a policy that regulations. However, the TDPUD- preferred SOI annexations will be approved only when the preferred SOI update (electric and water) electric and land use designation of the subject territory would conflict with Nevada County LAFCo water) indicates development potential that requires policies related to the extent of the SOI the support of water and/or electrical service. boundaries. This impact is potentially significant for the TDPUD-preferred SOI update for both electric and water service. Impact 3.1.2 The proposed update of the Sphere of LCC None required. LCC Influence for the TDPUD would not conflict with local agency land use policies or regulations. The proposed project would also not contribute to any consistency issues associated with applicable land use policies and regulations (except for the project -specific effect identified and addressed under Impact 3.1.1). Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases Impact 3.2.1 The proposed project could result in a net CC None available. SU increase in greenhouse gas emissions and could result in a significant impact on the environment. Impact 3.2.2 Implementation of the proposed project LCC None required. LCC could result in a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions, yet would not conflict with S — Significant CC — Cumulatively Considerable LS — Less Than Significant SU — Significant and Unavoidable NI — No Impact PS — Potentially Significant LCC — Less than Cumulatively Considerable CS — Cumulatively Significant SM — Significant but Mitigatable Sphere of Influence Update — Truckee Donner Public Utility District Draft Environmental Impact Report ES-3 Nevada County LAFCo February 2013 Attachment 2 ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Level of Impact Significance Mitigation Measure Resulting Level Without of Significance Mitigation the goals of AB 32, and thus would not result in a significant impact on the environment. Secondary Environmental Effects of the Project Impact 3.3.1 The proposed update of the Spheres of S None available. SU Influence for the TDPUD would establish land areas eligible for future annexation into the District and the provision of water and electric service. The potential future annexation and service provision by the TDPUD set forth by the establishment of the new SOls could induce growth or a concentration of population that may result in physical environmental impacts. Impact 3.3.2 The proposed project, along with all CC None available. SU existing, approved, proposed, and reasonably foreseeable development in Nevada County, could induce growth or a concentration of population that may result in physical environmental impacts. S — Significant CC — Cumulatively Considerable LS — Less Than Significant SU — Significant and Unavoidable NI — No Impact PS — Potentially Significant LCC — Less than Cumulatively Considerable CS — Cumulatively Significant SM — Significant but Mitigatable Sphere of Influence Update — Truckee Donner Public Utility District Draft Environmental Impact Report ES-4 Nevada County LAFCo February 2013