SU0008578 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

5.ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEIGHBORHOODS K AND L INITIAL STUDY 3.AIR QUALITY AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS qualitative factors that may be used in determination of impact significance, including: 1. The extent to which the project may increase or reduce GHG emissions as compared to the existing environmental setting; 2. Whether the GHG emissions exceed a threshold of significance that the lead agency determines applies to the project; and 3. The extent to which the project complies with regulations or requirements adopted to implement a statewide, regional,or local plan for the reduction or mitigation of GHG emissions. The amendments include a new subdivision (15064.7[c])to clarify that in developing thresholds of significance, a lead agency may appropriately review thresholds developed by other public agencies, including CARB's recommended CEQA thresholds, or suggested by other experts, so long as any threshold chosen is supported by substantial evidence. In addition,the adopted amendments add a new set of environmental checklist questions(VII. Greenhouse Gas Emissions)to CEQA Guidelines Appendix G. The new set includes the following two questions: a. Would the project generate GHG emissions,either directly or indirectly,that may have a significant impact on the environment? b. Would the project conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the emissions of GHG? Local Regulations The SJVAPCD have adopted published guidance on how to analyze GHG emissions, including the Final Staff Report.Addressing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impacts under the California Environmental Quality Act(SJVAPCD, 2009a)and Guidance for Valley Land-Use Agencies in Addressing GHG Emission Impacts for New Projects under CEQA(SJVAPCD,2009b). SJVAPCD guidance relies on the use of performance-based standards, otherwise known as Best Performance Standards(BPS),for assessing the significance of GHG emissions under CEQA. Significant Impacts Identified in 1994 MEIR The 1994 MEIR identified the following impacts with respect to air quality: 1) The project would increase regional emissions of criteria pollutants through new vehicle travel and new area-source emissions would have a significant and unavoidable adverse impact on air quality within the San Joaquin Valley Air Basin and adjacent San Francisco Bay Air Basin. 2) The project would cause a potentially significant increase in the potential for nuisance complaints due to adjacent agricultural activities. 3) The project would cause a less-than-significant increase in the potential for odor-related land use conflicts. (917111) 5-36