COMPLIANCE INFO_FINAL INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION 5/25

Home Browse Search

North County Recycling Center and Sanitary Landfill Permit Revision Project Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration · San Joaquin County | May 2025 65 4.2.18 Tribal Cultural Resources Would the project: Potentially Significant Impact Less-than- Significant Impact with Mitigation Incorporated Less- than- Significant Impact No Impact a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a tribal cultural resource, defined in Public Resources Code section 21074 as either a site, feature, place, cultural landscape that is geographically defined in terms of size and scope of the landscape, sacred place, or object with cultural value to a California Native American tribe, and that is: i) Listed or eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, or in a local register of historical resources as defined in Public Resources Code section 5020.1(k)? ii) A resource determined by the lead agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant pursuant to criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code section 5024.1? In applying the criteria set forth in subdivision (c) of Public Resources Code section 5024.1, the lead agency shall consider the significance of the resource to a California Native American tribe. ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING The area of potential effect (APE) of the project would be limited to the North County Landfill, a waste disposal facility which has been previously disturbed, and no construction activities are proposed. However, it remains possible that future ground disturbing activities on the project site may uncover tribal cultural resources. On January 9, 2025, the County consulted Native American tribes who may have knowledge of cultural resources in the project area. Notification letters were issued to the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, Calaveras Baned of Mi-Wuk Indians, Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation, Ione Band of Miwok Indians, Jackson Rancheria Band of Miwuk Indians, Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the SF Bay Area, Nashville Enterprise Miwok-Maidu-Nishinam Tribe, Northern Balley Yokut/Ohlone Tribe, Pakan’yani Maidu of Strawberry Balley Rancheria, Tule River Indian Tribe, United Auburn Indian Community of the Auburn Rancheria, and Wilson Rancheria. None of these tribal organizations requested formal consultation with the County regarding the project. REGULATORY SETTING Tribal Cultural Resources Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) AB 52 (Chapter 532, Statutes 2014) required an update of the CEQA Guidelines to include questions related to impacts to tribal cultural resources. AB 52 establishes a consultation process with all California Native American Tribes on the Native American Heritage Commission List,