Impacts of the Yuba Highlands Specific PlanImpacts of the Yuba Highlands Specific Plan Below are the public comments made during the October 2002 meeting or submitted in writing during the meeting to the Yuba County Planning Department for inclusion in the EIR. Growth-inducing impacts including but not limited to suburban sprawl and likelihood that the proposed development will induce further development in all directions Impact upon the ecological health and integrity of Spenceville Wildlife and Recreation Area Impacts upon wildlife in the Yuba Highlands area and its vicinity, including but not limited to threatened and endangered species Impacts of wastewater from the proposed development Impacts of supplying water from the Yuba Goldfields groundwater to the proposed development, including but not limited to the effects on the Yuba River, wildlife in the watershed, effects of arsenic, mercury and other contaminants consistent with the area's gold mining legacy, impact on agricultural and domestic wells in surrounding areas, and the identification of any subterranean streams Impacts upon streams and wetlands, known and unknown in and around the area, and the impact on threatened or endangered species. Effects of sediment and other contaminants from run off into streams, wetlands from erosion, modification of existing slopes, and modern residential, commercial, retail, recreational and other development. Impacts upon oaks, especially blue oaks Impacts upon air quality Impacts upon traffic amounts and patterns Impacts from unexploded ordnance (UXO)on construction workers and future residents Impacts upon cultural and archaeological resources Impacts from noise from roads, BAFB, development, and other sources Effects upon BAFB's defense mission Potential for developing lands adjacent to existing communities and existing infrastructure Whether there is an adequate amount of open space, buffers, wildlife corridors Whether the project would be better served by rezoning and clustering housing rather than spreading it across many low-density residential areas. Whether the plan includes adequate housing for working-class families and individuals Impact on Yuba County taxpayers if developer does not complete infrastructure, the financial resources of the River Highlands Community Services District and the possibility that Yuba Co. may ultimately be liable for construction, maintenance and public services expenses Given that Yuba Co. has the highest incidence rate of cancer in the state, the effects of such development on cancer incidence rates, including but not limited to the PAVE PAWS operation at BAFB Given that Yuba Co. had the highest mortality rate in the state in 1999, the impact of such development on the mortality rate Impact on roads and highways, especially given current or future plans for bypasses in Yuba and surrounding counties Explanation of what happened to Benefit Assessment bonds sold in 1993, who owns them, and what they have been used for to date and for the future Encroachment on BAFB Whether BAFB has been contacted per the laws under California CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act - which covers the EIR process) or National EPA (Environmental Protection Act) Whether CalTrans has been involved for the scoping meeting under the Public Resources Code of California Effects of unsupervised children and teens of area residents in both the subdivision area and the Spenceville Wildlife Area Possibility that TCE (trichloroethylene) contamination known to be coming from BAFB could affect the proposed development Will power companies take easements by eminent domain and/or will there be power lines established over existing properties surrounding the project area? Effects of urban sprawl and leapfrog development Will nearby landowners be able to tie into the water/sewer infrastructure later? What are the tax revenue estimates to the county for the development? Does the planned water/sewer plans serve only the planned community or is there capacity for extension to nearby residents? What might be the effect on surrounding property values - not part of EIR/CEQA per Yuba Co. Exactly what types and extent of public services will be available for the development? Effects of munitions storage at BAFB on the project Possible effects of crashes of unmanned planes coming from BAFB Possible developments of BAFB property should DoD shut it down - like Mather turning into an air freight field What are the advantages to the Smartville area for this development? (will be considered by Board of Supervisors outside the EIR) Please put the public documents on the county's website (the county has very limited IT resources and this website owner has been witness to this since before the 1997 floods. That is why a coalition of private parties will be establishing a public forum in lieu of the county website or other county government electronic resources) Will we have any notification when new documents go out? (County response was no, that you need to check. Another reason for a private party website) Is there an economic and social study to be performed? Answer was no, that it was not a requirement of EIR/CEQA Consider relocating Spenceville Rd out of the wildlife area Consider having the landowners pushing this development to sell to conservation-minded parties Given this type of development the size of Marysville, what type(s) of public transit will be available? Will EIR consider impacts upon Nevada County? Was DFG (Dept of Fish & Game) involved? Yes per county Does the EIR specify what types of buildings/architecture are acceptable - county answer was no. Is supposed to be covered under specific plan submitted by development company. Attendees at the meeting included: - Smartville and surrounding residents and property owners - Yuba County Planning staff - Representatives from the 3 landowners supporting and funding the EIR - Residents of Nevada County - Residents of the Camp Far West area of Yuba County - Representative from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from the Camp Beale unexploded ordnance cleanup project - Representative of Parker Design, the Army Corps of Engineers' public relations consultant for the Camp Beale unexploded ordnance cleanup project - A representative from Friends of Spenceville - A representative for: South Yuba River Citizens League Sierra Nevada Group/Sierra Club Sierra Foothills Audubon Society Planning and Conservation League Sierra Watch Sierra Nevada Alliance