Agenda - 09-01-2009 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Fes': Considerations ire: Transfer Station Work Session Page 2 of 4 *Ire 1 981 results of preliminary soil tests throughout the property led the environmental health department to conclude: "The potential for development of that particular property using subsurface ground absorption sewage disposal systems would seem highly unfeasible because of the severely limited conditions. " I'd also like to inquire about the term 'enhanced environmental assessment" on the agenda for tonight's work session. Please specify whether county staff are currently developing an environmental impact statement (EIS) as described in the attached orange County Environmental Impact Planning ordinances, a process which examines potential impacts and alternatives in greater detail than an environmental assessment (EA). County, state and federal laves define an EA and EIS, but I have not found any references to or definitions of an ..enhanced" EA. My understanding is that the county has completed the EA of Site 056, except for a wetlands survey by the Army Corps of Engineers, At the April 21st BOCC ,meeting, Commissioner Barry Jacobs commented that the county should be 'held to the sane standards it would apply to any other project applicant. There was discussion of requiring an EIS and following the meeting, I contacted Barry to clarify what had been agreed upon. He confirmed that the commissioners directed staff to pursue the equivalent of an EIS, because staff indicated that some of the work toward an EIS was already underway or completed. A completed EIS would provide citizens with a full account of potential impacts of the proposed transfer station on the property and surrounding community. Under the county ordinance, EIS requirements include a public hearing, a completed EA document, a full exploration of alternatives with a description of direct and indirect effects and consequences of the proposed activity, and a description of possible conflicts with federal, state and local plans, policies and controls for the affected area. ,Tease note Orange County's EIS requirements in excerpted sections below from the attached document: Chapter 40 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Sec, 40 -1, Purpose; Intent, (b) The intent of this chapter is to provide a mechanism for full disclosure of anticipated impacts of developments and to ,Hake such information publicly available so that citizens of the county may have input into developmental issues before they become moot. Sec. 40-3, Applicabi it * The county reserves the right to rewire preparation of an EIS pursuant to this subsection (c),, notwithstanding a FONSI on the part of federal or state agencies. Sec, 40 -4., Revlaew of environmental documents. (b) Review of EI + (3) Upon completion: of the advertised 15 -day review period, and upon receipt of comments from the state clearinghouse when applicable, all comments will be compiled and summarized by planning staff. (4) The EIS, along with all comments received during the review period, shall be presented for public hearing concurrently with the development project. If a public hearing before the board of commissioners is not rewired for approval of the development project, a special hearing may be scheduled. The hearing shall take place no 05/14/2009