FEIS - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
FEIS - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
FEIS - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
RESPONSE TO COMMENTS ON THE DEIS<br />
B o u l d e r B a y C o m m u n i t y E n h a n c e m e n t P r o g r a m P r o j e c t E I S<br />
providers during construction to ensure roadway access. Impact PSU-C1 discusses<br />
emergency situations and evacuations. Mitigation PSU-C1will designate the project<br />
area as an emergency shelter and/or staging area. Please see response to comment<br />
322-ja for additional response on emergency vehicle access and roadway adequacy.<br />
Comment 332-bg: Comment Summary - The cumulative impacts analysis on p. 5-15 needs to consider<br />
the size and unit type differences between the sending area (TAUs, South Lake<br />
<strong>Tahoe</strong>) and receiving area (ERUs, Crystal Bay).<br />
Please see response to comment 322-dg regarding unit size. Page 5-15 of the DEIS<br />
addresses the potential growth inducement that may occur from the transfer of<br />
existing development rights from the south shore to the north shore of Lake <strong>Tahoe</strong>.<br />
Under Alternative C, Boulder Bay is proposing to transfer 73 TAUs and 56 ERUs to<br />
the project area from the south shore. The comment is correct that the project<br />
proposes to transfer 42 units previously used as TAUs in the south shore, and convert<br />
them to ERUs for use in the Boulder Bay project area under Alternative C. This<br />
transfer means units occupied by tourist in the south shore may instead be used by<br />
permanent residents on the north shore. As documented on page 4.1-25 of the DEIS,<br />
the loss of TAUs from the south shore will result in an approximate one percent<br />
reduction in the Stateline/Ski Run Community Plan TAU pool under Alternative C.<br />
The transfer of 73 TAUs to the Boulder Bay project area under Alternative C will<br />
increase existing or banked TAUs in the NSCP area by approximately 10 percent.<br />
The transfer of 56 ERUs to the Boulder Bay project area under Alternative C will<br />
increase existing ERUs in the NSCP area by over 200 percent. It should also be<br />
noted that 139 TAU located at the <strong>Tahoe</strong> Inn within the NSCP are proposed to be<br />
transferred out of the NSCP to the west shore Homewood project.<br />
Comment 332-bh: Comment Summary - The cumulative air quality impact analysis needs to consider<br />
north and west shore VMTs.<br />
The analysis indicates that Alternative C does not contribute to cumulative VMT<br />
impacts because it has reduced VMT compared to the baseline conditions. The DEIS<br />
indicates that Alternative C will generate less traffic/VMT than Alternative A and the<br />
alternative existing baseline existing condition, which was used as the baseline for<br />
traffic comparisons. Master Response 2 provides information related to the<br />
alternative baseline existing conditions analysis.<br />
Comment 332-bi: Comment Summary - The cumulative biology impact analysis needs to consider all<br />
tree removal along north and west shores.<br />
The removal of trees is not a criterion for determining significance of impacts. Loss<br />
of habitat associated with the tree removal is the criteria used to determine<br />
environmental impacts. However, there is no habitat within the Boulder Bay project<br />
area that is considered to be suitable for sensitive wildlife species. As a result, the<br />
tree removal proposed for the Boulder Bay project does not contribute to cumulative<br />
impacts to suitable habitat for sensitive species.<br />
Comment 332-bj: Comment Summary - The cumulative water supply impact analysis needs to consider<br />
water demand for all north and west shore projects.<br />
Cumulative water demand is discussed on page 4.12-19. As stated, water supplies to<br />
each site are highly monitored by the water agency with jurisdiction over the site.<br />
Each project is required to show adequate water supplies are available. For sites<br />
within IVGID's jurisdiction, each site is contracted a limited water supply that must<br />
PAGE 8- 142 HAUGE BRUECK ASSOCIATES SEPTEMBER 8 , 2010