CHAPTER 10 – HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - sacog

Impact HAZ-6: For a project located within the vicinity of a private airstrip, result in a
safety hazard for people residing or working in the project area.
A. Regional Impacts
Implementation of the proposed MTP/SCS contains land use and transportation projects that
could be in the vicinity of private airstrips, creating hazards from tall structures, glare-producing
objects, bird and wildlife attractants, radio waves from communication centers, or other features
that have the potential to interfere with take-off or landing procedures and pose a risk to
aircrafts. Growth in rural areas could potentially increase the number of businesses or industries
near private airstrips, which are generally located in more rural areas. However, the proposed
MTP/SCS has limited growth in these areas. Figure 10.7 depicts the private airports within the
SACOG region.
The activity level and accessibility of private airstrips is very limited, and these airstrips affect
less land than public airports; thus, the safety hazards are comparatively less than public or
public use airports. In addition, private airstrips are regulated by both local land use regulations
and state and federal aviation guidelines.
There are several private airstrips located throughout the region, where proposed MTP/SCS land
uses and transportation projects are proximate to these airstrips, and therefore could potentially
result in adverse safety hazard impacts. Implementing agencies are responsible for analyzing
safety and compatibility issues associated with approval of MTP and SCS development
proximate to private airstrips for which operation is to continue. In addition, local governments
require operators to obtain a conditional use permit prior to air operations on private airstrips.
Furthermore, Caltrans requires operators to obtain a permit from the Division of Aeronautics
prior to air operations, and FAA regulation (14 C.F.R. § 77) includes provisions that apply to
public as well as private airstrips. Although the regulatory environment for private airstrips is
not as explicit as for public airstrips, adherence to state and local permits, existing regulations,
and FAA requirements would reduce the potential for a safety hazard for people residing or
working in the vicinity of private airstrips. In addition, general plan policies within the area
ensure that development proximate to private airstrips addresses compatibility issues.
Therefore, the potential for adverse private airstrip impacts related to land use and transportation
changes from implementation of the proposed MTP/SCS at the regional level are considered less
than significant (LS) for Impact HAZ-6. No mitigation is required.
B. Localized impacts
The localized impacts associated with implementation of the proposed MTP/SCS are the same
in each of the Community Types as described in the regional impacts discussion above. Land
use and transportation projects in Center and Corridor Communities, Established Communities,
Developing Communities, Rural Residential Communities, and Lands Not Identified for
Development are regulated by the various state and federal regulations discussed in the regional
analysis.
MTP/SCS 2035
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
Draft Environmental Impact Report Chapter 10 – Hazards and Hazardous Materials – Page 10-57