San Andreas, CA…The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) (SCH # 2016042019) for the proposed Medical Cannabis Cultivation and Commerce Ordinance is now available for review. Public comment on this document is invited for a 45-day period from May 1 through June 14, 2017. More information is provided below.

PROJECT LOCATION: Calaveras County is located in California’s central Sierra Nevada region, ranging from low-elevation oak-covered foothills to high-elevation pine forests. The majority of land within the County falls within the regulatory jurisdiction of the County, with the exception of the City of Angels Camp, the only incorporated city within the county boundaries, and federal and state lands (approximate 13 percent of the land area of the County). Approximately 39,000 acres within the County are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management with an additional 6,000 acres, associated with the Calaveras Big Trees State Park, owned by the State of California.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project is an ordinance addressing regulations concerning the cultivation, manufacture, testing, distribution, transportation, and storage of medical marijuana within Calaveras County. An alternative that is being considered as a part of this EIR is to adopt a ban of cannabis cultivation and other associated commercial activities Regulations include permitting requirements to reduce conditions that create public nuisances by enacting restrictions on the location, type, and size of marijuana cultivation sites; the location, type, and size of commercial activities involving medical marijuana; and the use of screening, security, and other protective measures to more effectively control the adverse environmental impacts associated with medical marijuana cultivation and commercial activities. The ban alternative would prohibit cannabis cultivation in all zones and limit recreational/medical cultivation to six plants grown indoors.

SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS: The DEIR identifies significant impacts in the following California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) environmental issue areas: aesthetics and visual resources; air quality; biological resources; cultural resources; greenhouse gas emissions; hydrology and water quality; transportation and circulation; and cumulative effects. As described in the DEIR many of these impacts can be fully mitigated but some cannot and would remain significant and unavoidable. Unavoidable impacts include effects on air quality (3.2-4), biological resources (3.3-3), transportation and circulation (3.9-2), and cumulative impacts to agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation and circulation.

ADDRESS WHERE COPY OF DRAFT EIR IS AVAILABLE: The DEIR and proposed ordinance are now available for public review and download on the Calaveras County website at http://planning.calaverasgov.us/MedicalCannabis.aspx. Printed copies of the document are available for public review at the following locations during normal business hours:

Calaveras County Planning Department
891 Mountain Ranch Road
San Andreas, CA 95249

San Andreas Central Library
1299 Gold Hunter Road
San Andreas, CA 95249

PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT EIR: May 1, 2017 through June 14, 2017
All comments on the Draft EIR must be received by the County no later than 5:00pm on June 14, 2017 to be considered. Pursuant to Section 15088a of the CEQA Guidelines, late comments will be considered only at the County’s discretion. Comments must be directed to:
Peter Maurer, Planning Director
Calaveras County Planning Department
891 Mountain Ranch Road
San Andreas, CA 95249
pmaurer@co.calaveras.ca.us

DRAFT EIR COMMENT MEETING: On May 22, 2017, starting at 6:00 PM, Calaveras County will conduct a public meeting to solicit input and comments from public agencies and the general public on the Draft EIR for the project. This meeting will be held at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, located at 891 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA. There will be no transcription of oral comments at these meetings. Comments received will be summarized by staff for inclusion in the Final EIR. Those who wish to have their verbatim comments incorporated in the Final EIR must submit their comments in writing.

If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact Peter Maurer at pmaurer@co.calaveras.ca.us. Meeting facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Published: May 3, 2107 VSN