San Andreas, CA…The Calaveras County Planning Department has released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the general plan update. The DEIR has been over a year in the making and addresses potential environmental impacts of development under the draft general plan recommended for approval by the Planning Commission in 2016 and mitigation measures that could reduce those impacts. The plan will guide growth in the County over the next several decades.

The potentially significant impacts identified in the DEIR include impact to aesthetics, agricultural and forest resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, noise, and transportation.

A 45-day public comment period begins on June 29, 2018 and ends on August 13, 2018. A public comment meeting is scheduled for July 31, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at 891 Mountain Ranch Road in San Andreas. Written comments may be submitted to the Planning Department at 891 Mountain Ranch Road. The DEIR will be available for review on the Planning Department’s website, at the County office, and at local libraries. Printed copies or CDs will be available for purchase at the Planning Department.

Planning Director Peter Maurer said release of the DEIR is a major milestone in the general plan process and moves the County a big step closer to final adoption. After the comment period ends the County and its consultants will need to prepare written responses to each comment and incorporate the comments and responses and any changes to the report in a Final EIR. When that is completed adoption hearings will begin before the Planning Commission who will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.