4
LAND USE
EXISTING SETTING
REGIONAL SETTING
The proposed Project area is located in the Altamont Pass, which is situated in the interior Central Coast
Ranges above the Central Valley. The Coastal Ranges in this area are characterized by rolling hills of
annual grassland. The area is mostly treeless and sparsely populated. The surrounding land uses include
the Byron Airport, Vasco Caves Regional Preserve, California Aqueduct and pumping plant, and several
residences, as well as other windpower projects. As such, there is not an established community, per se,
in the area that could be affected.
REGULATORY SETTING
Plans, policies and regulations applicable to the Project include the Contra Costa County General Plan,
the zoning ordinance including the Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) ordinance, and the
Repowering Program.
General Plan Land Use Designation and Policies
The Contra Costa County General Plan designates the Project area as AL – Agricultural Lands. The AL
land use designation is intended to preserve and protect lands capable of and generally used for the
production of food, fiber and plant materials. Other non urban uses are also allowed subject to a land
use permit. Policies for the southeast county area are based on a multiple use philosophy that
encourages agriculture and allows compatible uses such as wind farms. The following policies in the
Conservation Element of the General Plan also relate to wind farms.
Land Use Policy 3-89:
“Wind farm uses are to be considered appropriate within the [Altamont Pass Wind] resource area or
along the periphery of the wind energy resource area, subject to a careful review of environmental
impacts of specific wind farm proposals.”
Renewable Energy Resources Goal 8-K and L:
“To encourage the use of renewable resources where they are compatible with the maintenance of
environmental quality”,
DRAFT EIR – BUENA VISTA WIND ENERGY PROJECT PAGE 4-1
CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
“To reduce energy use in the County to avoid risks of air pollution and energy shortages which could
prevent orderly development.”
Renewable Energy Policies, Policy 8-49, 50 and 51:
“Commercial wind farms shall be restricted to the south Byron Hills portion of the County.”
“New residential uses should be discouraged within the wind energy areas since clusters of wind
turbines generate noise. Turbines could become a nuisance if new subdivisions or residences are
allowed immediately adjacent to the existing turbines or on properties already approved for wind
turbines.”
“All new wind energy applications shall comply, at a minimum, with the site-specific criteria included in
the wind energy conversion systems regulations in the County Ordinance Code.”
Renewable Energy Resources Implementation Measures 8-bp, 8-bq and 8-br:
“Consider wind farm uses to be appropriate land uses within the Byron Hills resource area or along
the periphery of the wind energy resource area, subject to careful review of the environmental impacts
of specific wind farm proposals. Conformance with the ALUC’s Structural Height Limit restrictions
shall be required.”
“If wind farms become obsolete or abandoned, they shall be entirely removed and the land shall be
returned to its natural pre-project condition.”
“Require bonding as a condition of project approval to ensure that obsolete or abandoned windfarms
are returned to pre-project conditions. Also require periodic review of bond penalties by the County to
determine that an appropriate amount is continuously held in surety.”
Zoning
The County Zoning Ordinance is contained in Title 8 of the County Ordinance Code. The Project site
contains parcels that are zoned A-2 (General Agriculture), A-3 (Heavy Agriculture), and A-4
(Agricultural Preserve), as shown in Figure 4-1. The A-2, A-3, and A-4 zones generally allow a wide
range of agricultural activities, some of which require a land use permit in the more restrictive A-4 zone,
single-family residential uses, and related uses. Wind energy conversion systems (WECS) are an allowed
use subject to obtaining a land use permit in each of the agricultural districts.
Contra Costa County - Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS) Ordinance
Contra Costa County regulates wind energy project development through its Wind Energy Conversion
System (WECS) ordinance. Implementation of these regulations supports the County’s goal to foster
renewable energy within the limits of environmental constraints. The specific WECS ordinance is
codified in Chapter 88-3 of the County Code. The WECS ordinance was adopted “to promote the effective
and efficient use of wind energy conversion systems (WECS), regulate the placement of, and promote safeguards for,
WECS so that the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Contra Costa County will be insured.”
The WECS ordinance specifies the following:
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CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
1. All WECS require a land use permit.
2. WECS are authorized only in agricultural districts.
3. Applications require a site plan; projection of annual production; regrading and revegetation
program for temporary roads; preliminary erosion and drainage plan; reclamation plan; proposed
access route; and statement on rotor and overspeed controls.
4. A $3,000 cash deposit (revolving fund) required for investigation and evaluation of noise or permit
violation. Additional cash deposit for estimated damage to county roads is discretionary.
5. Safety setback standard of three times overall machine height or 500 feet, which ever is greater, from
exterior project boundaries; safety setback of 1,000 feet from offsite residences on adjacent parcels.
6. Tower access standard that secures access for safety purposes. Rotor safety standards that requires
turbines to be equipped with both manual and automatic controls to limit the rotational speed.
Electromagnetic interference standard that requires turbines to be designed, installed and operated
to prevent interference from occurring; if it does occur, operator to mitigate.
7. Utility notification standard that requires utilities to be notified prior to turbine installation and to
confirm that proposed installation is acceptable.
8. Maximum noise level of 65 dBA at the lot line; mitigation measures may be taken to achieve the
standard.
9. Site access standard that limits construction of onsite roadways to a minimum and requires
restoration of temporary access roads. Minimum parking requirements for onsite employee uses.
10. Site aesthetic standard that calls for non-reflective and unobtrusive color to be used on turbine
structures and siting which minimizes visual impact to residences within one mile, adjacent
roadways, and County scenic routes.
11. Sign standard that requires warning signs to be posted for high voltage electricity and forbids
advertising logos to be placed or painted on towers.
12. A reclamation plan must be submitted to establish or expand a wind energy plant
13. The zoning administrator approves permits if the WECS use will not adversely affect the orderly
conduct of existing or planned land uses in the vicinity and if the reclamation plan and associated
guarantees and performance security are sufficient to enable the WECS and subject property to meet
the intent and purpose of Chapter 88-3. The zoning administrator has the discretion to conduct
five-year review of the permit. The permit may be revoked, after notice and hearing, for violation of
the permit or failure to abate a nuisance after notice.
DRAFT EIR – BUENA VISTA WIND ENERGY PROJECT PAGE 4-3
CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
Wind Energy Repowering Program
The Wind Energy Repowering Program for the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA) was
approved by the County in 1998 as part of its consideration of several wind power repowering projects.
That document is meant to be an administrative tool to guide the conditional use permit process within
the APWRA. The Program includes a cap on overall development allowed within the APWRA, and
requires developers to retire old turbines with a rated capacity equivalent to the new turbines being
installed. It also includes design standards that set minimum parameters for new turbines that ensure the
use of newer technology, and a biological resource management plan (BRMP) that provides siting
standards, road and electrical system standards, avian impact avoidance strategies and monitoring, and
biological resource protection measures for unique habitats and listed species. Applicants for wind
turbine permits in Contra Costa County are subject to conditions of approval that mitigate potential
environmental and financial impacts caused by construction, maintenance, and operation of the turbines.
Repowering Program Standard Conditions
The following is a summary of the current Contra Costa County standard conditions of approval for
individual projects pursuant to the Repowering Program:
1. Discretionary review of permit every five years, on the five-year anniversary, to modify any
condition previously imposed or to add new conditions if needed to guarantee the continuance of
affirmative findings (#21, Wind Energy Repowering Program, pages 17-18). Approval is for 25
years (#24, Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 18).
2. Turbine type, number, location and height to remain as permitted unless approved by the Zoning
Administrator (Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 1).
3. In event of tower collapse, blade throw, fire, or related injury to worker, notice to County within
five (5) days of such occurrence (#12, Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 14).
4. No direct impacts on riparian or emergent marsh habitats shall be permitted. To avoid indirect
impacts to these habitats, no ground-disturbance activity is permitted within 200 feet of these
habitats unless no other feasible alternative exists. If no other feasible alternatives exist, then a
qualified biologist shall assist with siting, conducting clearance surveys, and developing other
avoidance strategies as needed (Biological Resources Management Plan – Repowering Program,
pages 61-62).
5. Vehicles shall not travel off-road or upon roads which have not been maintained free of flammable
vegetation during periods of very high fire danger except when necessary because of an immediate
hazard to life or property. Vehicle travel during lesser levels of fire danger shall only occur when
operationally necessary (Altamont Pass Windfarms – Fire Safety Requirements, VIII – B, page 7).
6. Removal of food related items each day to avoid attracting kit fox to hazardous areas and filling or
covering of small holes or trenches to avoiding trapping small mammals.
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CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
7. The color of tower and blades to be neutral and non-reflective, such as dull white or light gray
(Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 3). All wind turbines, blades, towers and structures shall
be treated so as to blend with the surroundings except as otherwise allowed or modified by the
Zoning Administrator (#7, Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 12).
8. A grading, drainage, sedimentation and erosion control plan shall be approved in accordance with
standard engineering practice (#18, Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 11).
9. Comply with California Department of Fish and Game (“DFG”) requirements regarding any stream
channel modifications.
10. Revegetation of cut and fill slopes along roadways, windmill and building sites.
11. The Permittee agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the County, its officers, employees,
agents and assigns for any and all liability caused by negligent or wrongful acts of the Permittee
arising out of the exercise of the Conditional Use Permit, and to pay all claims, damages, judgments,
legal costs, adjuster fees, and attorney fees incurred by the County related thereto (#18, Wind
Energy Repowering Program, page 16).
12. A Comprehensive General Liability insurance policy in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 shall be
maintained during the term of the Conditional Use Permit. Evidence of such coverage shall be
provided to the County prior to issuance of any permit implementing this Conditional Use Permit
(#17, Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 16).
13. Discretionary site inspection by County and any other responsible agency to ensure compliance with
the permit.
14. The Permittee shall coordinate with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in
conjunction with the County fire agency to implement monitoring of its site during construction as
determined necessary by those agencies (#17, Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 11).
15. Windfarm companies shall take additional measures, as necessary, to reasonably prevent the
electrocution of birds (Altamont Pass Windfarms – Fire Safety Requirements V-C, page 5).
16. The applicant shall inform all personnel connected with the project of the possibility of finding
archaeological resources (e.g., human remains, artifacts, bedrock, bone or shell). If during
construction such resources are encountered, all work will be halted within a 30 meter radius of the
findings and a qualified archaeologist retained to ascertain the nature of the discovery. Mitigation
measures recommended by the archaeologist and approved by the Planning Director will be
implemented (#6, Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 12).
17. Training in procedural measures if kit fox dens are encountered during construction.
18. Applicant and owner shall agree in writing to future authorized wildlife/plant surveys of the site.
DRAFT EIR – BUENA VISTA WIND ENERGY PROJECT PAGE 4-5
CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
19. Reclamation plan and performance bond to cover cost of reclamation.
20. Filing of a security plan.
21. The Permittee shall facilitate and otherwise participate in avian research studies recommended by
the Technical Advisory Committee to the County, or in other studies recommended by the County,
for the area covered by the Permittee’s project (#28, Wind Energy Repowering Program, Page 19).
22. Payment of an avian mitigation monitoring fee.
23. In the event that a turbine is determined through the TAC process to be responsible for a
disproportionate number of collision incidents, the Permittee shall comply with the remedial action
initiated by the County for that turbine in accordance with the Biological Resource Management
Plan. If the United States Fish and Wildlife Service files a complaint seeking preliminary injunctive
relief under the Endangered Species Act or other applicable federal laws and regulations for which it
is responsible, the County will require the owner of the turbine(s) in question to shut down the
turbine(s) pending resolution of the request for preliminary injunctive relief. If a final determination
is made that there has been a violation of one or more applicable federal laws and regulations, the
County will make a finding that the project in question is out of compliance with the permit and will
require that the subject turbine(s) be removed or relocated (#29, Wind Energy Repowering
Program, page 19).
24. Construction plans shall be submitted to the County, which plans shall indicate the precise route of
access to the property and the terms of construction, for the purpose of establishing road
maintenance fees for mitigation of construction impacts. Permittee shall be responsible for the cost
of maintaining the structural integrity of the County road(s) on the access route during the period of
construction (#20, Wind Energy Repowering Program, page 11; Road Maintenance Fee
determination discussed in #21, Wind Energy Repowering Program, pages 11-12).
IMPACTS & MITIGATION MEASURES
The following discussion addresses potential impacts resulting from the proposed Buena Vista Project,
and mitigation measures recommended to reduce or avoid potentially significant impacts.
Significance Criteria
• The Project would have a significant environmental impact if it were to physically divide an
established community.
• The Project would have a significant environmental impact if it were to result in a conflict with any
applicable land use plan, policy, or regulation of an agency with jurisdiction over the project adopted
for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating an environmental effect.
• The Project would have a significant environmental impact if it were to result in a conflict with any
applicable habitat conservation plan or natural community conservation plan.
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CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
4.1 DIVIDING AN ESTABLISHED COMMUNITY
There is no established community within the Project Area. The Project Area consists of dispersed
agricultural operations with an established wind energy project operation on site. The Project involves
the removal and replacement of these existing wind turbines with fewer, new, more efficient turbines.
The existing turbines, and the turbines to be installed, present no barrier and will establish no barrier to
movement within the site. Thus, the Project would have no impact on dividing an established
community.
4.2 CONSISTENCY WITH LAND USE PLAN
Repowering of a previously developed wind energy facility under the currently proposed Project is
consistent with the agricultural and wind energy land use policies of the General Plan. This conclusion is
based on the following:
Policy 8-K: To encourage the use of renewable resources where they are compatible with the
maintenance of environmental quality.
The proposed Buena Vista Repowering Project is consistent with the County’s desire to revitalize an
industry that provides a clean, renewable source of energy. Repowering would provide increased energy
production without increasing the rated capacity of the facility due to investment in new technology that
will remove aging equipment that has reached the end of its economic life, and the general increase in
efficiency of the newer turbine equipment based on operation over a wider range of wind speeds and
improved power generation technology.
The environmental constraints associated with the Buena Vista Projectare evaluated in this DEIR. The
vast majority of the site will remain available for on-going agricultural operations, primarily livestock
grazing.
Policy 8-49: Commercial wind farms shall be restricted to the south Byron Hills portion of the County.
All wind turbines allowed under the Buena Vista Project will be located in the south Byron Hills area.
Policy 8-50: New residential uses should be discouraged within the wind energy areas . . . , since
clusters of wind turbines generate noise. Turbines could become a nuisance if new subdivisions or
residences are allowed immediately adjacent to the existing turbines or on properties already
approved for wind turbines.
Residential use is not part of the Buena Vista project. The Project site is surrounded on three sides by
other wind farm developments. Since Policy 8-50 above serves to discourage new residential uses within
the wind energy area, no new residential development is anticipated in the Project area or its vicinity, so
there would be no conflicts with adjacent residential land uses.
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CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
Policy 8-51: All new wind turbine applications shall comply, at a minimum, with the site-specific criteria
included in the wind energy conversion systems regulations in the County Ordinance Code.
The Project is required to conform to the County Ordinance Code.
Program 8-bp: Consider wind farm uses to be appropriate land uses within the Byron Hills resource
area or along the periphery of the wind energy resource area, subject to careful review of the
environmental impacts of specific wind farm proposals. Conformance with the ALUC’s [Airport Land
Use Commission for the Byron Airport] Structural Height Limit restrictions shall be required.
Environmental quality is protected by the various features of the site plan, established standards for site
development and mitigation measures as described throughout this report. A prior, similar version of
the Project has been subject to review by the ALUC and was found to be an acceptable use within the
height restriction overlay zone of the Byron Airport and would not be a hazard to air navigation.
Structural height limitations required by the ALUC are discussed in Chapter 5 - Public Safety.
Program 8-bq: If wind farms become obsolete or abandoned, they shall be entirely removed and the
land should be returned to its natural pre-project condition.
This requirement will be implemented in conjunction with the Buena Vista Repowering Project.
Repowering the Project site will remove obsolete turbines and restore portions of the site to pre-Project
conditions. Reclamation will be guaranteed for the new Project according to County procedure.
Program 8-br: Require bonding as a condition of project approval to ensure that obsolete or
abandoned windfarms are returned to pre-project conditions. Also require periodic review of bond
penalties by the County to determine that an appropriate amount is continuously held as surety.
This requirement will be implemented in conjunction with the Buena Vista Repowering Project. Lastly,
applicants for wind turbine permits in Contra Costa County are subject to conditions of approval that
mitigate potential environmental and financial impacts caused by construction, maintenance, and
operation of the turbines. This is regulated through the WECS ordinance. The proposed Project would
be subject to these same conditions of approval.
Thus, the Project conforms to the County’s General Plan land use designation and policies regarding the
appropriateness of wind farm development within the APWRA. Therefore, the Project would have no
impact related to inconsistencies with the General Plan.
4.3 CONSISTENCY WITH ZONING REQUIREMENTS
The Project will be subject to all of the requirements of the County zoning ordinance. Conditions of
approval will include all relevant fees, submittal of final plans, conformance to electromagnetic and
tower access restrictions, noise, aesthetics, and reclamation standards. The Contra Costa County Code
(WECS Ordinance Section 88-3.6.02a) contains a safety setback requirement as follows:
PAGE 4-8 DRAFT EIR- BUENA VISTA WIND ENERGY PROJECT
CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
“A minimum WECS setback of three times overall machine height (measured from grade to the top of
the structure, including the uppermost extension of any blades) or five hundred feet, whichever is
greater, shall be maintained from exterior boundaries.”
As shown on Figure 4-1, the site plan generally conforms to the WECS ordinance setback
requirements, with the exception of along the southerly boundary.
All of the new proposed turbine sites are located a minimum of three times the turbine height from
exterior property boundaries near Vasco Road and to the east, north and west. Based on a maximum
height of 85.7 meters (281 feet) for turbines in the A and C Strings, the required setback for these
turbines is 843 feet. Four (4) of the proposed turbines in the southern portion of the A String are within
843 feet from the adjacent Elworthy property line. Based on a maximum height of 75.7 meters (248
feet) for turbines in the P String, the required setback for these turbines is 743 feet. Three (3) of the
proposed turbines in the southern portion of the P String are within 743 feet from the adjacent
Elworthy property line. The applicant is requesting a variance from the setback requirements for these
seven (7) turbines. The Elworthy property to the south of the Project site already has windfarms
developed on the property, and there are no residences on this adjacent off-site parcel.
With the exception of the southerly property boundary, it is expected that the final site plan (submitted
for building permits, incorporating all adopted conditions and mitigations) will comply with the Contra
Costa County WECS setback requirement without necessitating changes to the arrangement of on-site
roadways, reduction in the overall capacity of the project, or other substantial changes to the site plan
that would require further review.
Prior to final approval of the development plan for the site, evidence should be submitted by the
developer to the Community Development Department demonstrating compliance with the WECS
setback requirement of three times the total turbine height from exterior property boundaries, except
where a variance from this setback requirement may be granted. In particular, this requirement applies to
the property lines near Vasco Road and CCWD property in the northwestern portion of the site.
Conclusions
With the exception of the requested setback variance the Project would be consistent with the requirements of
the County zoning ordinance pertaining to relevant fees, submittal of final plans, conformance to
electromagnetic and tower access restrictions, noise, aesthetics, and reclamation standards. The Project
applicant is requesting a variance from the setback requirement pursuant to the WECS Ordinance for a
total of seven (7) proposed turbines on the southern property edge adjacent to the Elworthy property
line. The Elworthy property to the south of the Project site already has windfarms developed on the
property, and there are no residences on this adjacent parcel. The environmental impacts of this
proposed variance (particularly in regard to noise impacts) are further evaluated in Chapter 6: Noise, of
this EIR.
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CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
4.4 CONFLICT WITH CONSERVATION PLAN
There are no conservation plans either currently in force or proposed for application for the subject
property. Therefore, the Project would have no impact on conservation plans. The entire APWRA is
subject to the Biological Resources Management Plan (BRMP) as included in the Repowering Program.
The Project is consistent with the BRMP, as more fully described in Chapter 3: Project Description and
Chapter 8: Biological Resources, of this EIR.
4.5 COMPATIBILITY WITH ADJACENT WINDFARMS/DOWNWIND EFFECTS
The removal of old turbines and installation of new turbines under the Buena Vista Project would be
compatible with existing wind farms. The siting of new turbines under the Buena Vista Project is not
expected to pose any significant environmental impact to this existing land use.
Regarding downwind wake effects, this impact is considered less than environmentally significant, in
part because changes in wind characteristics are not notably different from other natural variations, or
resulting from prior wind farm installations that have been a factor on the landscape and resource for 10
to 20 years. The impact is economic, not environmental in character, and there is disagreement among
experts as to the extent of the economic effect (see discussion of Other Impacts in Chapter 10 of this
DEIR).
.
PAGE 4-10 DRAFT EIR- BUENA VISTA WIND ENERGY PROJECT
AD
RO
G
K
ON
A-3 EE
A-2
TR
CR
MS
HY
AR
US
BR
BYRON HOT
SPRINGS RD
A-2
843'
A-4
AD
RO
O
SC
VA
A-3
745'
A-2 A-3
O&M
A-2 FACILITY
A-4
STRING A
STRING C
843'
NTY
COU
STA
A CO Y
A-4
CONTR OUNT
A C
MED
ALA
STRING V
STRING P
843' 745'
500' 0 500'
A-4
Project Boundary M New Turbine A-2 General Agriculture Contra Costa Water Distict Property NOTE: Existing turbines in locations where
new turbines are proposed are not shown
X Removed Turbines A-3 Heavy Agriculture Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS)
Turbines Owned by Others Ordinance Setback
A-4 Agricultural Preserve
SOURCE: Contra Costa County
Figure 4-1
Zoning and Setback Requirements
CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
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PAGE 4-12 DRAFT EIR- BUENA VISTA WIND ENERGY PROJECT
CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
4.6 LAND USE COMPATIBILITY DURING CONSTRUCTION
Impact 4-6: Removal of old turbines and foundations, construction of new turbine foundations,
installation of new turbines and collection lines, and other ancillary construction
activities could temporarily affect adjacent uses by generating dust, noise, traffic, and
visual disruption of the landscape, or by damaging privately owned access roads.
This is a potentially significant impact
Potential dust impacts are regulated by grading permits granted through the Contra Costa County Public
Works Department. Typical mitigation measures required pursuant to a grading permit require the
watering of onsite access roads when dry. Application of grading permit requirements, including the
requirement for watering of onsite access roads during construction, would reduce this impact to a less
than significant level.
Construction-period traffic on County roads is addressed through Contra Costa County conditions of
approval pursuant to the Repowering Program. These conditions require wind farm developers to pay a
fee, calculated based on the number of turbines, number of miles of County affected road, and duration
of construction activity. As indicated in the Initial Study, the number and frequency of trips and the
general background level of traffic is considered a less than significant impact.
Access to the Project Area is limited to points along Vasco Road, Armstrong Road, and Byron Hot
Springs Road. The anticipated construction-period access plan for the Project is as follows:
• It is anticipated that 17 of the proposed 38 new turbines, those located in the “P” and “C” strings,
will be brought to the site via Byron Hot Springs Road from the east.
• The 3 most northerly turbines in String C will be brought to the site via Armstrong Road from the
north.
• The 18 turbines in the A and V Strings will be brought to the site via Vasco Road, using the turnoff
adjacent to the Vasco Road tunnel.
This construction access plan is specifically designed to avoid use of a portion of the existing road that
connects the eastern and western portions of the Project site because this portion of the road alignment
is immediately adjacent to an existing stock pond and alkali meadow. The proposed access plan avoids
impacts to these biological resources and complies with the Repowering Program requirements for
establishing a 200-foot setback from such natural features. No improvements to this road are proposed
or needed within 200 feet from the stock pond. However, this access plan does rely on use of other
private roads to access various points within the site. Construction-period traffic, including excavators,
graders, cranes, delivery trucks, and other large equipment, could directly damage existing roads and
would generally accelerate the rate of deterioration on roads servicing the development areas. This could
affect the daily lives of local residents who rely on these roads for access, the users of recreational areas
served by these roads, and the use of these roads by the Contra Costa County Water District (CCWD).
DRAFT EIR – BUENA VISTA WIND ENERGY PROJECT PAGE 4-13
CHAPTER 4 – LAND USE
Construction-period traffic on privately-owned access roads is not fully addressed through existing
regulations or standard conditions of approval.
Following construction, the Project applicant would continue to use Howden Road and the Vasco Road
tunnel for maintenance operations, as they are currently being used. However, because of the reduced
number of turbines in this area as proposed under the Project, the level of maintenance operations is
expected to generate even less maintenance traffic than occurs today.
In order to ensure that the potential impacts discussed above are reduced to a less than significant level,
the following mitigation measures would be required:
Mitigation Measures
MM 4-6a: Construction Plan. The applicant shall provide to the County a construction
schedule, routing plan, and estimated vehicle trips for evaluation prior to permit
approval. The schedule should comply with the hours of operation established by
the County.
MM 4-6b: Construction Traffic Controls. Warning signage and flag-person controls, as well
as pilot cars / escorts for large loads shall be provided to ensure that construction
equipment access to the site would be a less-than-significant impact on traffic within
and nearby the Project Area.
MM 4-6c: Staging Areas. The applicant shall use staging areas which are visually protected,
either by the terrain or another form of screening, from local residential areas, local
roads, and recreation areas where feasible.
MM 4-6d: Private Road Repairs. Any damage to private roads, particularly including
Howden Road and Armstrong Road that occur as a result of Project construction
and/or maintenance shall be repaired by the applicant.
Resulting Level of Significance
The permit for the Project can only be approved if the Project will not adversely affect the orderly
conduct of existing or planned land uses in the vicinity. The required reclamation plan, guarantees and
performance security, and road repair requirements are sufficient to enable the Project to meet the intent
and purpose of these requirements. However, implementation of Mitigation Measures 4-6a through
4-6d would further reduce the potentially significant temporary construction impacts to a level
considered less than significant.
PAGE 4-14 DRAFT EIR- BUENA VISTA WIND ENERGY PROJECT