WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY
MULTIPLE SPECIES HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN

• Volume 1 - The Plan
• Volume 2 - The MSHCP Reference Document
• Volume 3 - Implementing Agreement

• Volume 4 - Final EIR/EIS
• Volume 5 - Final Responses to Comments
• Nexus Report

Location: MSHCP > VOLUME 4

VOLUME 4 - FINAL EIR/EIS

ES EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• ES.1 Purpose of the EIR/EIS
• ES.2 Introduction to the Riverside County Integrated Planning Process and Related Projects
• ES.3 Project Location
• ES.4 Purpose and Need
• ES.5 Proposed Project
• ES.6 Goals of the MSHCP
• ES.7 Alternatives
• ES.8 Issues Raised
• ES.9 Summary of Environmental Impacts/Consequences

1.0 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION

• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.1.1 Background
• 1.1.2 Riverside County Integrated Project
• 1.1.3 Riverside County Conservation Planning Context
• 1.1.4 Regulatory Context
• 1.1.5 Related Documentation
• 1.1.6 Relationship of the MSHCP to Surrounding HCP/NCCPs
• 1.2 Purpose and Need for the Proposed Project
• 1.2.1 Project Goals
• 1.2.2 Project Objectives
• 1.2.3 Purpose of the Joint EIS/EIR
• 1.3 Proposed Action
• 1.4 Actions Covered (CEQA) and Decisions to Be Made (NEPA)
• 1.4.1  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• 1.4.2 California Agencies
• 1.4.3 County of Riverside Agencies
• 1.4.4 Local Jurisdictions
• 1.5 Public Outreach and Scoping Process
• 1.5.1 Public Outreach
• 1.5.2 CEQA/NEPA Scoping Process
• 1.5.3 Notice of Preparation/Notice of Intent
• 1.5.4 Identification of Potentially Significant Issues
• 1.5.5 Issues Not Considered Significant and Not Selected for Detailed Analysis
• 1.6 Relevant Statutes, Regulations, and Guidelines
• 1.7 Organization of the EIR/EIS

2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES<

• 2.1 Project Location
• 2.1.1 MSHCP Plan Area
• 2.1.2 Institutional/Political Framework
• 2.1.3 Demographic Considerations
• 2.2 Identification of Alternatives and Selection of Proposed Alternative
• 2.2.1 Species Considered for Conservation
• 2.2.2 Conceptual Conservation
• 2.3 Proposed Action - MSHCP
• 2.3.1 Generalized Reserve Description
• 2.3.2 Soils
• 2.3.3 Patch Size
• 2.3.4 Covered Species
• 2.4 Listed, Proposed, and Strong Candidate Species Alternative
• 2.5 Listed and Proposed Species Alternative
• 2.6 Existing Reserves Alternative
• 2.7 No Project/No MSHCP Alternative
• 2.8 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Analysis
• 2.8.1 Narrow Endemic Plant Species Alternative
• 2.8.2 Modified Reserve Configuration Alternative
• 2.9 Funding
• 2.10 Implementation
• 2.11 Covered Activities
• 2.11.1 Covered Activities Outside the Criteria Area
• 2.11.2 Covered Activities within Existing Public/Quasi-Public Lands
• 2.11.3 Covered activities in the Criteria Area
• 2.11.4 Allowable Uses

3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING/AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

• 3.1 Biological Resources
• 3.1.1 Data Sources and Limitations
• 3.1.2 Bioregions
• 3.1.3 Vegetation Communities
• 3.1.4 Species Considered for Conservation in the Proposed MSHCP
• 3.2 Agricultural and Extractive Resources
• 3.2.1 Agricultural Resources
• 3.2.2 Mineral Resources within the Proposed MSHCP Area
• 3.3 Population, Housing, and Employment
• 3.3.1 Population
• 3.3.2 Housing
• 3.3.3 Employment
• 3.3.4 Region and City/County Forecasts
• 3.4 Public Services (Fire Protection and Parks)
• 3.4.1 Fire
• 3.4.2 Planned Park Facilities with the Proposed MSHCP Plan Area
• 3.5 Transportation and Circulation
• 3.5.1 Existing Transportation/Circulation Conditions
• 3.5.2 Existing Street and Highway System
• 3.5.3 Existing Public Transportation Systems/Services
• 3.5.4 Existing Rail Transportation System
• 3.5.5 Existing Non-Motorized Systems
• 3.5.6 Major Utility Corridors

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES

• 4.1 Biological Resouces
• 4.1.1 Introduction
• 4.1.2 Assumptions
• 4.1.3 Thresholds of Significance/Criteria for Determining Significance
• 4.1.4 Impacts
• 4.1.5 Mitigation Measures
• 4.1.6 Level of Significance after Mitigation
• 4.2 Agricultural and Extractive Resources
• 4.2.1 Agricultural Resources
• 4.2.2 Mineral Resources
• 4.3 Population, Housing, and Employment
• 4.3.1 Introduction
• 4.3.2 Criteria for Determining Significance
• 4.3.3 Impacts Analysis
• 4.3.4 Mitigation Measures
• 4.3.5 Significance of Impacts after Mitigation
• 4.4 Public Services (Fire Protection and Parks)
• 4.4.1 Impact Analysis Considerations and Assumptions
• 4.4.2 Thresholds of Significance/Criteria for Determining Significance
• 4.4.3 Impacts
• 4.4.4 Mitigation Measures
• 4.4.5 Level of Significance after Mitigation
• 4.5 Transportation and Circulation
• 4.5.1 Introduction
• 4.5.2 Thresholds of Significance/Criteria for Determining Significance
• 4.5.3 Impacts
• 4.5.4 Mitigation Measures
• 4.5.5 Level of Significance after Mitigation

5.0 CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

• 5.1 Cumulative Impact Analysis
• 5.1.1 Biological Resources
• 5.1.2 Agriculture and Extractive Resources
• 5.1.3 Housing, Population, and Employment
• 5.1.4 Public Services
• 5.1.5 Transportation

6.0 ADDITIONAL TOPICS REQUIRED BY CEQA AND NEPA

• 6.1 California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act
• 6.1.1 California Environmental Quality Act
• 6.1.2 National Environmental Policy Act
• 6.1.3 Discussion of Issues Required by CEQA and NEPA

7.0 ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONS CONSULTED

• 7.1 County
• 7.2 Cities
• 7.3 Regional Agencies
• 7.4 Consulting Firms

8.0 REPORT PREPARATION PERSONNEL

• 8.1 LSA Associates, Inc.
• 8.2 County of Riverside
• 8.3 Best, Best, and Krieger  
• 8.4 United States Fish and Wildlife Service
• 8.5 California Department of Fish and Game
• 8.6 DUDEK & Associates, Inc.

9.0 REFERENCES

10.0 GLOSSARY, ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND INDEX

• 10.1 Glossary
• 10.2 Acronyms and Abbreviations
• 10.3 General Index

APPENDICES

Appendix A - Scoping Report; Notices; Mailing Lists; Responses; News Articles

• Introduction
• Scoping Overview
• Notice of Preparation and Notice of Intent
• Public Notification
• Public Outreach/Notification to Minority and Low-Income Populations
• Public Scoping Meetings
• Responses to the Notice of Preparation and Notice of Intent
• Federal Agencies
• State Agencies
• Regional Agencies
• Organizations
• Individuals
• Summary of Major Issues/Comments in Response to the Notice of Preparation and Notice of Intent
• Federal Agencies
• State Agencies
• Regional Agencies
• Organizations
• Individuals
• Conclusions
• Alternatives Suggested During Scoping

Appendix A-1 - Draft EIR/EIS Notice of Availability, Federal Register Notice and Mailing List

• Notice of Availability (not posted on the Web but hard copies can be viewed at your local library or purchased at Riverside Blue Print).
• Federal Register Notice
• Public Notices(not posted on the Web but hard copies can be viewed at your local library or purchased at Riverside Blue Print).
• Mailing List(not posted on the Web but hard copies can be viewed at your local library or purchased at Riverside Blue Print).

Appendix B - Alternatives Screening Report

• Introduction
• National Environmental Policy Act and California Environmental Quality Act
• Goals and Objectives of the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
• Descriptions of Alternatives Considered But Not Carried Forward for Analysis in the EIR/EIS
• Modified Reserve Configuration Alternative
• Narrow Endemic Plant Species Alternative
• Vegetation Communities
• Reserve Configurations
• Conservation Benefits of the Modified Reserve Configuration Alternative
• Reasons for Not Carrying Forward the Screened Alternatives in the EIR/EIS for Analysis
• Modified Reserve Configuration Alternative
• Narrow Endemic Plant Species Alternative
• Conclusion
• References and Acronyms
• References
• Acronyms

Tables

• Table 1 - Species Protected and Private Lands Conserved
• Table 2 - Narrow Endemic Plant Species Protected under the Narrow Endemic Species Alternative
• Table 3 - Percentage of Vegetation Communities Subject to Take-Authorized Development with the Modified Reserve Configuration Alternative

LIST OF FIGURES

• 1.1 MSHCP Regional Location
• 1.2 MSHCP Plan Areas - Incorporated Cities
• 2.1 Existing Land Use
• 2.2 Criteria Area Boundaries
• 2.3 Status of Land Ownership
• 2.4 Bio-regions in the MSHCP Plan Area
• 2.5 Vegetation Types in Western Riverside County
• 2.6 Listed, Proposed, and Strong Candidate Species Alternative  
• 2.7 Listed and Proposed Species Alternative
• 2.8 Existing Reserves Alternative
• 3.1.1 Areas Within the MSHCP Plan Area Potentially Affected by Existing State and Federal Wetlands Regulations
• 3.2.1 Farmland Resources
• 3.2.2 Mineral Resources
• 3.5.1 Existing Roadways
• 3.5.2a Existing Conditions Roadway Classification and Level of Service Northwest MSHCP Plan Area
• 3.5.2b Existing Conditions Roadway Classification and Level of Service North-Central MSHCP Plan Area
• 3.5.2c Existing Conditions Roadway Classification and Level of Service Northeast MSHCP Plan Area
• 3.5.2d Existing Conditions Roadway Classification and Level of Service Central-Eastern MSHCP Plan Area
• 3.5.2e Existing Conditions Roadway Classification and Level of Service Southwest MSHCP Plan Area
• 3.5.2f Existing Conditions Roadway Classification and Level of Service South-Central MSHCP Plan Area
• 3.5.2g Existing Conditions Roadway Classification and Level of Service Southeast MSHCP Plan Area
• 3.5.3 Utilities
• 4.1.1 MSHCP Vegetation Map
• 4.1.2 Regional MSHCP Context
• 4.1.3 Schematic Cores and Linkages Map

LIST OF TABLES

• ES-A Summary of Alternatives
• ES-B Summary of Significance of Impacts after incorporation of Mitigation Measures
• 1A Decisions/Actions by Lead and Responsible Agencies
• 2A Land Distribution by Jurisdiction
• 2B Planned Land Uses within Unincorporated County Land
• 2C Planned Land Uses within Incorporated Land
• 2D Existing vs. Planned Land Use within Western Riverside County
• 2E Number of Species Considered for Conservation under the MSHCP since 1999
• 2F Estimate for Conservation by Vegetation Community (Proposed MSHCP)
• 2G Species Conserved by the MSHCP
• 2H Listed, Proposed, and Strong Candidate Species Alternative Species List
• 2I Listed, Proposed, and Strong Candidate Species Alternative Vegetation Summary
• 2J Listed and Proposed Species Alternative Vegetation Summary
• 2K Existing Reserves Alternative Vegetation Summary
• 2L Summary of Potential Species Conservation under Existing Reserves Alternative
• 2M Summary of Existing Reserves within the Proposed MSHCP Plan Area
• 2N Existing Species Provided Protection within the MSHCP Plan Area
• 2O Plant Species Protected under the Narrow Endemic Species Alternative
• 3A Summary of Collapsed and Uncollapsed Vegetation Communities Classifications
• 3B Acreage and Proportional Distribution of Vegetation Communities within the Proposed MSHCP Plan Area
• 3C State Designated Farmland within Western Riverside County (Acres)
• 3D Existing Agricultural Use in Western Riverside County
• 3E Mineral Production in Riverside County
• 3F MRZ-2 Land within the Proposed MSHCP Plan Area
• 3G Regional Population Growth Trends, 1994-1999
• 3H Population, Households, and Employment within Unincorporated Western Riverside County, 1997
• 3I Population Growth Trends within Cities of Western Riverside County
• 3J Housing Growth Trends within Cities of Western Riverside County
• 3K Employment Growth within the Cities of Western Riverside County
• 3L Growth Forecasts for the Unincorporated Western Riverside County
• 3M Developed Residential and Employment Land Use
• 3N Fire Stations Serving Western Riverside County
• 3O Future Park Facilities
• 3P Generalized Urban Functional Classification System - Definitions
• 3Q Generalized Rural Functional Classification System - Definitions
• 3R Level of Service Criteria
• 3S Uninterrupted Traffic Flow Facilities Level of Service
• 3T Interrupted Traffic Flow Facilities Level of Service
• 3U Existing Roadway Capacity Analysis (Interstate and State Routes)
• 3V Existing Roadway Capacity Analysis (Classified Local Facilities)
• 4A Summary of Impacts to Vegetation Communities
• 4B Comparison of Effects on Listed Covered Species by Alternative
• 4C Comparison of Effects on Non-listed Covered Species by Alternative
• 4D Species Not Covered under the MSHCP
• 4E Summary of Impacts to Cores and Linkages
• 4F Summary of Impacts to Vegetation Communities
• 4G Non-listed Species Covered Under the Listed, Proposed, and Strong Candidate Species Alternative
• 4H Non-covered Species Under the Listed, Proposed, and Strong Candidate Species Alternative
• 4I Summary of Impacts to Vegetation Communities
• 4J Non-listed Species Covered Under the Listed and Proposed Species Alternative
• 4K Non-covered Species Under the Listed and Proposed Species Alternative
• 4L Summary of Impacts to Vegetation Communities
• 4M Listed Species Conserved Under the Existing Reserves Alternative
• 4N Non-listed Species Covered Under the Existing Reserves Alternative
• 4O Non-covered Species Under the Existing Reserves Alternative
• 4P No Project Alternative Land Use and Vegetation Summary
• 4Q Summary of Existing Reserves within Plan Area
• 4R Designated Farmland within the Limits of Each MSHCP Alternative (Acres)
• 4S Actively Utilized Agricultural Land within the Limits of Each MSHCP Alternative (Acres)
• 4T Agriculturally Zoned/General Plan Designated Farmland within the Limits of Each MSHCP Alternative (Acres) - assuming adoption of County's Draft General Plan
• 4U Agriculturally Zoned/General Plan Designated Farmland within the Limits of Each MSHCP Alternative (Acres) - assuming land use designations in the County's and the Cities' existing General Plans
• 4V Mineral Resource Zone 2 Acres under the Proposed MSHCP and Action Alternatives
• 4W Land Available to Accommodate Anticipated Mineral Extraction Growth
• 4X Summary of Impacts to Planned Park Facilities
• 5A Population Growth Trends within Cities of Western Riverside County
• 5B Housing Growth Trends within Cities of Western Riverside County
• 5C Employment Growth within the Cities of Western Riverside County
• 5D Growth Forecasts for the Unincorporated Western Riverside County

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