p' consent r regular mitigated negative declaration

County of Sonoma Agenda Item Transmittal Report

To: Board of Supervisors As: P' Consent r Regular

Board Agenda Date: June 11, 2018 I Supervisorial District First

Department or Agency Name(s): Regional Parks

Title: Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, Lawson Expansion Master Plan and Mitigated Negative Declaration

Recommended Action: Adopt a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma approving the Master Plan for the Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, Lawson Expansion and adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project.

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--/ County Counsel approval: Signature: � {)l/-11c,Printed Name: L.e<;;,ltC /J-- �<,."" Date:

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Revision No. 2016-1

Revision No. 20151201-1

Agenda Item Number: (This Section for use by Clerk of the Board Only.) County of Sonoma

Agenda Item

Summary Report

Clerk of the Board 575 Administration Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95403

To: Board of Supervisors

Board Agenda Date: June 11, 2018 Vote Requirement: Majority

Department or Agency Name(s): Regional Parks

Staff Name and Phone Number: Supervisorial District(s):

Karen Davis-Brown, 565-1359 First

Title: Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion Master Plan and Mitigated Negative Declaration

Recommended Actions:

Adopt a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma approving the Master Plan for the Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion and adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project.

Executive Summary:

Regional Parks has developed a Master Plan for the Lawson Expansion (Lawson Expansion) at Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve (Park). The Lawson Expansion encompasses approximately 247-acres of wildlands that provide spectacular views and opportunities for a variety of visitor experiences. In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was prepared for the project. During the public comment review period, comments were received and minor modifications were made to the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. None of the information provided in the comments or the responses affects the conclusions of the proposed Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration. The proposed Master Plan will not result in any significant unavoidable impacts.

Discussion:

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (District) acquired the 247-acre Lawson Expansion (Assessor Parcel Numbers 303-0303-002 and 030-110-007), on October 7, 2005, for open space preservation and low-intensity public outdoor recreational use as an addition to the adjacent Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve. The acquisition protects natural and cultural resources, expands public access opportunities, provides scenic vistas for park visitors, and protects the Highway 12 scenic corridor. In August 2014, the District conveyed its fee interest in the Lawson Expansion to Regional Parks and retained a Conservation Easement and a Recreation Covenant on the property.

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The Lawson Expansion is located near the city of Santa Rosa and community of Kenwood, within a short distance of a large portion of the county’s population. The Lawson Expansion will offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience natural resources and recreational trails in a rugged, wild setting that connects the front-country with the back-country. A Master Plan and Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration was developed to support public access development and guide natural resource management.

Master Plan

As part of the public process for creating the Master Plan for the Lawson Expansion, two community workshops were held; the first on November 18, 2015, and the second on May 19, 2016. The community workshops provided a means for stakeholders to share their thoughts and to shape the Lawson Expansion Master Plan. At the meetings, project information was shared, and plan ideas and feedback from residents, neighbors and interested community groups was solicited. Their energized involvement in the process was essential to developing the Master Plan.

In November 2016, Regional Parks contracted with LSA Associates to help develop the Master Plan and support Regional Parks through the CEQA process. The Lawson Expansion Master Plan proposes trails, trail camping, and park amenities to be developed on the property. The Master Plan project goals are:

1. Develop a Master Plan that provides a range of recreational opportunities, balances recreation with natural resource protections, protects unique natural and cultural resources, and encourages public educational and interpretation.

2. Provide accessible facilities and trails for a variety of users and user abilities. 3. Develop facilities sensitive to the unique environment. 4. Develop a Resource Management Plan.

The Master Plan fulfills these goals through the objectives and actions in the conceptual development plan, resource management plan, and eventual public access and interpretation.

Public access to the Lawson Expansion will be limited to non-motorized trail access. Trails on the Lawson Expansion will connect to existing trails that are accessed from the Park’s Los Alamos Road or Pythian Road trailheads. Park operations and maintenance staff will maintain vehicle access on the existing service road from the Pythian Road trailhead.

Over 4-miles of unpaved trails are proposed on the Lawson Expansion. The trails will be designed to provide the highest level of access to the environment for users with a variety of abilities, without causing damage to site resources.

Four “environmental campsites” suitable for use by hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians, are proposed on the Lawson Expansion near the existing residence and barn. Campsites would be primitive, with only a picnic table, food locker, tent area, and a shared pump-out restroom. Campfires would be prohibited. Two sites are configured in close proximity and may be reserved together to provide small group camping and include facilities for equestrians such as a water-trough, highline, and a hitching post.

A bunkhouse would be located in the same location as the existing small residence. The existing structure may be modified or rebuilt within the same footprint into a bunkhouse with bunk beds and a communal kitchen facility. The facility would not have utilities, but may have motion sensor Dark-Sky Association compliant lighting for safety.


Other amenities include informal picnic areas and operational and interpretive signage. Picnic sites include a level area with one or several tables. Operational and directional signage will conform to existing park sign standards and the Lawson Expansion Conservation Easement. Interpretive signage proposed will provide specific information on biotic, cultural, geologic, vistas, or other features.

The four miles of trails and hike/bicycle/equestrian overnight stay facilities for development in the Master Plan finds a balance of providing public recreation with the protection of natural and cultural resources. Trail and facility development is focused around access to and on existing human disturbed areas and facilities. Approximately two-thirds of the 247-acre property is left undisturbed as habitat with no development proposed. The Master Plan and Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration provides development standards and establishes setbacks from all sensitive natural and cultural resources.

The Resource Management Plan provides a framework for management of the Lawson Expansion, including operations and maintenance, and monitoring plans. The Resource Management Plan was developed with best management operations and maintenance practices to cost effectively integrate with existing funding resources work for the Park.

Initial Study/Negative Declaration

Regional Parks has reviewed the proposed Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion Master Plan to determine whether it could have a significant effect on the environment, which is described as a substantial, or potentially substantial, adverse change in any of thphysical conditions within the area affected by the project, including land, air, water, minerals, flora, fauna, ambient noise, objects of prehistoric, historic, or aesthetic significance, and the built environmenas it affects human safety and quality of life.

The Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration determined that the Master Plan project comprised of trails, hike/bicycle/equestrian camping, amenities, and signage will have positive effects on natural resources and any negative impacts will be mitigated to a less-than-significant level. Biology, cultural resources, and transportation were key issues addressed.

Biological resources are protected by avoiding to the extent feasible, facilities and trails located near sensitive species. Trails that traverse near sensitive species and chaparral are kept on existing historic alignments where available, and a section of the Wild Lilac Trail is designated hiker-only near native grasses. The Resource Management Plan also prescribes monitoring and provides ideas for adjusting management if necessary to protect resources.

Cultural resources are protected by locating trails and facilities to avoid two historical homestead sites. Archaeologists will be on site to monitor during any construction activity near the historic sites. Tribes that consider the Lawson Expansion part of their ancestral lands have been in consultation with RegionaParks in accordance with Assembly Bill 52. A historic alignment of a trail will be realigned to provide a buffer to sensitive cultural resources. Additionally, a barrier will be constructed to provide protection tthe resource. Interpretive panels will be used to educate visitors on the significance of cultural sites andinform about federal and state regulations/penalties protecting cultural resources.

The CEQA findings for transportation determine that there is no change to the level of service at State Route 12 and Pythian Road and Los Alamos Road. Pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities serving the project site are adequate, but recommend that a bike rack should be installed at the Los Alamos Road trailhead.

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Other CEQA findings include:

Cultural – recreational facilities and trails should be monitored for impacts to historic and prehistoric resources, and protections added and adaptive management strategies developed if needed.

Hazards and Hazardous materials – invasive removal will use non-chemical approaches first, use chemicals only for spot treatment of high priority areas, and use best management practices to minimize runoff potential.

Geology/Soils – Schedule work in dry season, and route trails around areas with higher erosion potential.

Hydrology/Water Quality – monitor trails, and implement seasonal closures as needed.

Noise – schedule construction work during daytime hours, and plant native buffer between Lawson Expansion and private property near Lawson Springs Trail.

Funding & Initial Public Access

A funding agreement with the District provides $485,719 for development of this Master Plan, initial public access, and limited operations and maintenance. The property was impacted by the October 2017 wildfires causing delay to the CEQA process, and the agreement was amended on March 19, 2018 to extend the term through July 31, 2020. Initial public access will include an approximately 2-mile trail, signage, and limited resource protection. Trail improvements are anticipated to be bid in 2018 with construction slated for spring 2019. Additional trails and amenities will be developed in phases as grant-funding opportunities are realized.

Recommended Action

A Master Plan that balance natural and cultural resource protection with public recreation and education has been developed with the full participation of the community, neighbors, and stakeholder agencies. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma adopt a Resolution approving the Master Plan for the Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion and adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project.

Prior Board Actions:

On September 27, 2005, by Resolutions #05-0861 and #05-0826, the Board of Directors and Board of Supervisors, respectively, approved acquisition of the Lawson property.

On June 10, 2014, by Resolutions #14-0246 and #14-0247, the Board of Directors and Board of Supervisors, respectively, approved taking necessary actions to execute transfer of the Lawson Property from the District to the County subject to a conservation easement and recreation covenant. The Transfer Agreement further provides that the District will provide up to $485,000 to Regional Parks for planning, permitting, construction, cultural resource site protection, and operations and maintenance necessary to support initial public access.


Strategic Plan Alignment Goal 2: Economic and Environmental Stewardship

Approval of the Master Plan will expand Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, providing additional recreational, health, and education opportunities for county residents and visitors.

Fiscal Summary

FY 17-18 FY 18-19 FY 20-21 Adopted Projected Projected Expenditures

Budgeted Expenses 485,719.00

Additional Appropriation Requested

Total Expenditures 485,719.00

Funding Sources

General Fund/WA GF

State/Federal

Fees/Other 485,719.00

Use of Fund Balance

Contingencies

Total Sources 485,719.00

Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:

There is no fiscal impact as a direct result of approving the Master Plan and adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration. The funding to develop initial public access has been previously budgeted.

Staffing Impacts

Position Title Monthly Salary Additions Deletions (Payroll Classification) Range (Number) (Number)

(A – I Step)

Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):

None

Attachments:

1. Resolution 2. Lawson Expansion Regional Context Map 3. Lawson Expansion Trails Plan Map 4. Lawson Expansion Facilities Development Plan Map


5. Notice of Determination

Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:

1. Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion Final MND-IS 2. Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion Final Master Plan/

Resource Management Plan

County of Sonoma State of California

Item Number:

Date: June 11, 2018 Resolution Number:

4/5 Vote Required

Resolution Of The Board Of Supervisors Of The County Of Sonoma, State Of California, Adopting A Mitigated Negative Declaration And Mitigation Monitoring Program And

Approving The Master Plan For The Hood Mountain Regional Park And Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion Project.

Whereas, the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department (“Regional Parks”) has worked collaboratively with a consultant team led by LSA. through a public participation process over the past three years to develop the proposed Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion Master Plan (“Master Plan”); and

Whereas, the Master Plan was completed under the direction of the Regional Parks Director, and responds to the desires of the community, neighbors and stakeholders providing; and

Whereas, the Master Plan balances the protection of natural and cultural resources with the provision of public access on the property; and

Whereas, Regional Parks has had an Initial Study for the Master Plan prepared by a qualified consultant subject to Regional Parks review; and

Whereas, on September 19, 2017 the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration was presented to the Sonoma County Environmental Review Committee (ERC) who made the determination that a Mitigated Negative Declaration was the appropriate document for the Master Plan pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and

Whereas, Regional Parks submitted the Mitigated Negative Declaration to the State Clearinghouse and conducted the required 30-day public review period pursuant to CEQA between September 11 and October 10, 2017; and

Whereas, comments were received and considered during the CEQA public review process, resulting in minor modifications to the Mitigated Negative Declaration which

Attachment #1

Resolution # Date: June 12, 2018 Page 2

did not require recirculation of the Mitigated Negative Declaration or modify the conclusion that the Master Plan will not result in any significant unavoidable adverse impacts on the environment; and

Whereas, a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program has been prepared and included in the Mitigated Negative Declaration to ensure that all potential adverse impacts of the Master Plan are reduced to less than significant levels.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Board of Supervisors of Sonoma County hereby finds, determines, declares, and orders as follows:

1. The Mitigated Negative Declaration has been completed in compliance with CEQAand adequately and fully describes and evaluates the Master Plan; the MitigatedNegative Declaration and comments received during the public review process havebeen reviewed and considered by the Board; and the Mitigated Negative Declarationreflects the independent judgment of the Board.

2. The Mitigated Negative Declaration and its Mitigation Monitoring and ReportingProgram are adopted.

3. The Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson ExpansionMaster Plan, as presented to the Board on June 12, 2018, is approved.

4. The Regional Parks Director is directed to post a Notice of Determination for theproject in accordance with CEQA and State and local guidelines.

5. The Clerk of the Board of Supervisors is designated as the custodian of the record ofthe proceedings upon which the Board’s decision herein is based. These documentsmay be found at the office of the Clerk of the Board, 575 Administrative Drive, Room100, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

Be It Further Resolved that the Regional Parks Director shall move forward with development of park expansion trails and facilities as described in the Master Plan.

Supervisors:

Gorin: Rabbitt: Gore: Hopkins: Zane:

Ayes: Noes: Absent: Abstain:

So Ordered.

Hood MountainRegional Park and

Open Space PreserveLawson Expansion

Region Location Map March 2017

Enlarged View to Left

Cloverdale

Windsor 0 1.25 2.5 Miles 5

NAPACOUNTY Hood Mountain

Park & Preserve Spring Lake

Regional Park

Sugarloaf Ridge Santa Rosa State Park

Oakmont Trione-Annadel

Taylor Mountain State Park Park & Preserve Lawson

Sebastopol Expansion

N. Sonoma MountainPark & Preserve Sonoma Valley

Regional Park Jack London

Regional Park Crane Creek State Historic Rohnert Park Park

Cotati

Sonoma

Petaluma

Helen PutnamRegional Park Tolay Lake

Regional Park

Healdsburg

Windsor

SantRosa

a

Sebastopol RohnertPark

Sonoma

Petaluma

Sonoma CountyLocation Map

Sonoma Napa

Solano

Marin

Contra Costa SF

Alameda San Mateo

Santa Clara Bay AreaLocation Map

Data Source: - Sonoma County Regional Parks

Property Boundary - Sonoma County ISD GIS - highways,

streets, county, city limits Note: This map is for illustrative purposes only

and is not intended to be a definitive property description.

Attachment #2

Blueeron

Pond

H

MerganserPond

HO

OD

MO

U N T A I NT R A I L

L O W E RJ O H N S O N

R I DG E

T R A I L0.4

0.5 0.4

0.2 0.1

0.2

0.3

0.1

0.5

0.2 1,935 '

1,666'

1,814'

1,337'

1,548' 1,436'

1,863'

0.3

0.15

0.5 0.2

Divide RidgeSaddle

Rim of HoodCreek Canyon

The Spire

MadroneLanding

Lawson Peak

Lawson Expansion Property Boundary

USGS, County of Sonoma

Secret Dell

Data Source:- Sonoma County Regional Parks

Property Boundary, trails- Sonoma County ISD GIS - highways,

county, aerial imagery 2011, - LiDAR 2013, Sonoma Veg Map

Note: This map is for illustrative purposes onlyand is not intended to be a definitive property description.


Open S pace PreserveLawson Expansion

TRAIL P LAN STREAM SERVICE RD EX. PARK T RAILS WILD LILAC MULT I-USE TRAIL - 2.5 miLAWSON CAMPMULTI-USE TRAIL - 0.2 miLAWSON PEAKHIKER O NLY TRAIL - 0.2 mi LAWSON SPRINGS MULTI-USE TRAIL - 0.1 miLAWSON CAMP LOOPHIKER O NLY TRAIL - 0.5 WILD LILAC HIKER O NLY TRAIL - 0.55 miSPIRE POINT HIKER O NLY TRAIL - 300 ft

PRIVATE - NOT PARKLAND

20 Contour 0 400 800 1,600

Feet

'

Attachment #3

Lawson Expansion Property Boundary

Existing Hood Mountain Park & Preserve Boundary

Private - Not Parkland

Data Source:- Sonoma County Regional Parks Property Boundary, trails- Sonoma County ISD GIS - highways, county, aerial imagery 2011, - LiDAR 2013, Sonoma Veg Map

Note: This map is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be a definitive property description.


Open Space PreserveLawson Expansion

Facilities Development Map

STREAMSERVICE RDWILD LILACMULTI-USE TRAIL LAWSON CAMPMULTI-USE TRAILLAWSON PEAKHIKER ONLY TRAIL LAWSON SPRINGSMULTI-USE TRAIL LAWSON CAMP LOOPHIKER ONLY TRAIL WILD LILAC SPURHIKER ONLY TRAIL SPIRE POINTHIKER ONLY TRAIL

RESTROOM PUMP-OUT

SINGLE FAMILY CAMPSITETWO ROOM BUNK HOUSEWITH COMMUNALFRUGAL KITCHEN FACILITIESBACKCOUNTRY HORSE -TROUGH, HIGHLINE, HITCHING POSTINFORMAL PICNIC AREA

INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE

20' Contour0 80 160 320Feet

Attachment #4

NOTICE OF DETERMINATION

To: County Clerk, Sonoma County 2300 County Center Drive, B177 Santa Rosa, California 95403

From: Sonoma County Regional Parks 2300 County Center Drive, Suite 120A Santa Rosa, California 95403

The Sonoma County Regional Parks Department, is filing this Notice of Determination in compliance with §21108 of the Public Resources Code.

Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration – Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve

Lawson Expansion Master Plan

Project Title

2017092026 Karen Davis-Brown 707/565-1359

State Clearinghouse Number Contact Person Area Code / Telephone Number

1450 Pythian Road, USA

Project Location – include country

Santa Rosa Sonoma

Project Location – City Project Location - County

Project Description: The project is approval and implementation of the Hood Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve Lawson Expansion Master Plan, which describes public access improvements, natural resource management activities, ongoing operations and maintenance, and community engagement for two parcels totaling 247 acres that have been added to the existing Hood Mountain Regional Pak and Open Space Preserve. Lawson Expansion trails and facilities will be access through existing park trails and utilizing existing trailhead facilities such as parking, signage, restrooms etc. Proposed improvements include new trail construction; decommissioning of selected existing trails to protect natural and cultural resources, protect habitat, or provide gentler alignments; hike-in camping, hike-in bunkhouse facilities, informal picnic areas, interpretive signage, resource habitat enhancement; and operations and maintenance.

This is to advise that the County of Sonoma has approved the above described project on June 12, 2018 and has made the following determinations regarding the above described project.

1. The project [ will will not] have a significant effect on the environment.

2. An Environmental Impact Report was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA.

A Negative Declaration was prepared for this project pursuant to the provisions of CEQA.

3. Mitigation measures [ were were not] made a condition of the approval of the project.

4. Mitigation reporting or monitoring plan [ was was not] adopted for this project.

5. A Statement of Overriding Considerations [ was was not] adopted for this project.

6. Findings [ were were not] made pursuant to the provisions of CEQA.

This is to certify that the final environmental document, with comments and responses and record of project approval, is available to the general public at the Sonoma County Regional Parks Department main office, 2300 County Drive, Suite 120A, Santa Rosa, CA, 95403.

Title: Karen Davis-Brown, Park Planner II Date: Sonoma County Regional Parks

Attachment #5

p' consent r regular mitigated negative declaration

Documents