June 12, 2024
El Dorado County Board of Supervisors
Atten: Wendy Thomas
El Dorado County
2850 Fairlane Court
Placerville, CA 95667
Re: Texas Hill Reservoir ((File No.Z24-0002/GPA24-0001) – Draft EIR review period
Dear Supervisor Thomas,
On June 11th, 2024 during open forum, I requested an extension of the review period of the Texas Hill Reservoir project Draft EIR.
The Review period from May 6, 2024 to June 4, 2024 was not sufficient for a project of this magnitude, especially with the potential impact it could have on the local community. In addition, many of our community members are on vacation and have not had adequate time to respond.
While the overall project looks like a minor amendment to the General Plan by changing the use designation of the 120 parcels from open space to residential, this change will have a significant impact on the local traffic, air quality, water, and other resources in the area.
I would like to see the BOS extend the review period from the minimum of 30 days and give the concerned citizens in the surrounding area 120 days to study the impact this will have on our local community and respond during the public review period.
CEQA Public Review Requirements
Under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, section 15105, subd. (a), the
“public review period for a draft EIR should not be less than 30 days nor longer than 60 days except in
unusual circumstances.” Further, “[w]hen a draft EIR is submitted to the State Clearinghouse for review
by state agencies, the public review period shall not be less than 45 days, unless a shorter period, not less
than 30 days, is approved by the State Clearinghouse.” In addition, the California Endangered Species
Act (CESA) implementing regulations for a certified regulatory program under CEQA require CDFG to
provide a minimum 30-day public review period. (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 783.5, subd. (d)(2)(A); see
also Pub. Resources Code, § 21080.5; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15251, subd. (o).) The original 60-day
public comment period for the Draft EIS/EIR exceeded all of these requirements.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Regards,
Larry Rolla
Diamond Springs / El Dorado Community Coalition