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6.0 Significant Unavoidable Environmental Effects/Irreversible Changes <br />Avion Project SEIR <br />Page 6-2 <br />project. Irretrievable commitments of resources should be evaluated to assure that <br />such current consumption is justified. <br />As described in the 1998 Subarea Plan EIR, the most prominent irreversible environmental change <br />associated with the project would be the conversion of undeveloped land to urbanized uses. The <br />conversion of undeveloped land to urbanized uses would be a permanent change because reversion <br />of the land to its original condition would be nearly impossible once construction is complete. <br />Besides the commitment of land to urban use, implementation of the project would also involve the <br />consumption of natural resources as well as energy derived from non-renewable sources, such as <br />fossil fuels. Non-renewable resources generally include biological habitat, agricultural land, mineral <br />deposits, water bodies, and some energy sources. As disclosed in the 1998 EIR, buildout of the Black <br />Mountain Ranch Community including implementation of the project would result in significant <br />irreversible impacts on agricultural and or mineral resources. <br />Implementation of the project would also require the irreversible consumption of natural resources <br />and energy. Natural resource consumption would include lumber and other forest products, sand <br />and gravel, asphalt, steel, copper, other metals, and water. Building materials, while perhaps <br />recyclable in part at some long-term future date, would for practical purposes be considered <br />permanently consumed. Energy derived from non-renewable sources, such as fossil fuels, would be <br />consumed during construction and operational lighting, heating, cooling, and transportation uses. <br />To minimize the use of energy, water, and other natural resources, the project would incorporate <br />sustainable building practices into the site, architectural and landscape designs. As described in the <br />1998 EIR, design considerations aimed at improving energy efficiency, reducing landfill waste, and <br />conserving water (e.g., utilizing recycled water; on-site collection and reuse of construction <br />materials, etc.) have been incorporated into the overall Black Mountain Ranch Community and may <br />serve to reduce irreversible water, energy, and building material consumption associated with <br />construction and occupation of the project. <br />The project would not introduce any long-term risks to human health or safety. The residential units <br />would be constructed according to all applicable regulations and standards to avoid unnecessary or <br />unusual risks and accidents.