Laserfiche WebLink
Santa Ana General Plan Update <br />CEQA Findings of Fact and Statement <br />Of Overriding Considerations -32- October 2021 <br />above. The City of Santa Ana hereby finds that implementation of the mitigation measures is <br />feasible, and the measures are therefore adopted. <br />4. Geology and Soils <br />Impact 5.6-4: Future development that would be accommodated by the General Plan <br />Update could impact known and unknown paleontological resources. <br />Paleontological resources are recognized as nonrenewable and therefore receive protection <br />under the California Public Resources Code and CEQA. Adoption of the GPU in itself will not <br />directly affect paleontological resources. Long-term implementation of the GPU land use plan <br />could allow development (e.g., infill development, redevelopment, and revitalization/restoration), <br />including grading, of known and unknown sensitive areas. Grading and construction activities of <br />undeveloped areas or redevelopment that requires more intensive soil excavation than in the past <br />could potentially disturb paleontological resources. Therefore, future development that would be <br />accommodated by the GPU could potentially unearth previously unrecorded resources. Review <br />and protection of paleontological resources are also afforded by CEQA for individual development <br />projects that would be accommodated by the GPU, subject to discretionary actions that are <br />implemented in accordance with the land use plan of the GPU. Fossil localities have been found <br />in the vicinity of the plan area, although not in the plan area itself. <br />Mitigation Measures GEO-1 through GEO-3 prescribe requirements for monitoring based on the <br />sensitivity of sites for paleontological resources. Under GEO-1, areas that range from high to low <br />sensitivity are required to prepare a Paleontological Resources Monitoring and Mitigation Plan. <br />With adherence to mitigation measures GEO-1 through GEO-3, Impact 5.6-4 would be less than <br />significant. <br />Mitigation Measures <br />GEO-1 High Sensitivity. Projects involving ground disturbances in previously undisturbed <br />areas mapped as having “high” paleontological sensitivity shall be monitored by a <br />qualified paleontological monitor on a full-time basis. Monitoring shall include <br />inspection of exposed sedimentary units during active excavations within sensitive <br />geologic sediments. The monitor shall have authority to temporarily divert activity away <br />from exposed fossils to evaluate the significance of the find and, if the fossils are <br />determined to be significant, professionally and efficiently recover the fossil specimens <br />and collect associated data. The paleontological monitor shall use field data forms to <br />record pertinent location and geologic data, measure stratigraphic sections (if <br />applicable), and collect appropriate sediment samples from any fossil localities. <br />GEO-2 Low-to-High Sensitivity. Prior to issuance of a grading permit for projects involving <br />ground disturbance in previously undisturbed areas mapped with “low-to-high” <br />paleontological sensitivity, the project applicant shall consult with a geologist or <br />paleontologist to confirm whether the grading would occur at depths that could <br />encounter highly sensitive sediments for paleontological resources. If confirmed that