The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has prepared the Draft and Final
Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) as a lead
agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (Corps) is acting as a co-lead agency for the Draft and Final EIS/EIR
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Draft and Final EIS/EIR
analyzes and describes the environmental impacts that may result with implementation
of the Newhall Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan (RMDP) and the Spineflower
Conservation Plan (SCP). The RMDP and SCP serve as the applications by the Newhall Land
and Farming Company (Newhall Land) to the DFG for various permits and agreements
required under the California Fish and Game Code for Newhall Land to develop the
Newhall Ranch Specific Plan. The documents can be viewed at:
http://www.dfg.ca.gov/regions/5/newhall/
The Newhall Ranch project consumes 11,963 acres and is transected by the Santa Clara River (the last unchannelized river in Los Angeles County and the major drinking water supply for the communities along its course). The project will convert 1490 acres of cultivated farmland and 595 acres of prime farm land to urban use, a significant impact for which there is no mitigation. It will have significant adverse impacts on traffic congestion and air pollution.
This project will single-handedly change the character of the Santa Clarita Valley.
Most environmental organizations have already had this project on their work lists for many months due to its severe environmental impacts to air and water quality, the ecosystem of the Santa Clara River, and the fight against urban sprawl.