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Department of Transportation recommending the Board:
1) Receive the workshop information on implementation of Senate Bill 743 for transportation projects; and
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 088-2021, the El Dorado County Vehicle Miles Traveled Threshold of Significance for Evaluation of Transportation Project Impacts Under the California Environmental Quality Act, that provides direction on the County’s application of the methodology, significance thresholds, mitigation measures, and screening criteria for implementation of Senate Bill 743 for transportation projects.
FUNDING: Road Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
History of SB 743 and Prior Board Action
On September 27, 2013, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 743 (SB 743). SB 743 was originally enacted to address transportation issues related to the development of the Golden One Center in downtown Sacramento. The legislative intent of SB 743 was to 1) ensure that the environmental impacts of traffic, such as noise, air pollution, and safety concerns, continue to be properly addressed and mitigated through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and, 2) more appropriately balance the needs of congestion management with statewide goals related to infill development, promotion of public health through active transportation, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
In January 2019, the Natural Resources Agency finalized updates to the CEQA Guidelines including the incorporation of SB 743 modifications. The guidelines’ changes were approved by the Office of Administrative Law and are now in effect. SB 743 became the required method to review transportation impacts under CEQA beginning on July 1, 2020.
SB 743 changes how transportation impacts are measured under CEQA, from using vehicle level of service (LOS) to using vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Traditionally, transportation impacts have been evaluated by examining whether the project is likely to caus...
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