The Proposed Project consists of 40 acres of land in the San Jacinto Mountains. The site is within a Conservation Area for peninsular bighorn sheep, as defined by the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan. The property has been an orchard in the past, and has been subjected to extensive illegal dumping. The main goal of this project is the removal of solid waste and potentially hazardous materials form the site and the restoration of the native habitat on the property. The illegally dumped materials on the property will be removed, and the site restored to its natural condition by qualified professionals.
The project qualifies as a CE exemption pursuant to Guidelines Section 15808, 15313, and 15330 because it will protect the environment on an down gradient of the site; will restore and conserve the property for wildlife habitat, including the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep; and will stabilize and mitigate previous illegal dumping of household waste oil drums and other materials occurring on the property at this time.
