Environmental Impact Report

Arcata General Plan Update Environmental Impact Report

At its July 17, 2024 meeting, the Arcata City Council adopted Resolution No. 234-47, certifying the new Arcata General Plan 2045 and Gateway Code Environmental Impact Report (EIR). 

Adopting General Plan updates and new zoning codes is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). This webpage contains information on the environmental review process, including all notices and reports, as well as the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), associated with the General Plan update and Gateway Code adoption.

The CEQA process for this action resulted in three documents that, together, satisfy the requirements of environmental review. There is a Draft EIR, a Final EIR, and a Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations. The purpose of each document is summarized below. For more extensive reading, follow the links below to read each.

Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations 

The Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations establishes the Council’s legal basis for certifying the EIR. The Findings of Fact are specific statements the Council must adopt based on the whole of the record before they can certify the EIR. 

Because there are environmental impacts that cannot be mitigated to a level below significance, the Council must also adopt findings that the benefits of the project outweigh the environmental impacts of the project. The EIR found that there will be impacts to air quality and historic resources that cannot be reduced to less than significant. The Statement of Overriding Considerations states that meeting the objectives of the General Plan in terms of social justice, racial equity, housing, economic growth, and alternative transportation policy, to name a few, outweighs the impacts to air quality and historic resources. 

Lastly, this document formally adopts the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program that is outlined in the Final EIR (discussed below). 

Final Environmental Impact Report 

The Final EIR discloses and responds to comments received during the comment period on the Draft EIR received during the comment period; revises the Draft EIR through Errata; Provides and summarizes the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. 

The Final EIR incorporates the Draft EIR by reference. It does not replace the Draft EIR. Together, the Draft EIR and Final EIR provide the disclosure and public engagement requirements established by CEQA.

Draft Environmental Impact Report 

The Draft EIR provides public disclosure on the potential environmental impacts, the proposed mitigation measures, and an assessment of alternatives, among other requirements of CEQA. The City accepted public comment on the Draft EIR during the circulation period starting January 31 January 26, 2024, and ending March 18, 2024. The circulation period has closed, but you can still provide comment to the decision makers before they take action on the EIR. Send correspondence to:

General Plan EIR

ATTN: David Loya, Director

736 F Street, Arcata, CA 95521

Or email to dloya@cityofarcata.org with subject line General Plan EIR

The Draft EIR was based on the December 12, 2023, version of the General Plan and the January 31, 2024, version of the Gateway Code. There are minor amendments that are being considered for each of these documents that do not affect the environmental review. The current versions of the documents can be found on the General Plan page and the Gateway Area Plan and Gateway Code page.

Notices

Notice of Completion January 26, 2024

Notice of Availability (revised) January 25, 2024

Notice of Availability published January 24, 2024

Notice of Preparation February 2, 2022

Mad River Union Proof of Publication - Planning Commission May 14, 2024

Mad River Union Proof of Publication - City Council May 29, 2024 (1)

Mad River Union Proof of Publication - City Council May 29, 2024 (2)

Mad River Union Proof of Publication - City Council June 5, 2024

Documents Evaluated by the EIR