The California Department of Fish and Wildlife released the Draft Additional Environmental Analysis for the Newhall Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan and Spineflower Conservation Plan Final Environmental Impact Report on Thursday.

The additional analysis is in response to revisions made after the California Supreme Court approved all but two elements of the EIR in November 2015. The release of the additional analysis opens a 60-day public comment period.

The development plan has been revised to respond to the two issues raised by the Supreme Court. The additional environmental analysis released today examines whether the revised project design and construction of proposed bridges would result in harm or other significant adverse effects to the unarmored three spine stickleback, a native fish protected under state and federal law.

The additional environmental analysis also examines whether the revised project would result in significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emission impacts. The revised project is designed to achieve net zero GHG emissions with the implementation of mitigation measures intended to reduce, mitigate and offset 100 percent of GHG emissions.

The California Air Resources Board reviewed the revised project and concluded that there is an adequate basis to determine it does not result in any net additional GHG emissions.

The additional environmental analysis is available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/regions/5/newhall. Written comments will be accepted by CDFW through Friday, Jan. 6, 2017 (including additional days to account for the holidays). Written comments sent by regular mail should be sent to:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Comments on Newhall Ranch Draft AEA

c/o Betty Courtney

3883 Ruffin Road

San Diego, CA 92123

Written comments sent by email should be sent to newhallranch@wildlife.ca.gov. Please put “Comments on Newhall Ranch Draft AEA” in the subject line.