[News Release] – The Hart School District has released a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (DSEIR) on the proposed Castaic High School project and the public has 45 days to review and comment on the project.

Groundbreaking, May 2013

A Supplemental EIR is the planning document which describes the environmental impacts associated changes to the project since the original EIR was certified. The original EIR for the Castaic High School project was certified in October 2012. The Supplemental EIR discusses the impacts associated with changes related to grading including air quality, geology and hydrology, and the location of biological mitigation sites, and also describes mitigation measures required to reduce potential impacts to an appropriate or acceptable level.

To view the Draft Supplemental EIR visit: http://hartdistrict.org/index.php/schools/castaic-high-school/1541. It is also available for review at the Hart School District Office, Castaic Public Library, Stevenson Ranch Express Library, and Sloan Canyon Christian Academy.

Written comments, pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 15105(a), will be accepted between April 4, 2014 and May 19, 2014 at 5 pm and can be mailed or dropped off to: Wm. S. Hart Union High School District, Attn: Ben Rodriguez, 21380 Centre Pointe Pkwy., Santa Clarita, CA 91350. Comments can also be sent by email to brodriguez@hartdistrict.org : include “Castaic High School” in the subject line. For more information contact Ben Rodriguez at 661.259.0033 x252.

Once the public comment is complete a Final Supplemental EIR will be prepared and submitted to the Hart School Board for consideration and certification. It is anticipated that the Final Supplemental EIR would be submitted to the Hart School Board for certification in mid-summer 2014.

The projected opening of Castaic High School is August 2016, to ninth graders only, then adding a grade each year until grades 9-12 are on campus. Local voters overwhelmingly supported Measure SA, a $300 million bond measure in 2008, which in part has paid for acquisition and construction of the school site.

“The Hart School District is committed to the good stewardship of the high school site during construction and following build out,” Rob Challinor, Superintendent said.” We are dedicated to providing the citizens of Castaic with a state-of-the-art high school, while being mindful of the environmental impact to the Castaic area and our neighbors.”