2.10.030 Limits of mitigation.
Since no two projects are exactly alike, levels of project mitigation will be determined on a case-by- case basis. Initial mitigative measures will be developed by the Project Manager during early project development, and reviewed by Commission division management and Policy Review Group (PRG) members for appropriateness as the project progresses. The Policy Review Group is made up of individuals from the executive, legislative and planning branches of the county governments, as well as Commission staff.
(a) The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) defines “mitigation” to include:
(1) Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action.
(2) Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation.
(3) Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the impacted environment.
(4) Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action.
(5) Compensating for the impact by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments.
(b) With this definition of mitigation in mind, it is Commission policy that:
(1) Mitigative measures requested by community groups be considered by the project team and PRG as early as possible in the project planning/design phase.
(2) Costs be a consideration in the broad range of mitigation options available. Commission experience has shown that when we provide substitute resources or environments to compensate for project impacts, cost need not be excessive.
(3) The actual extent of mitigative measures will be determined by such things as the time period and extent of construction disruption, the nature of any temporary disruption (impacts on streams and wetlands, noise, dust, off-hours work, etc.), and any negative impact that might be placed on a community by the construction of a new permanent facility. (GM 94-01)