MTC Releases ‘Plan Bay Area 2050’ Draft EIR

California’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) have issued a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Plan Bay Area 2050.

This proposed long-range plan not only charts the course for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area region (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano and Sonoma counties), but also expands on prior plans, examining the themes of economic development and environmental resilience. It outlines 35 integrated strategies across the economy, housing, transportation and the environment to “provide a blueprint for how the Bay Area can accommodate future growth and make the region more equitable and resilient in the face of unexpected challenges, while achieving regional GHG [greenhouse-gas] emissions reduction targets established by the California Air Resources Board (CARB),” according to ABAG and MTC, the region’s transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency.

Sacramento, Calif.-based Ascent Environmental, Inc., prepared the newly released Draft EIR, in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act. It assesses and identifies the potential environmental impacts of implementing Draft Plan Bay Area 2050, “including its housing and economic strategies to accommodate forecasted regional growth, its transportation strategies to invest expected forecasted transportation revenues, and its environmental strategies to protect the region from expected sea level rise inundation.” It also recommends measures to mitigate any significant adverse impacts and analyzes alternatives. Public comment is open until July 20.

Following the public review and comment period, a Final EIR will be prepared. MTC and ABAG this fall will consider certifying the Final EIR and adopting the proposed Plan Bay Area 2050.