Norco City Council
October 21, 2026

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POLICIES
LUCC-1.1 Residential Agricultural Preservation. Existing Residential Agricultural (RA) designated parcels shall not be redesignated or rezoned for higher intensity residential uses, except for parcels subject to the Housing Development Overlay (HDO).

LUCC-1.2 Residential Open Space. Encourage residential open areas at a scale that encourages agricultural and animal-keeping uses.

LUCC-1.3 Equestrian Ranch Lot Consolidation Incentives. Consider incentives (e.g., increased animal unit allowances for larger lots and streamlined approval processes for caretaker units) to encourage the merger of vacant lots with adjacent residential lots that already permit animal keeping with the intent to promote larger equestrian ranches.

LUCC-1.4 Commercial-Residential Separation. Keep commercial development and traffic routes as separate as possible from single-family residential neighborhoods.

LUCC-1.5 Protection of Animal-Keeping Areas. Ensure that new homes built on vacant parcels and owner-initiated improvements and additions to private homes, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), maintain required animal-keeping areas and preserve the right to keep animals.

LUCC-1.6 Primary Animal-Keeping Area (PAKA) Requirements. Ensure all new lots in singlefamily residential zones have a recorded Primary Animal-Keeping Area (PAKA) to preserve an adequate area of open space for animal-keeping and provide adequate access to the rear yard.

GOAL LUCC-2: COMMUNITY CHARACTER. New development in the city should be designed to contribute to Norco’s small-town scale, character, and agrarian architectural stlye.

POLICIES
LUCC-2.1 Agrarian Development Standards. Maintain and update, as needed, objective development standards for the different areas of the city, that guide the design of buildings that highlight Norco’s agrarian architectural style and consider surrounding development and land use.

LUCC-2.2 Agrarian Architectural Design. New development in the city should incorporate agrarian architectural features and building style, the level of which will be determined based on the location of a building, the type of construction, and the use of a building.
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LUCC-2.3 Neighborhood Blight and Nuisance Conditions. In coordination with community members, enforce against safety hazards, visual blight, and public nuisance conditions as defined in the Norco Municipal Code.

LUCC-2.4 Equestrian Amenities in Commercial Areas. Include equestrian amenities, such as corals, watering troughs, and hitching posts, where commercial and office development meant for general public access adjoins pedestrian-equestrian trails, or have trails easily accessible to the site.

LUCC-2.5 Commercial-Residential Buffering. Commercial development proposed in areas that adjoin residential development shall provide adequate buffering by landscaping, screening, or open space. Height limits, as established in the Norco Municipal Code and Objective Development Standards, shall be implemented in all non-residential zones so as to protect the privacy and solar access on adjacent residential lots.

LUCC-2.6 Mixed-Use Development. Ensure that mixed-use projects in commercial and mixed-use designated areas do not adversely impact animal-keeping properties.

LUCC-2.7 High-Quality Commercial Development. Promote the development of high quality commercial and public facilities, consistent with the Objective Development Standards. Require landscaping, maintenance, and permanent upkeep on all new development.

LUCC-2.8 View-Sensitive Industrial Development. New office, research, and industrial projects shall be developed in accordance with the Norco Municipal Code and Objective Development Standards to minimize encroachment into expansive views of the horizon.

LUCC-2.9 Commercial and Industrial Revitalization. Encourage the rehabilitation of existing substandard blighted commercial and industrial uses through the combined efforts of private and public sectors to revitalize and upgrade aesthetic and functional deficiencies.

LUCC-2.10 Context-Sensitive Signage. Freestanding signage shall be kept at a minimum and shall be designed to match building architecture with the incorporation of agrarian design features. Signage that does occur (exclusive of pylon and pole signs) shall be low in profile to preclude unnecessary clutter along the city’s visual corridors.

LUCC-2.11 Outdoor Storage Regulations. Outdoor storage, as established in the Norco Municipal Code, shall only be permitted in appropriate zones and only as an ancillary use to an otherwise permitted land use and in the appropriate zoning district. Land uses for which parking and/or outdoor storage is the primary use fil'~~ - CITY or NORCO
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shall not be permitted, or shall be substantially controlled through architectural and landscaping design.

LUCC-2.12 Compatible School Design. Collaborate with the Corona-Norco Unified School District to facilitate school site improvements (e.g., building design, fencing, signage, landscape) that align with and complement the visual character of surrounding neighborhoods.

GOAL LUCC-5: COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS. Corridors bearing the Commercial General (CG) Designation will feature pedestrian-scaled site and building design that embody, celebrate, and further Norco’s core values and are consistent with the City of Norco’s Objective Development Standards.

POLICIES
LUCC-5.1 Building and Site Design Standards. Design new development along Hamner Avenue and applicable parcels along River Road in accordance with the City of Norco’s Objective Development Standards to ensure new buildings, and their siting and landscaping, are consistent with Norco’s agrarian architectural style.

LUCC-5.3 Monumental Art. At gateway locations, provide iconic buildings, landscape, monumentation, signage, and public art installations that announce entry into the city and highlight Norco’s core values.

LUCC-5.4 Public Realm Improvements. Introduce public realm improvements that promote Norco’s character along Hamner Avenue and River Road. Key components include:
• Missing Sidewalks. Require that new development introduce missing sidewalks along the length of the parcel’s frontage along the street. • Missing Trails. Require that new development introduce missing pedesgtrianequestrian trails through the development and/or along the length of the parcel’s frontage along the street.
• Thematic Streetscape Elements. Display thematic imagery that celebrates and reinforces Norco’s core values (e.g., lighting, shade structures, kiosks, paving, banners, wayfinding signage, painted utility cabinets, public art). • Tree Canopy. Expand the tree canopy along Hamner Avenue and River Road, both in the public right-of-way and on private property.

GOAL LUCC-6: SIXTH STREET CORRIDOR. The City will preserve Sixth Street’s distinctive character and continue to attract businesses that support the day-to-day needs of Norco residents. fil'~~ - CITY or NORCO
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POLICIES
LUCC-6.1 Placemaking Priority Areas. Infill vacant parcels and continue to evolve naturallyoccurring concentrations of neighborhood- and lifestyle-supporting businesses, services, and amenities along Sixth Street into more defined, active, and walkable environments that enable new and existing businesses to leverage the value of their proximity to one another and their exposure to high daily traffic volumes along the corridor.

LUCC-6.2 Preservation of Sixth Street’s Visual Character. Preserve and enhance Sixth Street’s character-defining pedestrian-equestrian trails, white split-rail fences, large canopy trees, and red, white, and blue street striping.

LUCC-6.3 Building and Site Design Standards. Design new development along Sixth Street in accordance with the City of Norco’s Objective Development Standards to ensure new buildings and their siting and landscaping are consistent with Norco’s character.

LUCC-6.6 Adaptive Reuse of Single-Family Houses. Continue to promote adaptive reuse of existing single-family houses for commercial purposes on commercially zoned lots that face Sixth Street and side streets. As practical, integrate single-family houses that accommodate restaurants, coffee shops, retail, and similar businesses into Sixth Street Placemaking Priority Areas.

LUCC-6.8 Expanded Tree Canopy. Preserve, maintain, and enhance Sixth Street’s existing tree canopy, planting new trees in accordance with the City’s Urban Forest Specifications and Standards where gaps in the canopy exist, particularly at Placemaking Priority Areas.

LUCC-6.9 Public Realm Improvements. Introduce traffic calming, streetscape, branding, and other public realm improvements along the Sixth Street to improve safety outcomes, attract new neighborhood and lifestyle-supporting business, and enhance Sixth Street’s equestrian-oriented public realm character.

GOAL OSC-5: SCENIC ELEMENTS WITHIN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT. The City will identify and promote the maintenance and enhancement of scenic elements within the built environment, including distinct buildings, landscape, and public art.

POLICY
OSC-5.1 Design Strategies. Employ a range of design strategies to maintain and enhance the scenic value of the built environment, such as site planning that considers the surrounding context, articulated building form and materials, streetscape design, undergrounding and screening of utilities, and equestrian-sensitive design. fil'~~ - CITY or NORCO
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Conformance with the policies discussed above would ensure that new developments take into consideration surrounding uses, and utilize building techniques and materials that relate to the City of Norco’s climate and setting. Although visual character would change throughout the city with new development, the change would be consistent with existing surroundings or enhanced, and would not be degraded. As future projects are planned, they would adhere to the applicable policies and regulations. Therefore, potential impacts to visual character associated with the 2050 GPU would be lesss than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold d. Would the project create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area? Less than Significant Impact. The 2050 GPU would facilitate development that would generate new sources of light or glare within the Planning Area. Future development consistent with the 2050 GPU would result in the development of currently vacant parcels and the alteration, intensification, and redistribution of existing land uses which may result in new light and glare generating sources that could affect day and nighttime views.

Within the city limits, the majority of land is developed, and daytime and nighttime skies are already affected to a limited extent by light and glare. Most of the proposed 2050 GPU land use designations would be consistent with existing conditions. However, intensified development would be accommodated in some areas. Building materials and outdoor lighting used in the development or redevelopment of residential, commercial, industrial, or public/semi-public uses would have the potential to result in new sources of glare and/or lighting.

Although the 2050 GPU encourages infill development and redevelopment, locations that could see the greatest increase in development when compared to existing conditions would be the commercial corridors. The development of these areas could introduce a substantial amount of new light sources and glare-inducing building materials. In this future growth under the 2050 GPU, the potential types, densities, and intensities of new development are not yet determined.

The following Land Use and Community Character Element policy, Policy LUCC-8: Lighting, would ensure that impacts as a result of light and glare are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized to the fullest extent feasible in conjunction with future development:

Policy LUCC-1.8: Lighting. Consider adoption of an outdoor lighting ordinance that incorporates “dark sky” principles—i.e., All light should have a clear purpose, be directed only to where it is needed, be no brighter than necessary, be used only when useful, and display warmer colors where possible.
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All future development projects would be required to comply with 2050 GPU policies and regulations that concern light and glare, including lighting standards for each zoning designation provided in the City’s Municipal Code.
2 In addition to guidance provided by the 2050 GPU Goals and Policies, the City’s Municipal Code Chapter 15.12 “Security and Safety Standards” provides lighting standards regulating energy efficiency, position, maximium illumination, and other parameters of lighting fixtures throughout the city.
3 Adherence to the above-mentioned policy
and City Municipal Code would ensure that new light sources associated with development of the 2050 GPU are directed only in the area where it is needed and does not adversely affect nighttime views. As future projects are planned, conformance with applicable policies and regulations would ensure light or glare impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.
2 City of Norco. “Title 18 Zoning.” Municipal Code. Accessed May 2026. https://ecode360.com/48454659#48454659.
3 City of Norco. “Chapter 15.12 Security and Safety Standards.” Norco Municipal Code. Accessed April 2026. https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Norco/#!/Norco15/Norco1512.html. ~~117'"'•

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4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
This section describes the current agricultural and forestry conditions in and around the City of Norco and evaluates the potential effects of the proposed 2050 General Plan Update (GPU), on agricultural lands, lands under a Williamson Act Contract, forest lands, and lands zoned for timberland production.
a. Existing Conditions

1. Soils
Soils in Norco are predominantly alluvial, reflecting the city’s location adjacent to the Santa Ana River in the north and within its broader watershed. These sandy and loamy soils support the City’s Residential Agricultural land use pattern, including horse trails, corrals, and unpaved shoulders. Along the Santa Ana River corridor, soil allows groundwater to recharge, support habitats, and accommodate the floodplain.

Soils resources are important in areas of high agricultural production, or areas that have the potential for agricultural production. Classification of soils are important in determining appropriate irrigation, planting, and farming practices for various crops and also for determining appropriate areas for wildlife habitat and land use planning. However, Norco is not a community based on large agri-businesses. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has identified over 40 different soil types within Norco alone, which have been grouped into classifications of soil, provided in Class I through Class VIII, and described in further detail below:
• Class I: Soils have few limitations that restrict their use. • Class II, III, and IV: Soils have limitations ranging from moderate to very severe that restrict the choice of plants.
• Class VI and VII: Soils have limitations ranging from severe to very severe that make them unsuitable for cultivation.
• Class VIII: Soils have limitations that restrict their use to water supply, recreation, wildlife, or aesthetic purposes.

Class II-IV soils comprise the majority of the city and are broadly distributed throughout the central and developed portions of the city. Class VI-VII soils are generally concentrated along the northern edges along the Santa Ana River front and portions of the city in the east and southeast; while a small pocket of Class I soils are located centrally within city limits.

2. Water
Norco lies within a hot semi-arid region that receives limited rainfall and little perennial surface water. While the Santa Ana River has perennial flow, much of this flow consists of treated wastewater and urban runoff.
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3. Agricultural Lands
The California State Division of Land Resource Protection Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP) produces Important Farmland Maps, which are a hybrid of resource quality (soils), land use information maps, and statistical data, are used for analyzing impacts to California’s agricultural resources. There are several classifications of farmland, including the following identified as comprising important farmlands under CEQA, Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, and Unique Farmland.
• Prime Farmland has the best combination of physical and chemical features able to sustain long-term agricultural production. Prime Farmland has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields. Land must have been used for irrigated agriculture production at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.
• Farmland of Statewide Importance is similar to Prime Farmland, but with minor shortcomings, such as steeper slopes or less ability to store moisture. Land must have been used for irrigated agricultural production at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.
• Unique Farmland consists of lesser quality soils used for the production of the State’s leading agricultural crops. This land is usually irrigated but may include non-irrigated orchards or vineyards as found in some climatic zones in California. Land must have been farmed at some time during the four years prior to the mapping date.

According to the California State Division of Land Resource Protection FMMP, there are no lands designated as Farmland of Statewide Importance or Unique Farmland in the City of Norco.1 As shown in Figure 4.2-1, Farmland Mapping, most of the city is designated as Urban and Built-Up Land, which is occupied by structures with a building intensity of at least 1 unit to 1.5 acres, or approximately 6 structures to a 10-acre parcel; and Other Land, which is land not included in any other mapping category, such as low density rural developments and vacant and nonagricultural land surrounding on all sides by urban development and greater than 40 acres.

Small areas outside of the northern and northwestern boundary of the city, adjacent to the Santa Ana River, are designated as Farmland of Local Importance, which is land of importance to the agricultural economy as determined by each county’s board of supervisors and a local advisory committee.
1 California Department of Conservation. “California Important Farmland Finder.” 2022. Accessed April 2026. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/CIFF/.
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FIGURE 4.2-1, FARMLAND MAPPING

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4.2 AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY RESOURCES
SOURCE: California Department of Conservation, California Important Farmland Finder – 2026. PAGE 4.2.3 Norco
+ Q Find address or place
00 fil~ lft]® CITY or NORCO
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Legend
California Important Farmland: Most
Recent
Most Recent
Polygon Type
Prime Farmland
Farmland of Statewide Importance
Unique Farmland
Grazing Land
Farmland of Local Importance
Farmland of Local Potential
Other Land
Confined Animal Agriculture
Nonagricultural or Natural Vegetation
Vacant or Disturbed Land
Rural Residential Land
Semi-agricultural and Rural Commercial
Land
Urban and Built-Up Land
Water Area
Irrigated Farmland
Nonirrigated Farmland

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b. Regulatory Setting

1. State
California General Plan Law
The California Government Code (§ 65302(d)) requires the general plan to include an open space and conservation element for the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources—including water and its hydraulic force, forests, soils, rivers and other waters, harbors, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, and other natural resources. The conservation element must consider the effect of development on natural resources that are on public lands. The element must also cover:
• The reclamation of land and waters.
• Prevention and control of the pollution of streams and other waters. • Regulation of the use of land for the accomplishment of the conservation plan. • Prevention, control, and correction of the erosion of soils, beaches, and shores. • Protection of watersheds.
• Location, quantity, and quality of the rock, sand, and gravel resources. • Waterways, flood corridors, riparian habitats, and land that may accommodate floodwater for groundwater recharge and stormwater management.

In October 2017, the State legislature passed SB 732, which authorizes a city to develop an agricultural land component of the open space element or a separate agricultural element in its general plan. For local governments that choose this option, the bill authorizes the Department of Conservation to award grants, bond proceeds, and other assistance provided the element meets certain requirements.

Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP)
The California Natural Resources Agency is charged with restoring, protecting, and maintaining the State’s natural, cultural, and historical resources. Within it, the State Department of Conservation (DOC) provides technical services and information to promote informed land use decisions and sound management of the State’s natural resources. DOC manages the Farmland Mapping and Monitoring Program (FMMP), which supports agriculture throughout California by developing maps and statistical data for analyzing land use impacts on farmland. Every two years, FMMP publishes a field report for each county in the State. Descriptions of classifications of farmland Prime Farmland, Farmland of Statewide Importance, and Unique Farmland are discussed previously. Other classifications of farmland included in the FMMP are provided below:
• Farmland of Local Importance includes all farmable land not meeting the definitions of “prime farmland,” “farmland of statewide importance,” and “unique farmland” and not fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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irrigated. This includes land that is not covered by above categories but is of high economic importance to the community. These farmlands include dryland grains of wheat, barley, oats, and dryland pasture.
• Grazing Land is the land on which the existing vegetation is suited to the grazing of livestock.
• Confined Animal Agriculture lands include poultry facilities, feedlots, dairy facilities, and fish farms. In some counties, confined animal agriculture is a component of the farmland of local importance category.
• Nonagricultural and Natural Vegetation includes heavily wooded, rocky, or barren areas; riparian and wetland areas; grassland areas that do not qualify for grazing land due to their size or land management restrictions; small water bodies; and recreational water ski lakes. Constructed wetlands are also included in this category. • Semi-Agricultural and Rural Commercial Land includes farmstead, agricultural storage and packing sheds, unpaved parking areas, composting facilities, equine facilities, firewood lots, and campgrounds.
• Vacant or Disturbed Land includes open field areas that do not qualify for an agricultural category, mineral and oil extraction areas, off-road vehicle areas, electrical substations, channelized canals, and rural freeway interchanges.
• Rural Residential Land includes residential areas of one to five structures per 10 acres. • Urban and Built-Up Land is occupied by structures with a building density of at least one unit per 1.5 acres, or approximately six structures to a 10-acre parcel. Common examples include residential structures, industrial structures, commercial structures, institutional facilities, cemeteries, airports, golf courses, sanitary landfills, sewage treatment structures, and water control structures.
• Water is used to describe perennial water bodies with an extent of at least 40 acres.

California Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act)
The California Land Conservation Act of 1965, better known as the Williamson Act, conserves agricultural and open space lands through property tax incentives and voluntary restrictive land use contracts administered by local governments under State regulations. Private landowners voluntarily restrict their land to agricultural and compatible open space uses under minimum 10-year rolling term contracts, with counties and cities also acting voluntarily. In return, restricted parcels are assessed for property tax purposes at a rate consistent with their actual use, rather than potential market value.

Nonrenewal status is applied to Williamson Act contracts that are within the nine-year termination process, during which the annual tax assessment for the property gradually increases.
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4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Forestland and Timberland Protection
State regulations such as the Forest Taxation Reform Act of 1976 and the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (California Forest Practice Act) provide for the preservation of forest lands from encroachment by other, incompatible land uses and for oversight of the management of forest practices and forest resources.

Public Resources Code Section 12220(g) defines “forest land” for the purposes of CEQA as land that can support 10-percent native tree cover of any species, including hardwoods, under natural conditions, and that allows for management of one or more forest resources, including timber, aesthetics, fish and wildlife, biodiversity, water-quality, recreation, and other public benefits.

The California Timberland Productivity Act of 1982, like the Land Conservation Act, was passed to encourage the production of timber resources. Government Code Section 51104(g) defines “Timber,” “Timberland,” and “Timberland Production Zone” for the purposes of CEQA and “Timberland Preserve Zone,” which may be used in city and county general plans. • “Timber” means trees of any species maintained for eventual harvest for forest production purposes, whether planted or of natural growth, standing or down, on privately or publicly owned land, including Christmas trees, but does not mean nursery stock. • “Timberland” means privately owned land, or land acquired for State forest purposes, which is devoted to and used for growing and harvesting timber, or for growing and harvesting timber and compatible uses, and which is capable of growing an average annual volume of wood fiber of at least 15 cubic feet per acre.
• “Timberland Production Zone” or “TPZ” means an area which has been zoned pursuant to Section 51112 or 51113 and is devoted to and used for growing and harvesting timber, or for growing and harvesting timber and compatible uses, as defined in subdivision (h). With respect to the general plans of cities and counties, “Timberland Preserve Zone” means “Timberland Production Zone.”
County boards of supervisors may designate areas of timberland preserve, referred to as Timberland Production Zones, which restrict the land’s use to the production of timber for an initial 10-year term in return for lower property taxes.

2. Local
Agricultural, Animal-Keeping Lifestyle
The City is committed to preserving the right of residents to keep animals and engage in agricultural activities on their property. The community has formally recognized the desire to protect and preserve this lifestyle through key legislative actions, including the adoption of the City Charter on November 4, 2003, and the approval of Measure R on November 6, 2018. Most Norco residents live on half-acre lots zoned for residential agriculture (RA), designed to support farming, gardening, food production, and animal keeping. These properties often include deedfil'~li]m CITY or NORCO 2050 GENERAL PLAN

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restricted Primary Animal Keeping Areas (PAKAs), enabling residents to keep horses, raise livestock, and care for a variety of animals alongside small-plot agricultural practices. PAKAs govern the minimum area of a site that must be devoted to animal-keeping and/or agricultural uses and must be kept clear of permanent structures that are not for animal-keeping purposes. c. Methodology
This section describes the potential environmental impacts of the proposed Project relevant to Agriculture and Forestry resources. This impact analysis evaluates implementation of the 2050 GPU against the current conditions of land within the city based on a review of California Department of Conservation FMMP and existing General Plan land use designations. d. Impact Analysis

1. Thresholds of Significance
For the purposes of this Program EIR (PEIR), implementation of the proposed Project may have a significant adverse impact if it would result in the following:
a) Convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance, as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the FMMP of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use;
b) Conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract; c) Conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code Section 12220(g)); timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code Section 4526); or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code Section 51104(g));
d) Result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use; or e) Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to non-agricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use.

2. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold a. Would the project convert Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance, as shown on the maps prepared pursuant to the FMMP of the California Resources Agency, to non-agricultural use?
No Impact. Implementation of the 2050 GPU would result in the development of new residential units, along with commercial, mixed, and industrial uses. Whether new uses or an intensification of an existing use, placing potentially incompatible land uses (e.g., residential uses) near existing agricultural operations can result in adverse indirect impacts referred to in this section interchangeably as land use compatibility or agricultural interface impacts. fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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As mentioned above, portions of land outside of the northwestern and northern boundary of the city are designated as Farmland of Local Importance by the California Department of Conservation.2 However, these areas are outside of the city limits, and would therefore result in no impact upon buildout of the 2050 GPU.

Notwithstanding, the GPU includes the following policies in the Land Use and Community Character Element, which is intended to address land use compatibility with agricultural uses:

GOAL LUCC-1: LIFESTYLE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION. The City will maintain a coordinated land use pattern that balances the relationship between existing agricultural, animal-keeping residential areas and future housing and commercial development.

POLICIES
LUCC-1.1 Residential Agricultural Preservation. Existing Residential Agricultural (RA) designated parcels shall not be redesignated or rezoned for higher intensity residential uses, except for parcels subject to the Housing Development Overlay (HDO).

LUCC-1.2 Residential Open Space. Encourage residential open areas at a scale that encourages agricultural and animal-keeping uses.

LUCC-1.3 Equestrian Ranch Lot Consolidation Incentives. Consider incentives (e.g., increased animal unit allowances for larger lots and streamlined approval processes for caretaker units) to encourage the merger of vacant lots with adjacent residential lots that already permit animal keeping with the intent to promote larger equestrian ranches and/or enable agricultural production.

LUCC-1.5 Protection of Animal-Keeping Areas. Ensure that new homes built on vacant parcels and owner-initiated improvements and additions to private homes, including Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), maintain required animal-keeping areas and preserve the right to keep animals.

LUCC-1.6 Primary Animal-Keeping Area (PAKA) Requirements. Ensure all new lots in single-family residential zones have a recorded Primary Animal-Keeping Area (PAKA) to preserve an adequate area of open space for animal-keeping and provide adequate access to the rear yard.

All future projects within the city would be required to implement these policies if adjacent to agricultural uses, and these policies would serve to reduce impacts due to land use incompatibility. However, as there are no lands classified as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance within the Planning Area, there would be no impact to lands classified as Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance following buildout of the 2050 GPU. No impact would occur. 2 California Department of Conservation. “California Important Farmland Finder.” Accessed May 2026. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/DLRP/CIFF/.
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4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold b. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract?
Less Than Significant Impact. According to the California Department of Conservation Williamson Act contract map, there are no active Williamson Act contracts within the city.3 In addition, the 2050 GPU would not conflict with existing zoning for agricultural use including RA parcels subject to High Density Overlay. Therefore, there would be no conflict with an existing zoning for agricultural use or a Williamson Act contract.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold c. Would the project conflict with existing zoning for, or cause rezoning of, forest land (as defined in Public Resources Code Section 12220(g)); timberland (as defined by Public Resources Code Section 4526); or timberland zoned Timberland Production (as defined by Government Code Section 51104(g))?
No Impact. There is no Timberland Production or equivalent zoning district in the City of Norco, nor are there any zoning districts in the city that allow timber production as a use by right.4,5 Therefore, there is no component of the proposed 2050 GPU that has the potential to conflict with zoning for, or cause rezoning of, “forest land,” “timberland,” or lands zoned Timberland Production. No impact would occur.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.
3 California Department of Conservation. “Williamson Act Enrollment Finder.” Accessed May 2026. https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/WilliamsonAct/App/index.html. 4 City of Norco. “Zoning Map.” Accessed April 2026.
https://www.norco.ca.us/departments/planning/general-plan-elements-zoning-maps. 5 City of Norco. Norco Municipal Code. Accessed April 2026. https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Norco/.
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Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold d. Would the project result in the loss of forest land or conversion of forest land to non-forest use?
No Impact. The City of Norco does not contain any forest land areas within city limits,6 therefore, there would be no loss of forest land as a result of buildout of the proposed 2050 GPU. Further, Riverside County provides a map of forestry resources within the County in the Multipurpose Open Space element of their general plan. According to the Riverside County General Plan, the City of Norco is designated “Cities” and does not contain forestry resources.7 For these reasons, no impact would occur.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold e. Involve other changes in the existing environment which, due to their location or nature, could result in conversion of Farmland to nonagricultural use or conversion of forest land to non-forest use? No Impact. As mentioned above, there are no forest lands present within the City of Norco. In addition, the FMMP identifies no mapped farmland within the Planning Area that could be indirectly converted as a result of the 2050 GPU. Therefore, buildout of the 2050 GPU would not result in significant adverse impacts on the conversion of forest land to non-forest use.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.
6 City of Norco. General Plan. Accessed April 2026.
https://www.norco.ca.us/departments/planning/general-plan-elements-zoning-maps. 7 Riverside County. “Chapter 5: Multipurpose Open Space Element, Figure OS-3a: Forestry Resources Western Riverside County Parks, Forests, and Recreation Areas.” General Plan. December 2015.

Accessed April 2026. https://planning.rctlma.org/riverside-county-general-plan-december-2015. '@'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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This section evaluates the Project’s potential impacts on air quality. This section estimates the air pollutant emissions generated by construction and operation of the Project and evaluates whether Project emissions would conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan; result in a cumulatively considerable net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable Federal or State ambient air quality standard; expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations; or result in other emissions, such as those leading to odors, affecting a substantial number of people. a. Environmental Setting

1. Air Quality Background
Air Quality and Public Health
Certain air pollutants have been recognized to cause notable health problems and consequential damage to the environment either directly or in reaction with other pollutants, due to their presence in elevated concentrations in the atmosphere. Such pollutants have been identified and regulated as part of an overall endeavor to prevent further deterioration and to facilitate improvement in air quality. The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and California Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) have been set at levels considered safe to protect public health, including the health of sensitive populations such as asthmatics, children, and the elderly with a margin of safety, and to protect public welfare, including protection against decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings.1 As the scientific methods for the study of air pollution health effects have progressed over the past decades, adverse effects have been shown to occur at lower levels of exposure. For some pollutants, no clear thresholds for effects have been demonstrated. New findings over time have, in turn, led to the revision and lowering of NAAQS which, in the judgment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), are necessary to protect public health. Ongoing assessments of the scientific evidence from health studies continue to be an important part of setting and informing revisions to the NAAQS.
2 The NAAQS and CAAQS are listed in Table 4.3-1, Ambient Air Quality Standards.
1 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). “NAAQS Table.” Accessed June 2026. https://www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table. 2 South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Final 2022 AQMP. December 2022. Appendix I, Health Effects. p. I-154.
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TABLE 4.3-1, AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
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Averaging Federal California South Coast Air Basin Attainment Status' Pollutant California Period Standarda,b Standarda,b Federal Standardd Standardd 1-hour 0.09 ppm Non-Attainment (180 µg/m3)
Ozone (03)
8-hour 0.070 ppm 0.07 ppm Non-Attainment Non-Attainment (137 µg/m3) (137 µg/m3) (Extreme) Respirable 24-hour 150 µg/m3 50 µg/m3
Particulate Attainment Non-Attainment
Matter (PM10) Annual
24-hour 35 µg/m3 Non-Attainment Non-Attainment Fine Particulate (Serious) Matter (PM2.s)
Annual 12 µg/m3 12 µg/m3
1-hour 35 ppm (40 20 ppm (23
Carbon mg/m3) mg/m3)
Attainment Attainment Monoxide (CO) 9 ppm (10 8-hour mg/m3) 1-hour 0.10 ppm (188 0.18 ppm Unclassified/ Attainment
Nitrogen Dioxide µg/m3) (339 µg/m3) Attainment
(N02) 0.053 ppm 0.030 ppm Annual (100 µg/m3) (57 µg/m3) 1-hour 0.075 ppm 0.25 ppm
(196 µg/m3) (655 µg/m3)
Sulfur Dioxide 24-hour 0.14 ppm (365 Unclassified/ Attainment (S02) µg/m3) Attainment Annual 0.03 ppm (80
µg/m3)
30-day 1.5 µg/m3
average
Lead (Pb) Partial NonRolling 3- Attainment Attainment
month 0.15 µg/m3
average
Sulfates 24-hour 25 µg/m3 Attainment
Hydrogen Sulfide 1-hour 0.03 ppm Unclassified (H2S) (42 µg/m3) Notes: ppm= parts per million by volume; µg/m3 = micrograms per cubic meter a An ambient air quality standard is a concentration level expressed in either parts per million or micrograms per cubic meter and averaged over a specific time period (e.g., 1 hour). The different averaging times and concentrations are meant to protect against different exposure effects. Some ambient air quality standards are

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TABLE 4.3-1, AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
At the regional level, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, including the Coachella Valley.3 The City of Norco (City) is located within the South Coast Air Basin (Air Basin) which is a distinct geographic subarea within the SCAQMD’s jurisdiction. The SCAQMD, together with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), has the responsibility for ensuring that national and State ambient air quality standards are achieved and maintained for the Air Basin. Failure to comply with these standards puts State and local agencies at risk for penalties in the form of lawsuits, fines, a Federal takeover of state implementation plans, and a loss of funds from Federal agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration.

To meet the air quality standards, regional plans are developed, including the SCAQMD Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP), which incorporates regional demographic projections and integrated regional land use and transportation strategies from the SCAG Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). These plans work together to examine multiple pollutants, cumulative effects, and transport issues related to attaining healthful air quality in the region. In addition, a host of regulatory standards at the Federal, State, regional, and local level function to identify and limit exposure of air pollutants and toxic air contaminants (TACs).

Local Air Quality and Air Pollution Sources
The City of Norco is located within the South Coast Air Basin, which is an approximately 6,745- square-mile area bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west; the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, and San Jacinto Mountains to the north and east; and San Diego County to the south. The Air 3 SCAQMD. Map of Jurisdiction. 1999.
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Averaging
Period
Federal
Standarda,b
California
Standarda,b
South Coast Air Basin Attainment Status'
Pollutant Federal Standardd California
Standardd
expressed as a concentration that is not to be exceeded. Others are expressed as a concentration that is not to be equaled or exceeded.
b Ambient Air Quality Standards based on the 2022 AQMP. c "Attainment" means that the regulatory agency has determined based on established criteria, that the Air Basin meets the identified standard. "Non-attainment" means that the regulatory agency has determined that the Air Basin does not meet the standard. "Unclassified" means there is insufficient data to designate an area, or designations have yet to be made.
d California and Federal standard attainment status based on SCAQMD's 2022. e An attainment re-designation request is pending.

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Basin includes all of Orange County and the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, in addition to the Coachella Valley area in Riverside County. The regional climate within the Air Basin is considered semi-arid and is characterized by warm summers, mild winters, infrequent seasonal rainfall, moderate daytime onshore breezes, and moderate humidity. The air quality within the Air Basin is primarily influenced by meteorology and a wide range of emissions sources, such as dense population centers, heavy vehicular traffic, and industry.

The Air Basin experiences a persistent temperature inversion (increasing temperature with increasing altitude) as a result of a semi-permanent subtropical area of high pressure in the Pacific Ocean. This inversion limits the vertical dispersion of air contaminants, holding them relatively near the ground. As the sun warms the ground and the lower air layer, the temperature of the lower air layer approaches the temperature of the base of the inversion (upper) layer until the inversion layer finally breaks, allowing vertical mixing with the lower layer. This phenomenon is observed in mid to late afternoons on hot summer days. Winter inversions frequently break by midmorning.

The combination of stagnant wind conditions and low inversions produces the greatest pollutant concentrations. On days of no inversion or high wind speeds, ambient air pollutant concentrations are lowest. During periods of low inversions and low wind speeds, air pollutants generated in urbanized areas are transported predominantly onshore into Riverside and San Bernardino counties. In the winter, the greatest pollution problem is the accumulation of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) due to low inversions and air stagnation during the night and early morning hours. In the summer, the longer daylight hours and the brighter sunshine combine to cause a reaction between hydrocarbons and NOX to form photochemical smog.

Air pollutant emissions within the Air Basin are generated primarily by stationary and mobile sources. Stationary sources can be divided into two major subcategories: point and area sources. Point sources occur at a specific location and are often identified by an exhaust vent or stack. Examples include boilers or combustion equipment that produce electricity or generate heat. Area sources are widely distributed and include such sources as residential and commercial water heaters, painting operations, lawn mowers, agricultural fields, landfills, and some consumer products. Mobile sources refer to emissions from motor vehicles, including tailpipe and evaporative emissions, and are classified as either on-road or off-road. On-road sources may be legally operated on roadways and highways. Off-road sources include aircraft, ships, trains, and self-propelled construction equipment. Air pollutants can also be generated by the natural environment, such as when high winds suspend fine dust particles. ~ ~t a rrro· . '
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Air Pollutant Types
Criteria Pollutants
The six principal pollutants for which national and State criteria and standards have been promulgated and which are most relevant to current air quality planning and regulation in the Air Basin include ozone (O3), respirable and fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5, respectively), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and lead (Pb). These pollutants are referred to as “criteria air pollutants” as a result of the specific standards, or criteria, which have been adopted for them.

Ozone (O3)
O3 is a gas that is formed when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and NOX—both byproducts of internal combustion engine exhaust—undergo slow photochemical reactions in the presence of sunlight. O3 concentrations are generally highest during the summer months when direct sunlight, light wind, and warm temperature conditions are favorable. An elevated level of O3 irritates the lungs and breathing passages, causing coughing and pain in the chest and throat, thereby increasing susceptibility to respiratory infections and reducing the ability to exercise.

Effects are more severe in people with asthma and other respiratory ailments. Long-term exposure may lead to scarring of lung tissue and may lower lung efficiency.

Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5)
Particulate matter pollution consists of very small liquid and solid particles floating in the air, which can include smoke, soot, dust, salts, acids, and metals. Particulate matter can form when gases emitted from industries and motor vehicles undergo chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Respirable and fine particulate matter, PM10 and PM2.5, consist of extremely small, suspended particles or droplets 10 microns and 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter, respectively.

Some sources of particulate matter, such as pollen and windstorms, are naturally occurring.

However, in urban areas, such as the city, most particulate matter is caused by road dust, diesel soot, combustion products, abrasion of tires and brakes, and construction activities. The human body naturally prevents the entry of larger particles into the body. However, small particles can enter the body and become trapped in the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. These small particulates can potentially aggravate existing heart and lung diseases, change the body’s defenses against inhaled materials, and damage lung tissue. The elderly, children, and those with chronic lung or heart disease are most sensitive to PM10 and PM2.5. Lung impairment can persist for two to three weeks after exposure to high levels of particulate matter. Some types of particulates can become toxic after inhalation due to the presence of certain chemicals and their reaction with internal body fluids.

Carbon Monoxide
CO is a colorless, odorless gas primarily emitted from combustion processes and motor vehicles due to incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as gasoline or wood. In urban ~ ~t a rrro· . '
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areas, such as the city, automobile exhaust accounts for the majority of CO emissions. CO concentrations tend to be the highest during the winter morning, when little to no wind and surface-based inversions trap the pollutant at ground levels. Because CO is emitted directly from internal combustion engines, unlike O3, motor vehicles operating at slow speeds are the primary source of CO in the Air Basin. The highest ambient CO concentrations are generally found near congested transportation corridors and intersections. Elevated concentrations of CO weaken the heart’s contractions and lower the amount of oxygen carried by the blood. It is especially dangerous for people with chronic heart disease. Inhalation of CO can cause nausea, dizziness, and headaches at moderate concentrations and can be fatal at high concentrations.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
NO2 is a nitrogen oxide (NOX) compound that is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels, such as in internal combustion engines (both gasoline and diesel powered), as well as point sources, especially power plants. Of the seven types of NOX compounds, NO2 is the most abundant in the atmosphere. As ambient concentrations of NO2 are related to traffic density, commuters in heavy traffic areas, particularly in urban areas, such as the City of Los Angeles, may be exposed to higher concentrations of NO2 than those indicated by regional monitors. NO2 absorbs blue light and results in a brownish-red cast to the atmosphere and reduced visibility. NO2 also contributes to the formation of PM10. NOx irritates the nose and throat and increases one’s susceptibility to respiratory infections, especially in people with asthma. The principal concern of NOX is that it can act as a precursor to the formation of O3.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Sulfur oxides (SOX) are compounds of sulfur and oxygen molecules. SO2 is the predominant form found in the lower atmosphere and is a product of burning sulfur or materials that contain sulfur.

Major sources of SO2 include power plants, large industrial facilities, diesel vehicles, and oilburning residential heaters. Generally, the highest levels of SO2 are found near large industrial complexes. In recent years, SO2 concentrations have been reduced by the increasingly stringent controls placed on stationary source emissions of SO2 and limits on the sulfur content of fuels.

Emissions of SO2 aggravate lung diseases, especially bronchitis. It also constricts the breathing passages, especially in asthmatics and people involved in moderate to heavy exercise. SO2 potentially causes wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. High levels of particulates appear to worsen the effect of SO2, and long-term exposures to both pollutants lead to higher rates of respiratory illness.

Lead (Pb)
Pb is a metal found naturally in the environment, as well as in manufactured products. The highest levels of Pb in the air are usually found near Pb smelters. The major sources of Pb emissions in the air are ore and metals processing and piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded aviation gasoline. Pb is also emitted from the sanding or removal of old lead-based paint (LBP). Pb emissions are primarily a regional pollutant. Pb affects the brain and other parts of the ~ ~t a rrro· . '
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body’s nervous system. Exposure to Pb in very young children impairs the development of the nervous system, kidneys, and blood forming processes in the body.

Additional Criteria Pollutants (California Only)
In addition to the national standards, the State of California regulates State-identified criteria pollutants, including sulfates (SO4
2-
), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), visibility-reducing particles, and vinyl chloride. With respect to the State-identified criteria pollutants, most land use development projects either do not emit them (i.e., H2S [nuisance odor] and vinyl chloride), or otherwise account for these pollutants (i.e., SO4
2-
and visibility reducing particles) through other criteria pollutants. For example, SO4
2-
are associated with SOX emissions, and visibility-reducing particles are associated with particulate matter emissions. A description of the health effects of the Stateidentified criteria air pollutants is provided below.

Sulfates (SO4
2-
)
SO4
2-
are the fully oxidized ionic form of sulfur. SO4
2- occur in combination with metal and/or
hydrogen ions. In California, emissions of sulfur compounds occur primarily from the combustion of petroleum-derived fuels (e.g., gasoline and diesel fuel) that contain sulfur. This sulfur is oxidized during the combustion process and subsequently converted to SO4 2-
in the
atmosphere. Effects of SO4
2-
exposure at levels above the standard include a decrease in ventilatory function, aggravation of asthmatic symptoms, and an increased risk of cardiopulmonary disease. SO4 2-
are particularly effective in degrading visibility and, due to the fact that they are usually acidic, can harm ecosystems and damage materials and property.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
H2S is a colorless gas with the odor of rotten eggs. The most common sources of H2S emissions are oil and natural gas extraction and processing and natural emissions from geothermal fields.

Industrial sources of H2S include petrochemical plants and kraft paper mills. H2S is also formed during bacterial decomposition of human and animal wastes and is present in emissions from sewage treatment facilities and landfills.4 Exposure to H2S can induce tearing of the eyes and symptoms related to overstimulation of the sense of smell, including headache, nausea, or vomiting; additional health effects of eye irritation have only been reported with exposures greater than 50 parts per million (ppm), which is considerably higher than the odor threshold.5 H2S is regulated as a nuisance based on its odor detection level; if the standard were based on adverse health effects, it would be set at a much higher level.6 4 California Air Resources Board (CARB). “Hydrogen Sulfide & Health.” Accessed June 2026. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/hydrogen-sulfide-and-health. 5 CARB. “Hydrogen Sulfide & Health.” Accessed June 2026. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/hydrogen-sulfideand-health. 6 CARB. “Hydrogen Sulfide & Health.”
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Visibility-Reducing Particles
Visibility-reducing particles come from a variety of natural and manmade sources and can vary greatly in shape, size and chemical composition. Visibility reduction is caused by the absorption and scattering of light by the particles in the atmosphere before it reaches the observer. Certain visibility-reducing particles are directly emitted to the air, such as windblown dust and soot, while others are formed in the atmosphere through chemical transformations of gaseous pollutants (e.g., SO4
2 , nitrates, organic carbon particles) which are the major constituents of particulate matter. As the number of visibility-reducing particles increases, more light is absorbed and scattered, resulting in less clarity, color, and visual range.7 Exposure to some haze-causing pollutants have been linked to adverse health impacts similar to PM10 and PM2.5, as discussed above.8
Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas with a mild, sweet odor. Most vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and vinyl products and is generally emitted from industrial processes. Other major sources of vinyl chloride have been detected near landfills, sewage plants, and hazardous waste sites due to microbial breakdown of chlorinated solvents.9 Shortterm health effects of exposure to high levels of vinyl chloride in the air include central nervous system effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches while long-term exposure to vinyl chloride through inhalation and oral exposure causes liver damage and has been shown to increase the risk of angiosarcoma, a rare form of liver cancer in humans.10 Most health data on vinyl chloride relate to carcinogenicity; thus, the people most at risk are those who have longterm exposure to elevated levels, which is more likely to occur in occupational or industrial settings. However, control methodologies applied to industrial facilities generally prevent emissions to the ambient air.11
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Toxic Air Contaminants (TACs) Although the SCAQMD’s primary mandate is attaining the NAAQS and the CAAQS for criteria pollutants within the district, SCAQMD also has a general responsibility to control emissions of air contaminants and prevent endangerment to public health. As a result, the SCAQMD has regulated pollutants other than criteria pollutants, such as VOCs, TACs, greenhouse gases (GHGs), and stratospheric O3-depleting compounds.
7 CARB. “Visibility-Reducing Particles and Health.” Accessed June 2026. https://www.arb.ca.gov/research/aaqs/common-pollutants/vrp/vrp.htm. 8 CARB. “Visibility-Reducing Particles and Health.”
9 CARB. “Vinyl Chloride & Health.” Accessed June 2026. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/resources/vinyl-chloride-andhealth. 10 CARB. “Vinyl Chloride & Health.”
11 CARB. “Vinyl Chloride & Health.”
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VOCs
VOCs are organic chemical compounds of carbon and are not “criteria” pollutants themselves; however, VOCs are a prime component (along with NOX) of the photochemical processes by which such criteria pollutants as O3, NO2, and certain fine particles are formed. They are, therefore, regulated as “precursors” to formation of these criteria pollutants. Some are also identified as TACs and have adverse health effects. VOCs are typically formed from combustion of fuels and/or released through evaporation of organic liquids, internal combustion associated with motor vehicle usage, and consumer products.

TACs
TACs is a term used to describe airborne pollutants that may be expected to result in an increase in mortality or serious illness or which may pose a present or potential hazard to human health, and include both carcinogens and non-carcinogens. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) determine if a substance should be formally identified, or “listed,” as a TAC in California. CARB has listed approximately 200 toxic substances, including those identified by the USEPA, which are identified on the California Air Toxics Program’s TAC List. TACs are also not classified as “criteria” air pollutants. The greatest potential for TAC emissions during construction is related to diesel particulate matter (DPM) emissions associated with heavy-duty equipment. During long-term operations, sources of DPM may include heavy duty diesel-fueled delivery trucks and stationary emergency generators. The effects of TACs can be diverse and their health impacts tend to be local rather than regional; consequently, ambient air quality standards for these pollutants have not been established, and analysis of health effects is instead based on cancer risk and exposure levels.
b. Regulatory Setting
There are several plans, regulations, and programs that include policies, requirements, and guidelines regarding Air Quality at the Federal, State, regional, and local levels. As described below, these plans, guidelines, and laws include the following:
• Federal Clean Air Act
− National Ambient Air Quality Standards
• California Clean Air Act
− California Ambient Air Quality Standards
• California Code of Regulations
• State Programs for Toxic Air Contaminants
• State Diesel Risk Reduction Program
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• South Coast Air Quality Management District
− Air Quality Management Plan
− Air Quality Guidance Documents
− Rules and Regulations
• Southern California Association of Governments Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy

1. Federal
Federal Clean Air Act
The Federal Clean Air Act (CAA) was enacted in 1970 and has been amended numerous times in subsequent years, with the latest amendments occurring in 2022.12 The CAA is the comprehensive Federal law that regulates air emissions in order to protect public health and welfare.13 The USEPA is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the CAA, which establishes the NAAQS, specifies future dates for achieving compliance, and requires the USEPA to designate areas as attainment, nonattainment, or maintenance. The CAA also mandates that each state submit and implement a State Implementation Plan (SIP) for each criteria pollutant for which the State has not achieved the applicable NAAQS. The SIP includes pollution control measures that demonstrate how the standards for those pollutants will be met. The sections of the CAA most applicable to land use development projects include Title I (Nonattainment Provisions) and Title II (Mobile Source Provisions).14
Title I requirements are implemented for the purpose of attaining NAAQS for criteria air pollutants. Table 4.3-1 shows the NAAQS currently in effect for each criteria pollutant and their corresponding attainment status. The Air Basin fails to meet national standards for O3 and PM2.5 and, therefore, is considered a Federal “non-attainment” area for these pollutants. In addition, Los Angeles County fails to meet the national standard for Pb and, therefore, is considered a Federal non-attainment area for Pb.

Title II pertains to mobile sources, which includes on-road vehicles (e.g., cars, buses, motorcycles) and non-road vehicles (e.g., aircraft, trains, construction equipment). Reformulated gasoline and automobile pollution control devices are examples of the mechanisms the USEPA uses to regulate mobile air emission sources. The provisions of Title II have resulted in tailpipe emission standards for vehicles, which have been strengthened in recent years to improve air quality. For 12 42 United States Code Section 7401 et seq., 1970.
13 USEPA. “Summary of the Clean Air Act.” Accessed June 2026. https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summaryclean-air-act. 14 USEPA. “Clean Air Act Overview, Clean Air Act Table of Contents by Title.” Accessed June 2026. https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview/clean-air-act-text. As shown therein, Title I addresses nonattainment areas and Title II addresses mobile sources. ~:.tlil art]• . '
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example, the standards for NOX emissions have been lowered substantially, and the specification requirements for cleaner burning gasoline are more stringent.

The NAAQS and the CAAQS for the California criteria air pollutants (discussed below) have been set at levels considered safe to protect public health, including the health of sensitive populations and to protect public welfare.

2. State
California Clean Air Act
The California Clean Air Act (CCAA), signed into law in 1988, requires all areas of the state to achieve and maintain the CAAQS by the earliest practicable date. CARB, a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), is responsible for the coordination and administration of both State and Federal air pollution control programs within California. In this capacity, CARB conducts research, sets the CAAQS, compiles emission inventories, develops suggested control measures, and provides oversight of local programs. CARB establishes emissions standards for motor vehicles sold in California, consumer products, and various types of commercial equipment. It also sets fuel specifications to further reduce vehicular emissions.

Table 4.3-1 includes the CAAQS currently in effect for each of the criteria pollutants, as well as other pollutants recognized by the State. As shown in Table 4.3-1, the CAAQS include more stringent standards than the NAAQS. The Air Basin fails to meet State standards for O3, PM10, and PM2.5 and, therefore, is considered a State “non-attainment” area for these pollutants.

California Code of Regulations
The California Code of Regulations (CCR) is the official compilation and publication of regulations adopted, amended or repealed by the State agencies pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. The CCR includes regulations that pertain to air quality emissions. Specifically, Section 2485 in Title 13 of the CCR states that the idling of all diesel-fueled commercial vehicles (weighing over 10,000 pounds) during construction shall be limited to five minutes at any location. In addition, Section 93115 in Title 17 of the CCR states that operation of any stationary, diesel-fueled, compression-ignition engines shall meet specified fuel and fuel additive requirements and emissions standards.

State Programs for Toxic Air Contaminants
The California Air Toxics Program is an established two-step process of risk identification and risk management to address potential health effects from exposure to toxic substances in the air. In the risk identification step, CARB and OEHHA determine if a substance should be formally identified, or “listed,” as a TAC in California. In the risk management step, CARB reviews emission sources of an identified TAC to determine whether regulatory action is needed to reduce risk.

Based on results of that review, CARB has promulgated a number of Airborne Toxic Control ~ ~t a rrro· . '
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Measures (ATCMs), both for stationary and mobile sources, including On-Road and Off-Road Vehicle Rules. These ATCMs include measures such as limits on heavy-duty diesel motor vehicle idling and emission standards for off-road diesel construction equipment, in order to reduce public exposure to DPM and other TACs. These actions are also supplemented by the Assembly Bill (AB) 2588 Air Toxics “Hot Spots” program and Senate Bill (SB) 1731, which require facilities to report their air toxics emissions, assess health risks, notify nearby residents and workers of significant risks if present, and reduce their risk through implementation of a risk management plan. SCAQMD has further adopted two rules to limit cancer and non-cancer health risks from facilities located within its jurisdiction. Rule 1401 (New Source Review of Toxic Air Contaminants) regulates new or modified facilities, and Rule 1402 (Control of Toxic Air Contaminants from Existing Sources) regulates facilities that are already operating. Rule 1402 incorporates requirements of the AB 2588 program, including implementation of risk reduction plans for significant risk facilities.

State Diesel Risk Reduction Program
CARB identified particulate emissions from diesel-fueled engines as TACs in August 1998.

Following the identification process, CARB was required by law to determine if there is a need for further control, which moved CARB into the risk management phase of the program. CARB developed the Risk Reduction Plan to Reduce Particulate Matter Emissions from Diesel-Fueled Engines and the Vehicles and the Risk Management Guidance for the Permitting of New Stationary DieselFueled Engines. The Diesel Advisory Committee approved these documents on September 28, 2000, paving the way for the next step in the regulatory process: the control measure phase.

During the control measure phase, specific Statewide regulations designed to further reduce DPM emissions from diesel-fueled engines and vehicles have and continue to be evaluated and developed. The goal of each regulation is to make diesel engines as clean as possible by establishing state-of-the-art technology requirements or emission standards to reduce DPM emissions.

3. Regional
The SCAQMD is primarily responsible for planning, implementing, and enforcing air quality standards for the South Coast Air Basin. The Air Basin is a subregion within the western portion of the SCAQMD jurisdiction as the SCAQMD also regulates portions of the Salton Sea Air Basin and Mojave Desert Air Basin within Riverside County.

Air Quality Management Plan and Regional Transportation Plan / Sustainable Communities Strategy
To meet the NAAQS and CAAQS, the SCAQMD has adopted a series of AQMPs, which serve as a regional blueprint to develop and implement an emission reduction strategy that will bring the area into attainment with the standards in a timely manner. The AQMPs are incorporated into the SIP. The 2022 AQMP includes strategies to ensure that rapidly approaching attainment ~ ~t a rrro· . '
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deadlines for O3 and PM2.5 are met and that public health is protected to the maximum extent feasible. The most significant air quality challenge in the Air Basin is to reduce NOX emissions15 sufficiently to meet the O3 standard deadlines as NOX plays a critical role in the creation of O3.

Since NOX emissions also lead to the formation of PM2.5, the NOX reductions needed to meet the O3 standards will likewise lead to improvement of PM2.5 levels and attainment of PM2.5 standards.16 The 2022 AQMP is focused on attaining the 2015 8-hour O3 standard of 70 parts per billion. The 2022 AQMP builds upon measures already in place from previous AQMPs and includes a variety of additional strategies such as regulation, accelerated development of available clean technologies, incentives and other CAA measures to achieve this standard.17 The SCAQMD’s strategy to meet the NAAQS and CAAQS distributes the responsibility for emission reductions across Federal, State, and local levels and industries. The 2022 AQMP is composed of stationary and mobile source emission reductions from traditional regulatory control measures, incentive-based programs, co-benefits from climate programs, mobile source strategies, and reductions from Federal sources, which include aircraft, locomotives and oceangoing vessels. These strategies are to be implemented in partnership with CARB and USEPA.

The 2022 AQMP also incorporates the transportation strategy and transportation control measures from SCAG’s 2020–2045 RTP/SCS.18 SCAG is the regional planning agency for Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Imperial Counties and addresses regional issues relating to transportation, the economy, community development and the environment. SCAG coordinates with various air quality and transportation stakeholders in Southern California to ensure compliance with the Federal and State air quality requirements.

Pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Section 40460, SCAG has the responsibility of preparing and approving the portions of the AQMP relating to the regional demographic projections and integrated regional land use, housing, employment, and transportation programs, measures, and strategies. SCAG is required by law to ensure that transportation activities “conform” to, and are supportive of, the goals of regional and State air quality plans to attain the NAAQS.

The RTP/SCS includes transportation programs, measures, and strategies generally designed to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), which are contained in the AQMP. The SCAQMD combines its portion of the AQMP with those prepared by SCAG.19 The RTP/SCS and Transportation Control Measures, included as Appendix IV-C of the 2022 AQMP, are based on the 2020–2045 RTP/SCS. 15 NOX emissions are a precursor to the formation of both O3 and secondary PM2.5. 16 Estimates are based on the inventory and modeling results and are relative to the baseline emission levels for each attainment year (see Final 2016 AQMP for detailed discussion). 17 SCAQMD. Final 2022 AQMP. Page ES-4.
18 Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). Final 2020–2045 RTP/SCS. September 3, 2020. 19 SCAQMD. Final 2022 AQMP. Page ES-2.
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On April 4, 2024, SCAG adopted the 2024–2050 RTP/SCS. Similar to the 2020–2045 RTP/SCS, the 2024–2050 RTP/SCS is a long-term plan for the Southern California region that details investment in the transportation system and development in communities to meet the existing and future needs of the region through projects, investments, policies and strategies. While the 2024–2050 RTP/SCS remains focused on its core responsibilities and on the requirements of comprehensive regional transportation planning integrated with the development of a sustainable communities strategy, it also encompasses a holistic approach to programs and strategies that support success of the RTP/SCS, such as workforce development, broadband and mobility hubs. The primary goals of the 2024–2050 RTP/SCS include:
• Mobility: Build and maintain an integrated multimodal transportation network; • Communities: Develop, connect and sustain livable and thriving communities; • Environment: Create a healthy region for the people of today and tomorrow; and • Economy: Support a sustainable, efficient and productive regional economic environment that provides opportunities for all people in the region.

The 2024–2050 RTP/SCS was accepted by CARB on May 7, 2025. In addition, and as discussed previously, SCAG’s 2020–2045 RTP/SCS forecasted population, housing, and employment growth data were used to characterize regional growth in the 2022 AQMP.

SCAQMD Air Quality Guidance Documents
The SCAQMD published the CEQA Air Quality Handbook (approved by the SCAQMD’s Governing Board in 1993) to provide local governments with guidance for analyzing and mitigating projectspecific air quality impacts.20 The CEQA Air Quality Handbook provides standards, methodologies, and procedures for conducting air quality analyses. However, the SCAQMD is currently in the process of replacing the CEQA Air Quality Handbook with the Air Quality Analysis Guidance Handbook. While this process is underway, the SCAQMD has provided supplemental guidance on the SCAQMD website to be used in conjunction with the Handbook.21 The SCAQMD has also adopted land use planning guidelines in its Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning, which considers impacts to sensitive receptors from facilities that emit TAC emissions.22 SCAQMD’s siting distance recommendations are the same as those provided by CARB (e.g., a 500-foot siting distance for sensitive land uses proposed in proximity to freeways and high-traffic roads, and the same siting criteria for distribution centers and dry cleaning facilities). The SCAQMD’s document introduces 20 SCAQMD. Air Quality Analysis Handbook. April 1993.
21 SCAQMD. Air Quality Analysis Handbook. 1993. Accessed June 2026. http://www.aqmd.gov/home/rulescompliance/ceqa/air-quality-analysis-handbook/ceqa-air-quality-handbook-(1993). 22 SCAQMD. Guidance Document for Addressing Air Quality Issues in General Plans and Local Planning. May 6, 2005. ~:.tlil art]• . '
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land use-related policies that rely on design and distance parameters to minimize emissions and lower potential health risk. The SCAQMD’s guidelines are voluntary initiatives recommended for consideration by local planning agencies.

The SCAQMD has published a guidance document called the Final Localized Significance Threshold Methodology for CEQA evaluations that is intended to provide guidance when evaluating the localized effects from mass emissions during construction or operation of a project.23 The SCAQMD adopted additional guidance regarding PM2.5 emissions in a document called Final Methodology to Calculate Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 and PM2.5 Significance Thresholds. 24 The latter
document has been incorporated by the SCAQMD into its CEQA significance thresholds and Final Localized Significance Threshold Methodology.

SCAQMD Rules and Regulations
The SCAQMD has adopted several rules and regulations to regulate sources of air pollution in the Air Basin and to help achieve air quality standards for land use development projects, which include, but are not limited to the following:

Regulation IV – Prohibitions: This regulation sets forth the restrictions for visible emissions, odor nuisance, fugitive dust, various air emissions, fuel contaminants, start-up/shutdown exemptions and breakdown events. The following is a list of rules that apply to the Project:
• Rule 401 – Visible Emissions: This rule states that a person shall not discharge into the atmosphere from any single source of emission whatsoever any air contaminant for a period or periods aggregating more than three minutes in any one hour, which is as dark or darker in shade as that designated No. 1 on the Ringelmann Chart or of such opacity as to obscure an observer's view.
• Rule 402 – Nuisance: This rule states that a person shall not discharge from any source whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other material, which cause injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or to the public, or which endanger the comfort, repose, health or safety of any such persons or the public, or which cause, or have a natural tendency to cause, injury or damage to business or property.
• Rule 403 – Fugitive Dust: This rule requires projects to prevent, reduce or mitigate fugitive dust emissions from a site. Rule 403 restricts visible fugitive dust to the project property line, restricts the net PM10 emissions to less than 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) and restricts the tracking out of bulk materials onto public roads. Additionally, projects 23 SCAQMD. Final Localized Significance Threshold (LST) Methodology. June 2003 (revised July 2008). 24 SCAQMD. Final Methodology to Calculate Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 and PM 2.5 Significance Thresholds. October 2006.
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must utilize one or more of the best available control measures (identified in the tables within the rule). Best available control measures may include adding freeboard to haul vehicles, covering loose material on haul vehicles, watering, using chemical stabilizers, and/or ceasing all activities. Finally, a contingency plan may be required if so determined by the USEPA.

Regulation XI – Source Specific Standards: Regulation XI sets emissions standards for specific sources. The following is a list of rules that may apply to the Project:
• Rule 1113 – Architectural Coatings: This rule requires manufacturers, distributors, and end users of architectural and industrial maintenance coatings to reduce VOC emissions from the use of these coatings, primarily by placing limits on the VOC content of various coating categories.
• Rule 1138 – Control of Emissions from Restaurant Operations: This rule specifies PM and VOC emissions and odor control requirements for commercial cooking operations that use chain-driven charbroilers to cook meat.
• Rule 1146.2 – Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Large Water Heaters and Small Boilers and Process Heaters: This rule requires manufacturers, distributors, retailers, refurbishers, installers, and operators of new and existing units to reduce NOX emissions from natural gas-fired water heaters, boilers, and process heaters as defined in this rule. • Rule 1186 – PM10 Emissions from Paved and Unpaved Roads, and Livestock Operations:

This rule applies to owners and operators of paved and unpaved roads and livestock operations. The rule is intended to reduce PM10 emissions by requiring the cleanup of material deposited onto paved roads, use of certified street sweeping equipment, and treatment of high-use unpaved roads (see also Rule 403).

Regulation XIII – New Source Review (NSR): Regulation XIII sets requirements for preconstruction review required under both Federal and State statutes for new and modified sources located in areas that do not meet the CAA standards ("non-attainment" areas). NSR applies to both individual permits and entire facilities. Any permit that has a net increase in emissions is required to apply Best Available Control Technology (BACT). Facilities with a net increase in emissions are required to offset the emission increase by use of Emission Reduction Credits (ERCs). The regulation provides for the application, eligibility, registration, use and transfer of ERCs. For low emitting facilities, the SCAQMD maintains an internal bank that can be used to provide the required offsets. In addition, certain facilities are subject to provisions that require public notice and modeling analysis to determine the downwind impact prior to permit issuance.

Regulation XIV – Toxics and Other Non-Criteria Pollutants: Regulation XIV sets requirements for new permit units, relocations, or modifications to existing permit units which emit TACs or other non-criteria pollutants. The following is a list of rules which may apply to the Project:
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• Rule 1403 – Asbestos Emissions from Demolition/Renovation Activities: This rule requires owners and operators of any demolition or renovation activity and the associated disturbance of asbestos-containing materials, any asbestos storage facility, or any active waste disposal site to implement work practice requirements to limit asbestos emissions from building demolition and renovation activities, including the removal and associated disturbance of asbestos-containing materials.
• Rule 1470 – Requirements for Stationary Diesel-Fueled Internal Combustion and Other Compression Ignition Engines: This rule applies to stationary compression ignition (CI) engines greater than 50 brake horsepower and sets limits on emissions and operating hours. In general, new stationary emergency standby diesel-fueled engines greater than 50 brake horsepower are not permitted to operate more than 50 hours per year for maintenance and testing.

4. Local
City of Norco General Plan
Norco is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which includes the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino. The Los Angeles-Long Beach MSA registers the highest ozone and the sixth-highest particulate matter concentrations in the United States. While ozone and particulate matter concentrations within the MSA have declined over the past 25 years, they remain above acceptable levels.

Although Norco has no regulatory authority over air emissions, the City can promote local and regional air quality by facilitating active transportation and transit service, dust control strategies, and a transition to clean energy sources. Norco can also shield community members from excessive exposure to air pollution by creating walkable environments, maintaining buffers between sensitive receptors and significant emission sources, mitigating fire risks, and implementing State building codes that provide for ventilation, low and zero-emission appliances, and non-toxic building materials.

Local governments play an important role in South Coast AQMD’s strategy to meet Federal and State clean air standards within the South Coast Air Basin. Partnerships with local governments provide opportunities to improve local air quality by identifying and resolving local air pollution problems that may represent a health hazard to the local community. Norco can enhance its capacity to address such problems by actively participating in South Coast AQMD’s Local Government Relations Program and availing itself of South Coast AQMD resources, including technical assistance, grants, and incentive programs.

The following Goals and Policies from the Open Space and Conservation Element of the proposed Norco 2050 General Plan are applicable to the Project and provide the framework for evaluating potential environmental effects related to natural resources, energy conservation, air ~ ~t a rrro· . '
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quality, water resources, biological resources, and overall environmental sustainability. The Open Space and Conservation Element establishes the City’s objectives for protecting and managing environmental resources while accommodating planned growth and development. The Project’s consistency with the applicable Goals and Policies identified below is evaluated throughout this section based on the proposed land uses, operational characteristics, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and mitigation measures.

GOAL OSC-15: REGIONAL AIR QUALITY ATTAINMENT LEVELS. The City will support the efforts of the South Coast Air Quality Management District to achieve regional attainment levels for ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5).

POLICIES
OSC-15.1 Air Quality Monitoring. Promote “citizen science” air quality monitoring through crowdsourcing websites like PurpleAir, particularly in high-traffic areas, industrial districts, and in proximity to commercial farming, animal-keeping, and equestrian operations.

OSC-15.2 Dust Control Measures. Require development and construction activities to implement effective dust control measures consistent with the Norco Municipal Code and other applicable regulations to minimize fugitive dust, protect air quality, and reduce impacts on nearby residents, roadways, and equestrian facilities.

OSC-15.3 Dust Control. Support community education and outreach to encourage proper animal-keeping practices that minimize dust generation and protect air quality.

OSC-15.4 Clean Industrial Technologies. Consider support of legislation that promotes clean industrial technologies and more efficient stationary source combustion equipment and energy generation.

OSC-15.5 Restaurant/Commercial Kitchen Emissions. Promote regular maintenance of vents, filters, and the use of air scrubbing technology to reduce organic aerosol emissions from restaurants and commercial kitchens.

OSC-15.6 Transportation-Related Emissions. Undertake and support efforts to reduce transportation-related emissions.

OSC-15.7 Public Information. Provide community members with information on air quality, factors that contribute to local air pollution, and strategies for reducing air pollutants.

OSC-15.8 Priority Areas. Prioritize air quality enhancement efforts in those areas exposed to the highest concentrations of air pollutants (e.g., in proximity to Interstate 15).

OSC-15.9 Environmental Justice. Consider environmental justice issues as they relate to potential health impacts associated with air pollution and ensure that all land ~ ~t a rrro· . '
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use decisions, including enforcement actions, protect all Norco residents, regardless of age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, socioeconomic status, or geographic location from the health effects of air pollution. c. Existing Conditions

1. Regional Air Quality
The Southern California region lies in the semi-permanent high-pressure zone of the eastern Pacific. As a result, the climate is mild, tempered by cool sea breezes. The usually mild climatological pattern is interrupted infrequently by periods of extremely hot weather, winter storms, or Santa Ana winds. The extent and severity of the air pollution problem in the Air Basin is a function of the area's natural physical characteristics (weather and topography), as well as man-made influences (development patterns and lifestyle). Factors, such as wind, sunlight, temperature, humidity, rainfall, and topography, affect the accumulation and dispersion of pollutants throughout the Air Basin, making it an area of high pollution potential.

The greatest air pollution throughout the Air Basin occurs from June through September. This condition is generally attributed to the large amount of pollutant emissions, light winds, and shallow vertical atmospheric mixing. This frequently reduces pollutant dispersion, thus causing elevated air pollution levels. Pollutant concentrations in the Air Basin vary with location, season, and time of day. O3 concentrations, for example, tend to be lower along the coast, higher in the near inland valleys, and lower in the far inland areas of the Air Basin and adjacent desert. Over the past 30 years, substantial progress has been made in reducing air pollution levels in Southern California. However, the Air Basin still fails to meet the national standards for O3 and PM2.5 and, therefore, is considered a Federal non-attainment area for these pollutants. As discussed above, since 2019, no monitoring stations within the Air Basin have demonstrated an exceedance for Pb of the national standard, and attainment redesignation for Pb is currently pending with the USEPA.

The SCAQMD has the responsibility for ensuring that all national and State ambient air quality standards are achieved and maintained throughout the Air Basin. To meet the standards, the SCAQMD has adopted a series of AQMPs. The 2022 AQMP includes strategies to ensure that rapidly approaching attainment deadlines are met and that public health is protected to the maximum extent feasible. The most significant air quality challenge in the Air Basin is to reduce NOx emissions25 sufficiently to meet the upcoming O3 standard deadlines. The 2022 AQMP provides a baseline year 2018 inventory of 351 tons per day (tpd) of NOx and modeling results show that NOx emissions are projected to be 184 tpd in the 8-hour O3 attainment year of 2037, due to continued implementation of already adopted regulatory actions (baseline emissions). 25 NOX emissions are a precursor to the formation of both ozone and secondary PM2.5. ~:.tlil art]• . '
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The 2022 AQMP suggests that total Air Basin emissions of NOx must be reduced to 60 tpd in 2037 to attain the 8-hour O3 standard. Although the existing air regulations and programs will continue to lower NOx emissions in the region, an additional 67 percent of reductions from the baseline year 2018 in the year 2037 is necessary to attain the 8-hour O3 standard.26,27 The overall control strategy is an integral approach relying on fair-share emission reductions from Federal, State, and local levels. The 2022 AQMP is composed of stationary and mobile source emission reduction strategies from traditional regulatory control measures, incentivebased programs, co-benefits from climate programs, mobile source strategies and reductions from Federal sources, which include aircraft, locomotives and ocean-going vessels. These strategies are to be implemented in partnership with CARB and USEPA. The 2022 AQMP also includes transportation programs, measures, and strategies from SCAG's 2020–2045 RTP/SCS28 that are generally designed to reduce VMT.

2. Local Air Quality
Air pollutant emissions are generated in the local vicinity by stationary and area-wide sources, such as commercial and industrial activity, space and water heating, landscape maintenance, consumer products, and mobile sources primarily consisting of automobile traffic. Mobile vehicles are the primary source of pollutants in the local vicinity.

Existing Pollutant Levels at Nearby Monitoring Stations The SCAQMD maintains a network of air quality monitoring stations located throughout the Air Basin and has divided the Air Basin into 38 source receptor areas (SRAs) in which 31 monitoring stations operate. The City of Norco is located within SRA 22, which covers the Corona/Norco Area. The monitoring station closest to and most representative of the City of Norco is the Mira Loma Van Buren located at 5130 Poinsettia Place in Jurupa Valley. Criteria pollutants monitored at this station include O3, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5.

Table 4.3-2, Air Quality Monitoring Summary identifies the national and State ambient air quality standards for relevant air pollutants along with the ambient pollutant concentrations that have been measured at this station through the period of 2022–2024.

TABLE 4.3-2, AIR QUALITY MONITORING SUMMARY
26 Estimates are based on the inventory and modeling results relative to the baseline emission levels for each attainment year (see final 2022 AQMP for detailed discussion). 27 SCAQMD. 2022 AQMP. Page ES-4.
28 SCAG. Final 2024–2050 RTP/SCS. April 4, 2024.
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Air Pollutant Averaging Time (Units) 2022 2023 2024
State Max 1 hour (ppm) 0.120 0.129 0.136

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TABLE 4.3-2, AIR QUALITY MONITORING SUMMARY
d. Significance Thresholds and Methodology

1. Thresholds of Significance
In accordance with Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, the 2050 General Plan Update (GPU) would have a significant impact related to air quality if it would:
a) Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan; b) Result in a cumulatively net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable Federal or State ambient air quality standard; c) Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations; or d) Result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people.

2. Methodology
This analysis focuses on the potential change in the air quality environment due to implementation of the Project. Air pollutant emissions would result from both construction and ~1:.tlil art]• 1, I I •
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Air Pollutant Averaging Time (Units) 2022 2023 2024
Days > CMQS 19 39 38
National Max 8 hour (ppm) 0.094 0.102 0.104
Days > NMQS threshold (0.070 ppm) 57 59 78
State Max 8 hour (ppm) 0.094 0.103 0.105
Days > CMQS threshold (0.07 ppm) 58 65 81
National Max 1 hour (ppm) 0.47 0.48 0.53
Nitrogen Days > NMQS threshold (0.100 ppm) 0 0 0
dioxide (N02) State Max 1 hour (ppm) 0.47 0.48 0.53
Days > CMQS threshold (0.18 ppm) 0 0 0
Annual Average (µg/m3) 37.3
Particulate Days > CMQS threshold (50 µg/m3) 11 6
matter (PM,o)
Days > NMQS threshold (150 µg/m3) 0 3.0
Fine
National Max (µg/m3) 36.0 72.7 62.7
particulate National Annual Average (µg/m3) 11.4 11 .7 13.9 matter (PM2.s) Days > NMQS threshold (35 µg/m3) 0 4 12

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operation of the Project. Specific methodologies used to evaluate these emissions are discussed below.

Although SCAQMD is responsible for regional air quality planning efforts, it does not have the authority to directly regulate the air quality issues associated with new development projects within the Air Basin, such as the Project. Instead, SCAQMD published the CEQA Air Quality Handbook in November 1993 to assist lead agencies, as well as consultants, project proponents, and other interested parties, in evaluating potential air quality impacts of projects proposed in the Air Basin. The CEQA Air Quality Handbook provides standards, methodologies, and procedures for conducting air quality analyses in EIRs and was used extensively in the preparation of this analysis. SCAQMD is currently in the process of replacing the CEQA Air Quality Handbook with the Air Quality Analysis Guidance Handbook. 29 In order to assist the CEQA practitioner in conducting an air quality analysis in the interim while the replacement Air Quality Analysis Guidance Handbook is being prepared, supplemental guidance/information is provided on the SCAQMD website and includes: (1) EMFAC on-road vehicle emission factors; (2) background CO concentrations; (3) localized significance thresholds; (4) mitigation measures and control efficiencies; (5) mobile source toxics analysis; (6) off-road mobile source emission factors; (7) PM2.5 significance thresholds and calculation methodology; and (8) updated SCAQMD Air Quality Significance Thresholds.30 SCAQMD also recommends using approved models to calculate emissions from land use projects, such as the California Emissions Estimator Model (CalEEMod). These recommendations were followed in the preparation of this analysis.

Compliance with Air Quality Standards
Based on the criteria set forth in SCAQMD’s CEQA Air Quality Handbook, 31 the Project would have
a significant impact if the Project’s estimated construction and operational emissions would cause emissions from the Project’s direct and indirect sources exceed any of the SCAQMD significance threshold levels identified in Table 4.3-3, SCAQMD Air Quality Significance Thresholds.

TABLE 4.3-3, SCAQMD AIR QUALITY SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLDS 29 SCAQMD. Air Quality Analysis Handbook.
30 SCAQMD. Air Quality Analysis Handbook.
31 SCAQMD. CEQA Air Quality Handbook, April 1993, Chapter 6. ~:.tlil art]• . '
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Pollutant Significance Threshold (pounds/day)
Construction Operation
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 100 55
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) 75 55

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TABLE 4.3-3, SCAQMD AIR QUALITY SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLDS Stationary Sources of Criteria Pollutants
The SCAQMD recommends the evaluation of localized air quality impacts to sensitive receptors in the immediate vicinity of the Project Site because of construction activities. The SCAQMD provides voluntary guidance on the evaluation of localized air quality impacts to public agencies conducting environmental review of projects located within its jurisdiction. Localized air quality impacts are evaluated by examining the on-site generation of pollutants and their resulting downwind concentrations. For construction, pollutant concentrations are compared to significance thresholds for particulates (PM10 and PM2.5), CO, and NO2. The significance threshold for PM10 represents compliance with SCAQMD Rule 403 (Fugitive Dust). The threshold for PM2.5 is designed to limit emissions and to allow progress toward attainment of the AAQS. Thresholds for CO and NO2 represent the allowable increase in concentrations above background levels that would not cause or contribute to an exceedance of their respective AAQS.

The LST Methodology provides lookup tables of maximum allowable emissions in pounds per day that are based on the area of a construction site from 1 acre up to 5 acres in size.32 For areas less than 1 acre in size, the LST for a 1-acre site was used in accordance with SCAQMD methodology.

Stationary Sources of Toxic Air Contaminants
Whereas criteria pollutants are common pollutants of concern associated with a large variety of activities, stationary sources of TACs are usually associated with specific land uses such as gasoline stations, power plants, dry cleaners, and other commercial and industrial uses. A common method of avoiding impacts associated with TACs is to site sensitive land uses outside 32 SCAQMD. Final Localized Significance Threshold (LST) Methodology. “Appendix C - Mass Rate LST Look-up Table.” http://www.aqmd.gov/docs/default-source/ceqa/handbook/localized-significance-thresholds/appendix-c-massrate-lst-look-up-tables.pdf?sfvrsn=2. Accessed June 2026.

Pollutant Significance Threshold (pounds/day)
Construction Operation
Coarse Particulate Matter (PM10) 150 150
Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.s) 55 55
Sulfur Oxides (SOx) 150 150
Carbon Monoxide (CO) 550 550
Lead (Pb) 3 3
Source: SCAQMD. Air Quality Significance Thresholds. March 2023. https://www.aqmd.gov/docs/defaultsource/ceqa/ha ndbook/south-coast-aq md-ai r-q ua lity-significa nce-thresholds.pdf?sfvrsn= 25. Accessed May 2026.
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specified buffer zones adjacent to or surrounding major emitters or facilities of concern (and vice versa). The CARB Air Quality and Land Use Handbook: A Community Health Perspective (CARB 2005) makes recommendations directed at protecting sensitive land uses from air pollutant emissions, while balancing a myriad of other land use issues (e.g., adequate housing, transportation needs, and economic development).

The handbook includes minimum recommended distances for the siting of new land uses with respect to existing sources of TACs. Table 4.3-4, CARB Land Use Siting Constraints summarizes the siting recommendations that may apply in the city if these sources are proposed.

TABLE 4.3-4, CARB LAND USE SITING CONSTRAINTS
If a development project is consistent with these land use buffers, the development would not be expected to expose sensitive receptors to substantial TAC concentrations. If a development project conflicts with these land use buffers, further project-specific analysis that includes air dispersion modeling would be warranted to determine if the proposed project would expose sensitive receptors to TAC concentrations resulting in cancer risks exceeding applicable thresholds. The SCAQMD’s significance threshold for incremental cancer risk associated with a project is 10 excess cancer cases per 1 million people.

Source Category
Distribution Centers
Rail Yards
Refineries
Chrome Platers
Dry Cleaners using Perchloroethylene (1 machine)
Dry Cleaners using Perchloroethylene (2 machines)
Dry Cleaners using Perchloroethylene (3 or more machines) Large Gas Station (3.6 million gallons or more per year) Other Gas Stations
Recommended Buffer
Distance (Feet)
1,000
1,000
Requires consultation with
local air district
1,000
300
500
Requires consultation with
the local air district
300
50 ~-:.tli art]•
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Consistency with Applicable Plans and Policies
Section 15125 of the CEQA Guidelines requires an analysis of project consistency with applicable governmental plans and policies. In accordance with the SCAQMD’s CEQA Air Quality Handbook, 33 the following criteria are used to evaluate the Project’s consistency with the SCAQMD’s 2022 AQMP:
• Criterion 1: Will the project result in any of the following:
− An increase in the frequency or severity of existing air quality violations − Cause or contribute to new air quality violations; or − Delay timely attainment of air quality standards or the interim emission reductions specified in the AQMP?
• Criterion 2: Will the project exceed the assumptions utilized in preparing the AQMP? − Is the project consistent with the population and employment growth projections upon which AQMP forecasted emission levels are based;
− Does the project include air quality mitigation measures; or − To what extent is project development consistent with the AQMP control measures? e. Impact Analysis
Implementation of the proposed 2050 GPU would accommodate future residential, commercial, industrial, public facility, and circulation-related development within the city through year 2050.

Future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU could generate temporary construction emissions and long-term operational emissions associated with vehicle travel, energy consumption, area sources, stationary equipment, landscaping activities, and other urban development activities typical of Southern California communities.

The 2050 GPU incorporates several Air Quality Element policies intended to reduce pollutant emissions, improve local air quality conditions, minimize exposure of sensitive receptors, and support regional air quality planning objectives. These policies include implementation of dust control measures during construction activities, promotion of cleaner industrial technologies, reduction of transportation-related emissions, prioritization of air quality improvements in areas exposed to elevated pollutant concentrations, and consideration of environmental justice issues during land use planning decisions.

As described in Section 2, Project Description, the 2050 GPU emphasizes preservation of Norco's existing rural and equestrian-oriented atmosphere while directing future enhancement and redevelopment activities into identified commercial corridors, employment areas, and focus areas. The 2050 GPU also promotes multimodal transportation improvements, expanded 33 SCAQMD. Air Quality Analysis Handbook. Chapter 12.
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pedestrian-equestrian connectivity, traffic calming strategies, and enhanced mobility throughout the city. These land use and circulation strategies are intended to support reductions in transportation-related emissions while accommodating future growth within the city.

Future development projects facilitated by the 2050 GPU would continue to be subject to applicable SCAQMD regulations, the Norco Municipal Code, and project-specific environmental review, as appropriate. The following discussion evaluates the potential air quality impacts associated with implementation of the 2050 GPU.

1. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold a. Conflict with or obstruct implementation of the applicable air quality plan?
Less than Significant Impact. The City of Norco is located within the South Coast Air Basin, which is under the jurisdiction of the SCAQMD. The AQMP serves as the region's comprehensive strategy for attaining and maintaining State and Federal ambient air quality standards through coordinated land use planning, transportation planning, and emissions control measures. The AQMP is developed using population, housing, employment, and transportation forecasts prepared by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), which serve as the basis for regional growth planning.

The proposed 2050 GPU would accommodate projected growth through year 2050 while maintaining the city's existing planning area of approximately 9,808 acres. Compared to existing year 2026 conditions, implementation of the 2050 GPU would accommodate an increase of approximately 3,106 residents, 1,110 households, and 1,794 jobs by year 2050. As described in Section 2, Project Description, future growth would be directed toward established neighborhoods, commercial corridors, employment districts, and identified focus areas while preserving Norco's existing rural and equestrian-oriented atmosphere. The 2050 GPU also promotes multimodal circulation improvements, expanded pedestrian-equestrian connectivity, traffic calming strategies, and other transportation improvements intended to improve mobility and reduce transportation-related emissions.

The AQMP relies on regional growth forecasts prepared by SCAG and incorporates anticipated population, housing, employment, and transportation growth throughout the South Coast Air Basin. The 2050 GPU would accommodate future growth within the city's existing boundaries and would not result in development patterns that substantially exceed or conflict with regional growth assumptions. Furthermore, implementation of the 2050 GPU would occur within the framework of applicable regional air quality planning efforts and would support regional objectives through implementation of Air Quality Element policies intended to reduce emissions associated with future growth and development.
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Future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU would continue to be subject to applicable SCAQMD regulations, the Norco Municipal Code, and project-specific environmental review, as appropriate. Accordingly, the 2050 GPU would not conflict with or obstruct implementation of the AQMP or other applicable regional air quality planning efforts. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would remain less than significant.

Threshold b. Result in a cumulatively net increase of any criteria pollutant for which the project region is non-attainment under an applicable federal or state ambient air quality standard?
Less than Significant Impact. Future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU would generate criteria pollutant emissions from both construction and operational activities. Construction emissions would result from grading, excavation, paving, building construction, architectural coatings, material deliveries, and operation of construction equipment. Operational emissions would result from vehicle trips, area sources, energy consumption, landscaping equipment, and stationary sources associated with future residential, commercial, industrial, and public uses.

The South Coast Air Basin is currently designated nonattainment for ozone and particulate matter standards. As a result, emissions generated within the Basin contribute incrementally to cumulative regional air quality conditions. Future development accommodated under the 2050 GPU would similarly contribute to regional emissions inventories; however, implementation of the 2050 GPU would occur within the regional planning framework established by SCAG and the AQMP. The 2050 GPU also includes Goal OSC-15, which seeks to support SCAQMD efforts to achieve regional attainment levels for ozone and particulate matter. Consistent with this goal, Policy OSC-15.2 requires implementation of dust control measures during construction activities, Policy OSC-15.3 promotes cleaner industrial technologies and more efficient stationary source equipment, and Policy OSC-7.5 supports efforts to reduce transportation-related emissions. In addition, Policies OSC-7.7 and OSC-7.8 prioritize air quality improvement efforts in areas exposed to elevated pollutant concentrations and require consideration of environmental justice issues during land use planning decisions. Collectively, these policies are intended to reduce emissions associated with future growth and development and support regional air quality attainment efforts.

As described in Section 2, Project Description, the 2050 GPU promotes a development pattern that concentrates future enhancement and redevelopment activities within established areas of the city while maintaining much of Norco's existing low-density rural character. The 2050 GPU ~-:.tli art]•
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also promotes multimodal circulation improvements and enhanced pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian connectivity intended to reduce dependence on vehicle travel for local trips. These strategies support reductions in emissions associated with transportation sources, which represent a substantial contributor to regional air pollution.

Future discretionary development projects facilitated by the 2050 GPU would continue to undergo project-specific review and would be required to comply with applicable SCAQMD regulations. Through implementation of the 2050 GPU's land use framework, Goal OSC-15 and associated Air Quality Element policies, and applicable regulatory requirements, the 2050 GPU would support regional efforts to attain applicable air quality standards and would not result in a cumulatively considerable contribution to regional criteria pollutant emissions. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would remain less than significant.

Threshold c. Expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations?
Less than Significant Impact. Sensitive receptors include residences, schools, parks, childcare facilities, senior housing, and other land uses where occupants may be more susceptible to adverse health effects associated with air pollution exposure. Existing sensitive receptors are located throughout the city, including residential neighborhoods situated near I-15 and major roadway corridors where concentrations of vehicle-related pollutants may be elevated.

Implementation of the 2050 GPU would facilitate future residential, commercial, industrial, public facility, and circulation-related development throughout the city through year 2050. Depending on the location and nature of future development, construction activities and operational emission sources could occur in proximity to existing or future sensitive receptors. In addition, the 2050 GPU could facilitate new sensitive receptors in areas that may be exposed to emissions from nearby transportation corridors, commercial activities, or other emission sources.

To address these potential exposure concerns, the 2050 GPU includes Goal OSC-15, which supports regional air quality improvement efforts and includes policies intended to reduce pollutant exposure and protect sensitive populations. Policy OSC-15.7 prioritizes air quality enhancement efforts in areas exposed to the highest concentrations of air pollutants, including areas near I-15, while Policy OSC-15.8 requires consideration of environmental justice issues and protection of residents from potential health impacts associated with air pollution. In addition, the 2050 GPU's land use framework directs future growth toward established neighborhoods, commercial corridors, employment areas, and focus areas while preserving much of the city's ~-:.tli art]•
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existing residential and rural residential character. These land use planning strategies help promote compatibility between emission sources and sensitive land uses.

Future development projects with the potential to expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations would continue to be evaluated during project-specific environmental review and would be required to comply with applicable SCAQMD regulations and other regulatory requirements. Through implementation of Goal OSC-15, associated Air Quality Element policies, and applicable regulatory requirements, exposure of sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations would be minimized. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would remain less than significant.

Threshold d. Result in other emissions (such as those leading to odors) adversely affecting a substantial number of people?
Less than Significant Impact. Future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU could generate temporary odors associated with construction activities, including diesel exhaust, paving operations, architectural coatings, and construction materials. Operational odor sources could include restaurants, commercial kitchens, industrial uses, landscaping activities, maintenance operations, agricultural activities, animal-keeping activities, and other land uses consistent with Norco's rural and equestrian-oriented atmosphere.

Odors generated by construction activities are generally temporary, localized, and intermittent in nature and would dissipate rapidly once construction activities are completed. Similarly, operational odors associated with future development would typically be limited to areas immediately surrounding the source and would not be expected to affect large portions of the community. While future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU may introduce new odorgenerating land uses, such uses would generally be dispersed throughout the city and would be subject to applicable land use compatibility requirements.

The 2050 GPU includes policies intended to reduce emissions and nuisance conditions associated with future development. Specifically, Policy OSC-15.4 promotes regular maintenance of vents and filters and encourages the use of air scrubbing technologies to reduce emissions from restaurants and commercial kitchens. In addition, Goal OSC-15 supports regional air quality improvement efforts and implementation of measures intended to reduce emissions associated with future development. The 2050 GPU's land use framework also directs future enhancement and redevelopment activities into established commercial corridors, employment areas, and focus areas while preserving much of the city's existing rural residential character. These ~-:.tli art]•
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planning strategies help minimize potential land use compatibility conflicts associated with odorgenerating activities.

Future development projects would continue to be subject to applicable SCAQMD regulations, the Norco Municipal Code, and project-specific review processes intended to minimize nuisance conditions and land use compatibility conflicts. Because odor-generating emissions associated with future development would generally be localized, intermittent, and subject to existing regulatory controls, implementation of the 2050 GPU would not result in odor impacts affecting a substantial number of people. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would remain less than significant.
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This section describes existing biological resources in the City of Norco, as well as agencies and regulations related to the protection of sensitive natural resources and addresses potential impacts to biological resources as a result of growth forecast under the 2050 General Plan Update (GPU). The biological resources documented in this section were determined through an extensive desktop review of biological species databases and GIS data available for the city and Western Riverside County. The base vegetation community mapping was prepared using the regional vegetation map prepared for the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WR-MSHCP) database.

The sensitive flora and fauna species described below are known to occur in the Planning Area based on information obtained from the desktop review. General flora and fauna species were determined based on the identified vegetation communities and species that typically occur in these habitats. A search of the California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) was conducted to identify historical occurrences of sensitive plants and wildlife species within one mile of the Planning Area. The CNDDB search is included as Appendix 4.4 of this Program EIR (PEIR). a. Existing Conditions

1. Vegetation Communities/Land Cover Types
A total of 14 vegetation communities/land cover types have been identified in the Planning Area as shown in Figure 4.4-1, Vegetation Communities/Land Cover Types. Areas of native vegetation predominantly occur in the north, northwest, and southeast portions of the city. The existing vegetation communities/land cover types as defined by the WR-MSHCP include: Montane Coniferous Forest, Woodlands and Forest, Coastal Sage Scrub, Riversidean Alluvial Fan Sage Scrub, Desert Scrubs, Chaparral, Playas and Vernal Pools, Grasslands, Riparian Scrub/Woodland/Forest, Meadows and Marshes, Cismontane Alkali Marsh, Water, Developed/Disturbed Land, Agricultural Land. The existing vegetation communities and land cover types are summarized below.
• Montane Coniferous Forest occurs within the San Jacinto Mountains, Agua Tibia, Cleveland National Forest, and Santa Rosa Mountains.
• Woodlands and Forest are composed of black oak forests, broad-leaved upland forests, oak woodlands, and peninsular juniper woodland vegetation communities. • Coastal Sage Scrub occurs from the eastern slopes of the Santa Ana Mountains to elevations in the San Jacinto Mountains less than 1,500 m (5,000 ft). Sage scrub is often distributed in patches throughout its range; over a scale of several miles, it can be found in diverse vegetation community mosaics with other plant communities, particularly grassland and chaparral, and oak/riparian woodland in wetter areas. In Western Riverside County coastal sage scrub is found both in large contiguous blocks scattered throughout the County as well as integrated with chaparral and grasslands. Coastal sage scrub is fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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dominated by a characteristic suite of low-statured, aromatic, drought-deciduous shrubs, and subshrub species. Composition varies substantially depending on physical circumstances and the successional status of the vegetation community. • Riversidean Alluvial Fan Sage Scrub occurs throughout many drainages within the WRMSHCP Plan Area. Large acreages of the vegetation occur on the Santa Ana River near Lake Evans in the City of Riverside; along the San Gorgonio River and tributaries near Banning; on the San Jacinto River from the National Forest to the Soboba Indian Reservation; near Temecula along Temecula Creek; the Aguanga area; Bautista Creek south of Hemet; and near Murrieta and Glen Ivy in the Temescal Valley. Riversidean alluvial fan sage scrub is a Mediterranean shrubland type that occurs in washes and on gently sloping alluvial fans. Alluvial scrub is made predominantly of drought-deciduous soft-leaved shrubs, but with significant cover of larger perennial species typically found in chaparrals. Scalebroom generally is regarded as an indicator of Riversidian alluvial scrub.
• Desert Scrub, including big sagebrush scrub and Sonoran Desert scrub, occurs mostly in the southeastern portion of the WR-MSHCP Plan Area.
• Chaparral vegetation is the most abundant and widespread vegetation type in Western Riverside County, covering approximately 35 percent (434,950 acres) of the WR-MSHCP Plan Area. Large contiguous stands of chaparral occur along the Santa Ana Mountains in the western portion of the Plan Area, and along the San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Agua Tibia Mountains in the eastern and southern portions. Although chaparral is less common than other vegetation types in the central lowlands of Riverside County, three large chaparral-dominated areas occur on steeper lands near the Gavilan Hills-Gavilan Plateau-Meadowbrook Region, the Lakeview Mountains-Double Butte area, and the Sedco Hills-Hogbacks area. Chaparral is a shrub-dominated vegetation community that is composed largely of evergreen species that range from 1 to 4 m in height. The most common and widespread species within chaparral is chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum). • Playas and Vernal Pools are found in Western Riverside County in the San Jacinto Valley/Perris Basin and on the Santa Rosa Plateau. Vernal pools are ephemeral wetlands that form in shallow depressions underlain by a substrate near the surface that restricts the downward percolation of water. Depressions in the landscape fill with rainwater and runoff from adjacent areas during the winter and may remain inundated until spring or early summer, sometimes drying more than once during the wet season. Smaller pools can fill and dry, and larger pools can hold water longer and may in the deeper portions support species that are more representative of freshwater marshes. Vernal pools are well-known for their high levels of endemism and abundance of rare, threatened, or endangered species. Many vernal pools are characterized by concentric rings of plants that flower sequentially as the pools dry. Vernal pools are dominated by native annual plants, with low to moderate levels of perennial herbaceous cover. fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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FIGURE 4.4-1, VEGETATION COMMUNITIES / LAND COVER TYPES

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4.4 BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
SOURCE: Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency, Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) – 2026. PAGE 4.4.3 fil~ lft]® CITY or NORCO
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• Grasslands occur throughout most of Western Riverside County and cover approximately 12.2% (154,140 acres) of the WR-MSHCP Plan Area. Two general types of grasslands occur in Southern California: (1) non-native dominated, primarily annual grassland ("non-native grassland"); and (2) native dominated, perennial grassland ("valley and foothill grassland").
• Riparian Scrub/Woodland/Forest and scrub subtypes, are distributed in waterways and drainages throughout much of Western Riverside County, covering approximately 1.2 percent (15,030 acres) of the WR-MSHCP Plan Area. Southern cottonwood/willow forest makes up the largest proportion of the riparian vegetation in the Plan Area, comprising nearly one-half (6,610 acres) of the acreage. Most of the southern cottonwood/willow forest vegetation community occurs along the Santa Ana River drainage from Lake Evans to beyond the Prado Basin, along the San Gorgonio River north of Banning and along Temecula Creek east of Vail Lake. Riparian communities typically consist of one or more deciduous tree species with an assorted understory of shrubs and herbs. • Meadows and Marshes. Approximately 1,020 acres of meadow and marsh vegetation communities, including coastal and valley freshwater marsh, undifferentiated marsh, and wet montane meadow, exist within the WR-MSHCP Plan Area. Occurrences of this vegetation community have been mapped in the Prado Basin in the Santa Ana River Valley, on the Santa Ana River near Pedley, north of Lake Elsinore in Walker Canyon, near San Jacinto, along the shores of Lake Skinner and Vail Lake, and adjacent to the cismontane alkali marsh on Cahuilla Creek. Meadow and marsh vegetation communities occur in both flowing and still water.
• Cismontane Alkali Marsh Vegetation communities are scattered sparsely over the Western Riverside County region, occupying approximately 0.1% (1,260 acres) of the Plan Area. Cismontane alkali marsh was mapped in two general localities along Cahuilla Creek south of Anza and upstream from Lake Mathews along the Colorado River aqueduct. • Water was mapped at Vail Lake, Lake Skinner, Diamond Valley Lake, Lake Perris, Mystic Lake, Canyon Lake, Lake Elsinore, Lee Lake, Lake Mathews, Hemet Lake, portions of the San Jacinto River, and portions of the Santa Ana River, as well as various small ponds, private reservoirs, and portions of stream channels. Open water typically is unvegetated due to a lack of light penetration. However, open water may contain suspended organisms such as filamentous green algae, phytoplankton (including diatoms), and desmids.
• Developed/Disturbed Lands consist of areas that have been disced, cleared, or otherwise altered. Developed lands may include roadways, existing buildings, and structures. The largest areas of developed land are in the Cities (and surrounding unincorporated communities) of Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, (Meadowbrook, Alberhill, El Cariso and Lakeland Village), Hemet (East Hemet and Valle Vista), in Moreno Valley, and along the SR-91 corridor from Riverside through Corona and Norco. fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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• Agricultural Lands include areas occupied by dairies and livestock feed yards or areas that have been tilled for use as croplands or groves/orchards. Approximately 13.5 percent of the Plan Area (169,480 acres) consists of agricultural lands. The largest areas of dairy and livestock feed yards are located north of San Jacinto and north of Juniper Flats in the communities of Lakeview, Mystic Lake, Nuevo, southeast Perris, Eastvale, Lake Norconian off of Bellegrave Avenue, Norco, and in Glen Avon.

2. Sensitive Plant Species
A total of two sensitive plant species are known to historically occur in the Planning Area. These plants and their statuses are summarized in Appendix 4.4 and include the following:
• Santa Ana River woollystar is Federally and State-endangered and is a WR-MSHCPcovered species. This subshrub is endemic to the Santa Ana River drainage and thrives in open areas that receive a lot of sun and where there are infrequent flood events that contribute to seed dispersal. The Santa Ana River woollystar grows in sandy areas and is a pioneer species, meaning that it will take over previously unutilized habitat.1 • Western Joshua tree currently receives State protection under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) and as a candidate for listing under CESA. The species is not listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). Western Joshua trees are found on a variety of landforms in the Mojave Desert and Great Basin ecoregions, including gentle alluvial fans, bajadas, flats, ridges, mesas, and gentle to moderate slopes, often near the bases of mountains. The greatest densities of Joshua trees may be found on well-drained sandy to gravelly alluvial fans. Where western Joshua tree is less common, it is likely restricted to areas with sufficient groundwater, such as large sand dunes or groundwater drainages.

3. Sensitive Wildlife Species
A total of 19 sensitive wildlife species are known to historically occur in the vicinity of the Planning Area. These wildlife species and their status are summarized in Appendix 4.4 and include the following:
• Western spadefoot has a Federal designation of Proposed Threatened. The western spadefoot ranges throughout the Central Valley and adjacent foothills. This species occurs primarily in grasslands, but occasional populations also occur in valley-foothill hardwood woodlands.2
1 State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Santa Ana River Woollystar (Eriastrum densifolium ssp. sanctorum). Accessed May 2026. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Plants/Endangered/Eriastrum-densifoliumssp-sanctorum. 2 CDFW. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System. January 2000. Accessed May 2026. file:///C:/Users/Mhernandez/Downloads/LHA_A028%20(3).pdf. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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• Bald eagle has a State designation as Endangered. Bald eagles nest on a variety of natural structures, including projections or ledges on cliffs, trees protruding from cliffs, in deciduous trees lining river courses, and in a number of conifer species found along or near major water bodies.3
• Southwestern Willow Flycatcher has a Federal and State designation of Endangered.

Breeding Southwestern Willow Flycatchers are riparian obligates, typically nesting in relatively dense riparian vegetation where surface water is present or soil moisture is high enough to maintain the appropriate vegetation characteristics.4 • Least Bell’s vireo is listed as Endangered in 1986 because of historical and ongoing habitat loss. The least Bell’s vireo is a small migratory bird. Historically, the least Bell’s vireo also ranged throughout the California Central Valley and the central California Coast ranges.5
• Swainson’s hawk was listed as a threatened species in 1983 by the California Fish and Game Commission based on loss of habitat and decreased numbers across the state.

The Swainson’s hawk is adapted to the open grasslands, with nests often peripheral to riparian systems.6
• Tricolored blackbird has a State status of Threatened and are located year-round in agricultural areas in Central Valley. During the summer, tricolored blackbirds can be found passing through farmlands and wetlands.7
• Belding’s savannah sparrow is a State and Federally protected bird. It is a rare subspecies of the Savannah sparrow, however it is common on the marshes of San Diego Bay, and the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge. Belding’s savannah sparrows nest in the pickleweed salt marsh vegetation that occurs along the outer levees of the salt ponds, within the lower reach of the Otay River, and along the edges of the South Bay in remnant patches of salt marsh vegetation.8
• California black rail is listed as a State of California Threatened Species and a Federal Species of Management Concern due to its small population sizes. California black rail is most commonly found in tidal emergent wetlands dominated by pickleweed, or in 3 CDFW. Protocol for Evaluating Bald Eagle Habitat and Populations in California. 2004. Accessed May 2026. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Survey-Protocols#377281284-birds. 4 USGS. A Natural History Summary and Survey Protocol for Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. 2010. Accessed May 2026. https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/soutwestern-willow-flycatcher-summary-protocol.pdf. 5 USFWS. Least Bell’s Vireo. Accessed May 2026. https://www.fws.gov/species/least-bells-vireo-vireo-bellii-pusillus. 6 CDFW. Swainson’s Hawks in California. Accessed May 2026. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Birds/SwainsonsHawk. 7 Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Tricolored Blackbird. Accessed May 2026. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tricolored_Blackbird/overview. 8 USFWS. Belding’s Savannah Sparrow. Accessed May 2026. https://www.fws.gov/story/beldings-savannahsparrow. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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brackish marshes supporting bulrushes in association with pickleweed. In freshwater, they can be found in bulrushes, cattails, and salt grass.9 • Burrowing owl is a candidate for potential listing as a protected species under the California Endangered Species Act. Threats facing burrowing owls in California are direct mortality and permanent habitat loss caused by urbanization and reduction or elimination of their primary burrow excavators — ground squirrels — from grazing and agricultural lands.10
• Willow flycatcher is a candidate for potential listing as an endangered species in California. Willow Flycatchers breed in shrubby areas with standing water or along streams. In some parts of their range, they also nest in woodland edges and dry, brushy thickets. In winter they use tropical shrubby clearings, pastures, and woodland edges, often near water.11
• Little willow flycatcher is an Endangered Species in the State of California. This bird is a subspecies of the Willow Flycatcher and is primarily found in wetland and riparian areas throughout the western United States and parts of Canada. These birds are migratory, traveling considerable distances to breed during the warmer months and seeking refuge in warmer climes during winter.12
• Western yellow-billed cuckoo is a Federally Threatened and State Endangered species.

The western yellow-billed cuckoo is also a riparian species that breeds in low- to moderate-elevation native forests lining the rivers and streams of the western United States. Western yellow-billed cuckoos require relatively large (>20 hectares), contiguous patches of multilayered riparian habitat for nesting. The multilayered canopy provides shade and traps moisture to create the relatively cooler and more humid streamside conditions which are believed to be important for nesting success. They are also known to nest in early to mid-successional native riparian habitat.13 • Coastal California gnatcatcher is a Federally Threatened species. This gnatcatcher typically occurs in or near coastal sage scrub, a habitat characterized by relatively low growing, dry-season deciduous, and succulent plants. Characteristic plants of these 9 CDFW. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System – Black Rail. Accessed May 2026. file:///C:/Users/Mhernandez/Downloads/LHA_B143.pdf.
10 CDFW. Fish and Game Commission: Western Burrowing Owl Becomes CESA Candidate. October 2024. Accessed May 2026. https://wildlife.ca.gov/News/Archive/fish-and-game-commission-western-burrowing-owl-becomes-cesacandidate-wildlife-prosecutor-of-the-year-named-waterfowlers-hall-of-fame-inductees-recognized. 11 Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Willow flycatcher. Accessed May 2026. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Willow_Flycatcher/id. 12 Avian Discovery Bird Identification. Little Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii brewsteri). Accessed May 2026. https://www.aviandiscovery.com/bird-identification/little-willow-flycatcher-empidonax-traillii-brewsteri/. 13 NPS. Western yellow-billed Cuckoo. Accessed May 2026. https://www.nps.gov/articles/western-yellow-billedcuckoo.htm. '@'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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communities include California sagebrush, California buckwheat, laurel sumac, lemonade berry, bush penstemon, and various species of sage (Salvia spp.).14 • Steelhead – southern California DPS is Endangered under Federal listing and the State of California. Freshwater spawning sites, freshwater rearing sites, freshwater migration corridors, estuarine areas, and marine areas are sites and habitat components that support southern California Steelhead DPS for survival, growth, and reproduction.15 • Santa Ana sucker is a Federally Threatened species. The Santa Ana sucker is found in three disjunct populations that occupy portions of the San Gabriel, Los Angeles, and Santa Ana River basins in Southern California.16
• Crotch’s bumble bee is a Candidate Endangered species under the State of California.

The historic range of B. crotchii extends from central California south to Baja California del Norte, Mexico, and includes coastal areas east to the edges of the deserts and the Central Valley, but largely excluding mountainous areas of California.17 • Stephen’s kangaroo rat is a Threatened species under Federal listing and the State of California. Kangaroo rats possess a number of behavioral, morphological, and physiological adaptations that allow them to inhabit warm, arid environments. Its habitat generally consists of open grasslands and sparsely vegetated scrub.18 • Southwestern pond turtle is a Proposed Threatened species under Federal listing. The southwestern pond turtle occurs in southern California from Monterey County south to Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties into northern Baja California, Mexico. The turtles use rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, other water sources and terrestrial habitats throughout their lives. 19
• Mojave desert tortoise is a Threatened Federal species and listed as Endangered under the State of California. The Mojave population of desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) includes all tortoises north and west of the Colorado River in Arizona, Utah, Nevada and 14 USFWS. Coastal California Gnatcatcher. Accessed May 2026. https://www.fws.gov/story/coastal-californiagnatcatcher. 15 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Southern California steelhead recovery plan. Accessed May 2026. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/15988. 16 USFWS. Santa Ana Sucker. Accessed May 2026. https://www.fws.gov/species/santa-ana-sucker-catostomussantaanae. 17 Nature Serve Explorer. Crotch’s Bumble bee. Accessed May 2026. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.834085/Bombus_crotchii. 18 USFWS. Stephen’s Kangaroo Rat. Accessed May 2026. https://www.fws.gov/species/stephens-kangaroo-ratdipodomy s-stephensi. 19 USFWS. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes Federal protections for both species of western pond turtle under the Endangered Species Act. September 2023. Accessed May 2026. https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2023-09/usfish-and-wildlife-service-proposes-federal-protections-both-species. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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California. Mojave population of desert tortoise lives in a variety of habitats from sandy flats to rocky foothills, including alluvial fans, washes, and canyons.20

4. Jurisdictional Waters
Several drainages are present in the hillside areas of the northern portion of the city and fall under the regulatory authority of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These drainages are considered “Waters of the U.S.” and are located in several small canyons where seasonal drainage occurs during the wet season. Within these drainages there is a small amount of wetlands. Some riparian habitat occurs within these areas, which is under the authority of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Figure 4.4-2, Potential Jurisdictional Waters shows the potential jurisdictional waters within the city.

5. Wildlife Movement and Corridors
Habitat linkages and wildlife corridors are defined as areas that connect suitable wildlife habitat in a region otherwise fragmented by rugged terrain, changes in vegetation, or human disturbance. Natural features such as canyon drainages, ridgelines, or areas with vegetation cover provide corridors for wildlife travel. Habitat linkages and wildlife corridors are important because they provide access to mates, food, and water; allow the dispersal of individuals away from high population density areas; and facilitate the exchange of genetic traits between populations.

The Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WR-MSHCP) identifies Existing Core A within the City of Norco, as shown in Figure 4.4-3, WR-MSHCP Cores and Linkages, which consists of the Prado Basin and the Santa Ana River. Existing Core A also serves as a Linkage connecting Orange County to the west with San Bernardino County to the north.

Existing Core A is constrained on all sides by existing urban development and agricultural use, and planned uses surrounding the Core consist largely of high impact land uses such as City and Community Development.

High quality riparian habitat exists within the Existing Core A and provides suitable habitat for species such as southwestern willow flycatcher, yellow warbler, yellow-breasted chat, western yellow-billed cuckoo, and others listed in the WR-MSHCP. Floodplain processes and water quality along the Santa Ana River is also important to Santa Ana River woollystar and arroyo chub. 20 USFWS. Desert Tortoise. Accessed May 2026. https://www.fws.gov/species/desert-tortoise-gopherus-agassizii. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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FIGURE 4.4-2, POTENTIAL JURISDICTIONAL WATERS

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SOURCE: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory, Surface Waters and Wetlands – 2026. PAGE 4.4.10 ~= LEGEND
Estuarine and Marine
Deepwater
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D Estuarine and Marine Wetland
D Freshwater Emergent Wetland
Freshwater Forested/Shrub
Wetland
D Freshwater Pond
c~~;a~KL· ■ Lake
D Other
D Riverine

FIGURE 4.4-3, WR-MSHCP CORES AND LINKAGES

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SOURCE: Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency, Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) – 2026. PAGE 4.4.11 Core

PROPOSED CORES & HABITAT BLOCKS
Proposed Extension of Existing Cores
Noncontiguous Habitat Block
Constrained Linkage

PROPOSED LINKAGES
Linkage
Constrained Linkage

EXISTING CORES & LINKAGES
Core
Linkage
Noncontiguous Habitat Block
Existing Channel
NORCO
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b. Regulatory Setting

1. Federal
Federal Endangered Species Act
The Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, 16 United States Code (USC) 1531 et seq., provides for listing of endangered and threatened species of plants and animals and designation of critical habitat for listed animal species. The ESA also prohibits all persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction from “taking” endangered species, which includes any harm or harassment. Section 7 of the ESA requires that Federal agencies, prior to project approval, consult USFWS and/or the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to ensure adequate protection of listed species that may be affected by the project.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)21 is a Federal statute that implements treaties with several countries on the conservation and protection of migratory birds. The number of bird species covered by the MBTA is extensive and is listed at 50 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 10.13.

The regulatory definition of “migratory bird” is broad and includes any mutation or hybrid of a listed species and includes any part, egg, or nest of such bird.22 Migratory birds are not necessarily Federally listed endangered or threatened birds under the ESA. The MBTA, which is enforced by USFWS, makes it unlawful “by any means or in any manner, to pursue, hunt, take, capture, [or] kill” any migratory bird, or attempt such actions, except as permitted by regulation.

The applicable regulations prohibit the take, possession import, export, transport, sale, purchase, barter or offering of these activities, except under a valid permit or as permitted in the implementing regulations.23
Clean Water Act of 1972
The purpose of the Clean Water Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of all waters of the U.S. In accordance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), USACE regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S.

Permitting is required for filling waters of the U.S. (including wetlands). Permits may be issued on an individual basis, or may be covered under approved nationwide permits. The term “waters of the United States” is defined as:
• All waters currently used, or used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; • All interstate waters, including interstate wetlands; 21 16 USC 703 et seq.
22 50 CFR 10.12
23 50 CFR 21.11
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• All other waters such as intrastate lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes or natural ponds; the use, degradation, or destruction of which could affect foreign commerce including any such waters: (1) which could be used by interstate or foreign travelers for recreational or other purposes; or (2) from which fish or shell fish are, or could be taken and sold in interstate or foreign commerce; or (3) which are used or could be used for industries in interstate commerce.
• All other impoundments of waters otherwise as defined as waters of the United States under the definition;
• Tributaries of waters identified above;
• The territorial seas; and
• Wetlands adjacent to waters (other than waters that are themselves wetlands) identified in the paragraphs above.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The USFWS implements the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA)24. The USFWS shares responsibility for implementation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA)25 with the National Marine Fisheries Service (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA Fisheries]). The USFWS generally implements the ESA for land and freshwater species, while NOAA Fisheries implements the FESA for marine and anadromous species. Projects that would result in take of any Federally listed threatened or endangered species are required to obtain permits from the USFWS or NOAA Fisheries through either Section 7 (interagency consultation with a Federal nexus) or Sections 9 and 10 (incidental take permit/Habitat Conservation Plan) of ESA, depending on the involvement by the Federal government in permitting or funding the project.

The ESA prohibits the unpermitted take of Federally listed threatened or endangered species. “Take” under Federal definition means to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.” Proposed or candidate species do not have the full protection of ESA; however, the USFWS and NOAA Fisheries advise project applicants that they could be elevated to listed status at any time.

The MBTA, as amended in 1972, protects nesting migratory birds by making it unlawful to “take” (kill, harm, harass, etc.) any migratory bird listed in 50 CFR 10, including their nests, eggs, or products. Migratory birds include geese, ducks, shorebirds, raptors, songbirds, and many other species.
24 16 United States Code (USC) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. 25 16 USC Section 1531.
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Under Section 404 of the CWA and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, the USACE has authority to regulate activity that could discharge fill or dredge material or otherwise adversely modify wetlands or other waters of the United States. Perennial and intermittent creeks and adjacent wetlands are considered waters of the United States and are within the regulatory jurisdiction of the USACE. The USACE implements the Federal policy embodied in Executive Order 11990, which, when implemented, is intended to result in no net loss of wetland values or acres. In achieving the goals of the CWA, the Corps seeks to avoid adverse impacts and to offset unavoidable adverse impacts on existing aquatic resources. Any fill or adverse modification of waters of the U.S., including wetlands, would require a permit from the Corps prior to the start of work. Typically, permits issued by the Corps are a condition of a project as mitigation.

2. State
California Endangered Species Act
Similar to the Federal ESA, the California ESA provides protection to species considered threatened or endangered by the State of California. The California ESA recognizes the importance of threatened and endangered fish, wildlife and plant species and their habitats, and prohibits the taking of any endangered, threatened, or rare plant and/or animal species unless specifically permitted for education or management purposes.

California Fish and Game Code, Section 1602
Under Section 1602 of the Fish and Game Code, CDFW regulates activities that would divert or obstruct the natural flow of or substantially change the bed, channel, or bank of any river, stream or lake that supports fish or wildlife. CDFW has jurisdiction over riparian habitats (e.g., southern willow scrub) associated with watercourses. Jurisdictional waters are delineated by the outer edge of riparian vegetation or at the top of the bank of streams or lakes, whichever is wider.

CDFW jurisdiction does not include tidal areas or isolated resources.

The Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA)
CDFW also has authority to administer the Native Plant Protection Act (NPPA).26 The NPPA requires the CDFW to establish criteria for determining if a species, subspecies, or variety of native plant is endangered or rare. Under Section 1913(c) of the NPPA, the owner of land where a rare or endangered native plant is growing is required to notify the department at least 10 days in advance of changing the land use to allow for salvage of the plant(s). 26 CFGC Section 1900 et seq.
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Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Program
The NCCPA allows for the development of broad-based ecosystem-level plans for the protection and perpetuation of biological diversity. The primary objective of Natural Community Conservation Plans prepared under the NCCPA is to conserve natural communities at the ecosystem level while accommodating compatible land use. Plants protected under an approved Natural Community Conservation Plan may be “taken” by activities covered under the plan, but also typically receive a large amount of conservation and protection.

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act
The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (WJTCA) is a California Law that was enacted in July 2023. The WJTCA prohibits the importation, export, take, possession, purchase, or sale of any western Joshua tree in California unless authorized by CDFW. The WJTCA authorizes CDFW to issue permits for the incidental take of one or more western Joshua trees if the permittee meets certain conditions. Permittees may pay specified fees in lieu of conducting mitigation activities.

The act also authorizes CDFW to issue permits for the removal of dead western Joshua trees and the trimming of live western Joshua trees under certain circumstances.

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan
The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan (Conservation Plan) was developed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in collaboration with the Fish and Game Commission (Commission), governmental agencies, California Native American tribes, and the public as required by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. The Conservation Plan provides a comprehensive set of management actions necessary to conserve the western Joshua tree in California. The management actions include guidance to avoid and minimize direct and indirect impacts to western Joshua trees, land conservation and management strategies, tribal comanagement objectives, research, and information gathering that will help inform future conservation, and an approach to provide public education and awareness on western Joshua tree conservation issues. The Conservation Plan was approved by the Commission on August 13, 2025.27

3. Regional
Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WR-MSHCP)
The Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WR-MSHCP) is a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) focusing on conservation of species and their associated habitats in Western Riverside County. The overall goal of this plan is to maintain biological and ecological diversity within a rapidly urbanizing region. The WR27 State of California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan. August 2025.

Accessed May 2026. https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Environmental-Review/WJT/Conservation-Plan. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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MSHCP is meant to allow participating jurisdictions to better control local land-use decisions and accommodate growth while addressing the requirements of the State and Federal Endangered Species Acts.

The MSHCP Conservation Area
In addition to the features incorporated in the MSHCP Plan Map, the MSHCP Conservation Area includes bioregions, vegetation, soils, patch size, and edge affected lands. The MSHCP is composed of approximately 575 patches varying from small and large areas to balance the conservation of narrowly distributed species and preserve the greatest number of species and protect habitat function with the least management effort.

Areas of high fragmentation are subjected to Edge Effects, examples of which include the introduction/colonization of non-native species, increased predation, increased fire frequency, and small-scale environmental changes in temperature, light, and wind. The MSHCP Conservation Areas would be subjected to these Edge Effects due to urbanization within the plan area. Guidelines pertaining to Urban/Wildlands Interface for the management of edge factors such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators.28 Management entities in Existing Core A include: the County of Riverside Parks and Open Space District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Orange County Water District, and California Department of Parks and Recreation.

General Management Measures
These General Management Measures will be undertaken to benefit all Covered Species throughout the MSHCP Conservation Area.

1. Control of unauthorized public access to the MSHCP Conservation Area using appropriate fencing, gates and signage, trash removal, trespass control in response to illegal dumping, off-road vehicle use, and vandalism.

2. An initial baseline assessment of Additional Reserve Lands will be undertaken within the first four years of conveyance of such lands to the MSHCP Conservation Area. The baseline assessments will include a general characterization of existing habitat conditions, species presence and diversity, presence of threats, and general identification of management issues. The assessment will be documented and presented to the RMOC for inclusion in the MSHCP annual reports. Existing baseline data will be used for the existing reserves and will be augmented by new data collected during monitoring efforts. Baseline data are currently being gathered on existing Public/QuasiPublic Lands.

3. Upland habitats within the MSHCP Conservation Area will be maintained and managed to the extent Feasible in a condition similar to or better than the habitat's conditions at 28 Riverside County. Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation List. Accessed May 2026. https://rctlma.org/multiple-species-habitat-conservation-plan-mshcp-volume-1-section-6-mshcpimplementation-n#2392643287-3068970988. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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the time lands are conveyed to the MSHCP Conservation Area. Baseline upland habitat conditions will be measured at the time of conveyance to the MSHCP Conservation Area according to the following parameters: general vegetation characteristics, proportion of native versus exotic species, recent evidence of fire or other apparent ecosystem processes that might change habitat quality. The condition of upland habitat will be measured during regular monitoring intervals identified in the MSHCP Biological Monitoring Program. Remedial action will be recommended if there is a substantial decline in native species compared to the baseline (greater presence of exotics) or other apparent threats to habitat conditions are observed. A sample form is presented in this section to provide consistency in how and what data are collected. The form is not intended to be prescriptive; it may be used as is or modified at the discretion of the Reserve Manager.

4. Wetland habitat within the MSHCP Conservation Area will be maintained and managed to the extent Feasible in a condition similar to or better than the habitat's condition at the time the lands are conveyed to the MSHCP Conservation Area. Baseline wetland habitat conditions will be measured at the time lands are conveyed to the MSHCP Conservation Area according to the following general parameters: general vegetation characteristics, proportion of native versus exotic species, general presence, and extent of common wetland threats, including tamarisk, arundo, cowbirds, other exotic predators such as bullfrogs, erosion, and sedimentation. Wetland habitat conditions will be measured during regular monitoring intervals identified in the MSHCP Monitoring Plan (see Section 5.3 of this document). Remedial actions will be recommended if a substantial decline is documented in habitat conditions or native species compared to the baseline (greater presence of exotics) or other apparent threats to habitat conditions. A sample form is presented on the following page to provide consistency in how and what data are collected. The form is not intended to be prescriptive; it may be used as is or modified at the discretion of the Reserve Manager.

5. Existing known or newly observed active raptor nests shall be conserved within the MSHCP Conservation Area. Implementation of this objective will benefit the following species:
• Bald eagle
• Burrowing owl
• California spotted owl
• Cooper’s hawk
• Ferruginous hawk
• Golden eagle
• Merlin
• Northern goshawk
• Northern harrier
• Osprey
• peregrine falcon
• prairie falcon
• sharp-shinned hawk
• Swainson's hawk
• turkey vulture
• white-tailed kite
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6. Management activities will be directed toward both existing known Core Areas and species Localities as identified in the species conservation objectives as well as new Core Areas and localities that may be identified in the future. • Unless otherwise specified in the species-specific conservation objectives, species presence and continued use shall be maintained at 75% of the locations identified for each species in the species' accounts, as measured at a minimum once every eight years. Species decline below this threshold, or other thresholds as noted in the species-specific conservation objectives, shall trigger management actions. Specific management actions shall be based on site-specific information and recommendations. These specific management actions will be in addition to ongoing management activities.
• The identified 75% threshold is the default lower limit (unless otherwise specified) and may be modified as new data are collected over time. Thresholds shall be determined by the RMOC which will meet five years after initial Permit issuance and every year thereafter to evaluate new data and review species-specific trigger points.

It is anticipated that sufficient data will be available to determine species-specific trigger points for management activities by Year 15 after Permit issuance.

7. General management efforts will be directed to respond to natural and anthropogenic disturbance regimes, particularly those that may be causing ecosystem state transition (conversion of one habitat type to another). Table 5-1 is not intended to prescribe management activities that may need to be undertaken but is intended to identify a common list of considerations and potential actions for Reserve Managers to evaluate.

Pre-existing and post-disturbance conditions (e.g., habitat type, slope aspect, anticipated seed bank, accessibility, surrounding habitat types, etc.) and special considerations (e.g., soil type, acreage of disturbance, proximity to undisturbed habitat, proximity to sensitive wildlife habitat, etc.) will contribute to determining the appropriate management activities in response to the disturbance regimes.

8. In larger habitat blocks within the MSHCP Conservation Area, fire management activities such as prescribed burning may be determined to be desirable to achieve biological goals within the MSHCP Conservation Area. Such activities shall be considered in the detailed management plans for each management unit within the MSHCP Conservation Area, that will be prepared within five years after approval of the MSHCP. Such fire management activities, if undertaken, must consider both biological resources needs and public health and safety considerations. The risks of uncontrolled wildfire in proximity to developed areas must be a primary consideration when evaluating these types of fire management practices.
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4. Local
Municipal Code
Title 18 of the Norco Municipal Code provides zoning designations of different intensities within the Planning Area. The purpose of the “Open Space” zoning designation is to provide for the protection and preservation of sensitive environments. The City Municipal Code provides general development standards for these areas.
c. Methodology
The evaluation of the potential for implementation of the 2050 GPU to cause a substantial adverse change to biological resources was based on Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines. The evaluation considers the impacts of growth forecast under the 2050 GPU to current conditions in the Planning Area. Potential impacts to sensitive species, vegetation communities, and wildlife movement corridors were based on secondary source information, including the USFWS, and digital imagery.
d. Impact Analysis

1. Thresholds of Significance
For the purposes of this PEIR, implementation of the proposed Project may have a significant adverse impact if it would result in the following:
a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFW or USFWS; b) Have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by the CDFW or USFWS;
c) Have a substantial adverse effect on Federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means; d) Interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites;
e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as tree preservation policy/ordinance; or
f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or State habitat conservation plan. fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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2. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold a. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans, policies, or regulations, or by the CDFW or USFWS?
Less than Significant Impact. The 2050 GPU would facilitate development and activities that have the potential to impact sensitive plant and wildlife species. As shown in Appendix 4.4, CNDDB Search, a total of 19 sensitive species of plants, fish, reptiles, birds, mammals, and invertebrates are known to occur and/or have the potential to occur in the Planning Area. Future development could result in direct and indirect impacts to sensitive plant and wildlife species, including those located in the WR-MSHCP and Conservation Area.

Direct impacts to sensitive plant and wildlife species could result from grubbing, mass grading, clearing, and other construction activities. Additionally, direct impacts to nesting or migratory birds, including raptors (as protected under the MBTA), could result from the removal of vegetation during the bird breeding season, which is typically from January 15 to September 15.

Indirect impacts to sensitive plant or wildlife species could result from excess noise, lighting, or runoff generated during project construction or operation in areas located adjacent to occupied habitat. Required adherence to NPDES regulations, as discussed further in Section 4.9, Hydrology and Water Quality, would ensure that BMPs are implemented, reducing or preventing the discharge of pollutants associated with urban runoff, which have the potential to adversely affect water quality and thus, sensitive species.

Future land use plans would be required to be consistent with the 2050 GPU policies relevant to sensitive species as well as the WR-MSHCP and would contain design guidelines to address impacts to sensitive species. Additionally, a multi-agency Joint Project Review, pursuant to the WR-MSHCP would be required for any future development within Conservation Areas to ensure that any proposed future development is consistent with the WR-MSHCP, as well as undergo further environmental review in accordance with CEQA requirements.

The following Open Space and Conservation Element policies of the 2050 GPU would ensure that impacts to sensitive plant and wildlife species are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development. These policies state that, when possible, impacts to significant biological resources are avoided and, if avoidance is not possible, that measures to mitigate impacts are implemented.

GOAL OSC-7: PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF NATURAL LANDSCAPES. The City will promote the preservation and restoration of natural landscapes that embody the region’s prehistory and reflect Norco’s heritage.
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POLICIES
OSC-7.1. Habitat Restoration. Support the removal of invasive plant species and the restoration of natural habitats along the Santa Ana River through coordination with partner agencies and community stewardship efforts, while promoting habitat restoration practices that improve ecosystem health, enhance water quality, reduce fire risk, and improve trail accessibility by clearing overgrown vegetation.

OSC-7.3. New Development. Require new development to incorporate native and naturalized landscape that maintains Norco’s rural atmosphere.

GOAL OSC-17: RIVER CORRIDOR PROTECTION. The City will protect and enhance the soil and hydrologic functions of the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat integrity, and flood management.

POLICY
OSC-17.1. Riparian Soil Protection. Preserve natural soils and riparian vegetation within and adjacent to the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat function, and flood management.

All future development would be required to comply with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations that concern the preservation of biological resources, including the WR-MSHCP, MBTA and CEQA. Specifically, all future developments would be required to comply with the MBTA, which would ensure that all active migratory bird nests are avoided during project construction. Sensitive species conserved within the Conservation Areas would be subject to species-specific conservation objectives and General Management Measures, which would ensure that populations of sensitive species are adequately conserved through protection, monitoring, and adaptive management strategies.29
As future development is planned, it must also adhere to applicable 2050 GPU policies.

Adherence to 2050 GPU policies would ensure that sensitive species are protected and impacts to these sensitive species would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.
29 Riverside County Planning Department. Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

Accessed May 2026. https://planning.rctlma.org/epd/wr-mshcp. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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Threshold b. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on any riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community identified in local or regional plans, policies, and regulations or by the CDFW or USFWS? Less than Significant Impact. The 2050 GPU would facilitate development and activities that could impact sensitive vegetation communities. As discussed in 4.4a Existing Conditions, above, and shown in Appendix 4.4, CNDDB Search, there are no sensitive vegetation communities mapped in the Corona North quad, which includes the entire boundaries of the City of Norco.

However, the WR-MSHCP designates Conservation Areas within the city, primarily along the Santa Ana River to the north. These Conservation Areas are considered sensitive due to their limited occurrence and ability to support diverse and sensitive species. Therefore, future development has the potential to result in direct and indirect impacts to sensitive vegetation communities in the Planning Area through habitat removal and grading activities associated with construction. Additionally indirect impacts, such as edge effects, could also result should project construction and/or development introduce runoff, toxins, and/or invasive species into adjacent vegetation communities. The 2050 GPU would include implementation of Areas of Conservation, which consist of Norco’s parks, trails, and natural open space areas, such as the Santa Ana River and undeveloped areas of Norco Hills which may contain sensitive natural communities. These designated Areas of Conservation would provide shelter for wildlife, as well as preserve recreational space for residents. Further, buildout of the 2050 GPU would adhere to applicable regulations, such as NPDES regulations, as discussed in Section 4.9, Hydrology and Water Quality. Adherence to NPDES regulations would ensure that BMPs are implemented, reducing or preventing the discharge of pollutants associated with urban runoff, which have the potential to adversely affect water quality and thus, sensitive communities.

Future land use plans would be required to be consistent with the 2050 GPU policies relevant to sensitive vegetation communities as well as the WR-MSHCP. Additionally, a MSHCP Joint Project Review would be required for any proposed development within Conservation Areas to ensure that future development is consistent with the WR-MSHCP, as well as undergo further environmental review in accordance with CEQA requirements.

The following Open Space and Conservation Element Policies of the 2050 GPU would ensure that impacts to sensitive vegetation communities are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development:

GOAL OSC-7. PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF NATURAL LANDSCAPES. The City will promote the preservation and restoration of natural landscapes that embody the region’s prehistory and reflect Norco’s heritage.

POLICIES
OSC-7.1 Habitat Restoration. Support the removal of invasive plant species and the restoration of natural habitats along the Santa Ana River through coordination with fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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partner agencies and community stewardship efforts, while promoting habitat restoration practices that improve ecosystem health, enhance water quality, reduce fire risk, and improve trail accessibility by clearing overgrown vegetation.

OSC-7.2 New Development. Require new development to incorporate native and naturalized landscape that maintains Norco’s rural atmosphere.

GOAL OSC-17: RIVER CORRIDOR PROTECTION. The City will protect and enhance the soil and hydrologic functions of the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat integrity, and flood management.

POLICIES
OSC-17.1 Riparian Soil Protection. Preserve natural soils and riparian vegetation within and adjacent to the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat function, and flood management.

OSC-17.2 River Corridor Infiltration. Ensure development near the Santa Ana River corridor incorporates setbacks, biofiltration, and low-impact development techniques to maintain natural infiltration capacity.

All future development would be required to comply with applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations that concern the preservation of sensitive vegetation communities, including the WR-MSCHP. Future development projects in Conservation Areas would be required to undergo Joint Project Review and environmental review pursuant to CEQA, which requires an evaluation of impacts to sensitive vegetation communities and mitigation for significant impacts.

Additionally, sensitive vegetation communities conserved within the Conservation Areas would be subject to specific conservation objectives and General Management Measures, which would ensure the conservation of sensitive vegetation communities through protection, monitoring, and adaptive management strategies.

As future development is planned, it must also adhere to applicable 2050 GPU policies and regulations; the intent of which is to provide the protection and conservation of sensitive natural communities and species. Adherence to these and other policies would ensure that riparian habitats are maintained, and impacts are minimized. Impacts to sensitive vegetation communities and riparian habitat associated with development facilitated by the 2050 GPU would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.
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Threshold c. Would the project have a substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means? Less than Significant Impact. As shown in Figure 4.4-2, the Planning Area contains portions of the Santa Ana River and blue line streams associated with the Santa Ana River that are likely jurisdictional. Future development could result in direct impacts to jurisdictional resources should it encroach into jurisdictional waters and wetlands through grading or vegetation removal. Additionally, indirect impacts to jurisdictional resources may occur during and after construction or operations if these activities introduce runoff, toxics, or invasive species into these systems. Required adherence to NPDES regulations, as discussed in Section 4.10, Hydrology and Water Quality, would ensure that BMPs are implemented, reducing or preventing the discharge of pollutants associated with urban runoff, which have the potential to adversely affect water quality in wetland communities.

The following Open Space and Conservation Element Policies of the 2050 GPU would ensure that impacts to wetlands are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development.

GOAL OSC-17: RIVER CORRIDOR PROTECTION. The City will protect and enhance the soil and hydrologic functions of the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat integrity, and flood management.

POLICY
OSC-17.1 Riparian Soil Protection. Preserve natural soils and riparian vegetation within and adjacent to the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat function, and flood management.

OSC-7: PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF NATURAL LANDSCAPES. The City will promote the preservation and restoration of natural landscapes that embody the region’s prehistory and reflect Norco’s heritage.

POLICIES
OSC-7.1 Habitat Restoration. Support the removal of invasive plant species and the restoration of natural habitats along the Santa Ana River through coordination with partner agencies and community stewardship efforts, while promoting habitat restoration practices that improve ecosystem health, enhance water quality, reduce fire risk, and improve trail accessibility by clearing overgrown vegetation.

OSC-7.3 New Development. Require new development to incorporate native and naturalized landscape that maintains Norco’s rural atmosphere. fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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All future development would be required to comply with applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations that concern the preservation of wetlands and other jurisdictional waters, including the Federal Clean Water Act, CDFW, and CEQA. Should it be determined that impacts to jurisdictional waters or wetlands would potentially result from a proposed project, a formal wetland delineation would be required in conjunction with future project applications to identify the precise boundaries of jurisdictional resources and determine the extent of any potential impacts.

Direct impacts would require a Section 404 permit for impacts to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) jurisdictional waters, and a Section 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement for impacts to CDFW jurisdictional waters, and a Section 401 Water Quality Certification for impacts to RWQCB jurisdictional waters. For development in Native American tribal lands, permitting would still be required for work in potentially jurisdictional areas. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable 2050 GPU policies and regulations, which would ensure that land use and development regulations are applied to reduce development impacts to sensitive biological areas. Impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold d. Would the project interfere substantially with the movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species or with established native resident or migratory wildlife corridors, or impede the use of native wildlife nursery sites?
Less than Significant Impact. The 2050 GPU would facilitate development and activities that could impact wildlife movement corridors within the city limits. Future development consistent with the 2050 GPU could result in direct impacts to the movement of resident and migratory wildlife species should existing wildlife movement corridors be constrained or replaced by future development.

The Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (WR-MSHCP) identifies Existing Core A within the City of Norco, which also serves as a Linkage connecting Orange County to the west with San Bernardino County to the north. Additionally, Conservation Areas would be subject to specific conservation objectives and General Management Measures, which would ensure the conservation of wildlife corridors and native wildlife nursery sites through protection, monitoring, and adaptive management strategies.

Joint Project Review would also be required for any development in areas containing Areas of Conservation to ensure that future development is consistent with the 2050 GPU. In addition, the following Open Space and Conservation Element Policies of the 2050 GPU would ensure fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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that impacts to wildlife corridors or wildlife movement are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development.

GOAL OSC-7: PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF NATURAL LANDSCAPES. The City will promote the preservation and restoration of natural landscapes that embody the region’s prehistory and reflect Norco’s heritage.

POLICY
OSC-7.3 New Development. Require new development to incorporate native and naturalized landscape that maintains Norco’s rural atmosphere.

GOAL OSC-17: RIVER CORRIDOR PROTECTION. The City will protect and enhance the soil and hydrologic functions of the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat integrity, and flood management.

POLICY
OSC-17.1 Riparian Soil Protection. Preserve natural soils and riparian vegetation within and adjacent to the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat function, and flood management.

All future development would be required to comply with applicable Federal, State, and regional laws and regulations that concern the preservation of significant wildlife movement corridors, including the WR-MSHCP, MBTA, and CEQA. Additionally, future development located within the land use types designated as Conservation Areas identified by the WR-MSHCP, would be subject to specific conservation objectives and General Management Measures, which would ensure the protection of regionally significant biological corridors and linkages. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable 2050 GPU policies and regulations, which would ensure that land use and development regulations are applied to reduce developmental impacts to sensitive biological areas such as wildlife movement corridors. Accordingly, impacts to wildlife corridors would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold e. Would the project conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as tree preservation policy/ordinance? Less than Significant Impact. Implementation of the 2050 GPU would be subject to all applicable local policies and regulations related to the protection of important biological resources.

Specifically, development under the 2050 GPU would be required to comply with the City of fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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Norco Municipal Code. The Norco Municipal Code Chapter 12, Trees, provides standards for the removal of trees. The ordinance requires a tree removal permit and replacement plantings for any tree to be removed during project construction.30 In addition, development facilitated by the 2050 GPU would adhere to Open Space and Conservation Element Policies of the 2050 GPU, which would ensure that potential impacts to biological resources within the city are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development.

OSC-7: PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF NATURAL LANDSCAPES. The City will promote the preservation and restoration of natural landscapes that embody the region’s prehistory and reflect Norco’s heritage.

POLICIES
OSC-7.1 Habitat Restoration. Support the removal of invasive plant species and the restoration of natural habitats along the Santa Ana River through coordination with partner agencies and community stewardship efforts, while promoting habitat restoration practices that improve ecosystem health, enhance water quality, reduce fire risk, and improve trail accessibility by clearing overgrown vegetation.

OSC-7.3 New Development. Require new development to incorporate native and naturalized landscape that maintains Norco’s rural atmosphere.

All future development would be required to comply with applicable Federal, State, and regional laws and regulations that concern the preservation of biological resources within the city protected by local ordinances or policies. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable 2050 GPU policies and regulations, which would ensure that land use and development regulations are applied to reduce developmental impacts to biological resources.

Accordingly, impacts to any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as tree preservation policy/ordinance would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.

Threshold f. Would the project conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan, Natural Community Conservation Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? Less than Significant Impact. The majority of the Conservation Areas identified in the WR-MSHCP are located along the northern boundary within the city, fronting the Santa Ana River. As 30 City of Norco. “Chapter 12.08.040 Tree Removal.” Norco Municipal Code. Accessed May 2026. https://ecode360.com/48450597?highlight=tree&highlight=trees&searchId=1559316679683314#48450597. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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discussed above, development in Conservation Areas located within the city limits would be required to undergo a Joint Project Review to ensure that development is in accordance with the WR-MSHCP.

In addition, the following Open Space and Conservation Element Policies of the 2050 GPU would further ensure that impacts resulting from conflicts with the WR-MSHCP are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized, as well as ensure the 2050 GPU is consistent with the WR-MSHCP.

GOAL OSC-17: RIVER CORRIDOR PROTECTION. The City will protect and enhance the soil and hydrologic functions of the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat integrity, and flood management.

POLICIES
OSC-17.1 Riparian Soil Protection. Preserve natural soils and riparian vegetation within and adjacent to the Santa Ana River corridor to support groundwater recharge, habitat function, and flood management.

OSC-17.2 River Corridor Infiltration. Ensure development near the Santa Ana River corridor incorporates setbacks, biofiltration, and low-impact development techniques to maintain natural infiltration capacity.

All future development would be required to undergo project-specific environmental review pursuant to CEQA, which requires an evaluation of impacts with respect to conflict with the WRMSHCP and mitigation for significant impacts. As future projects are planned, they must adhere to applicable 2050 GPU policies. Therefore, future development would not conflict with the WRMSHCP, and impacts associated with growth forecast under the 2050 GPU would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would be less than significant.
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This section includes a brief summary of cultural resources background information and a review of known archaeological and built environment resources. The cultural and historical resource information presented in this section is based on the results of a record search of the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS), prepared for the Planning Area by Chronicle Heritage in June 2025. The analysis evaluates the potential impacts to historical and archaeological resources as a result of growth accommodated by the 2050 General Plan Update (2050 GPU). Potential impacts to tribal resources are addressed in Section 4.18, Tribal Cultural Resources. Potential impacts to paleontological resources are addressed in Section 4.7, Geology and Soils.
a. Existing Conditions

1. Location
The City of Norco lies approximately 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles within the northwestern corner of Riverside County, near the confluence of Riverside, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties. Urban areas of San Bernardino County lie to the north and connect directly with Norco via the Interstate 15 (I-15) Freeway. Orange and Los Angeles Counties lie to the west and connect to Norco via State Route (SR) - 91 just south of the city and SR-60 approximately five miles to the north. Norco is bordered by the cities of Eastvale and Jurupa Valley to the north, Corona to the west and south, and Riverside and unincorporated Riverside County to the east.

2. Regional History
The area that is now the City has a long history that predates European settlement. Prior to Spanish exploration and colonization, the region was inhabited by the Luiseño Indians, part of the larger Shoshonean linguistic group. These Indigenous communities occupied much of Southern California and used the Norco area primarily as a hunting and gathering ground. Their main village was located nearby Temescal Canyon. The name “Luiseño” was later assigned by the Spanish because the tribe occupied lands associated with the San Luis Rey Mission during the Spanish mission period.

During the Mexican era, the land that now comprises Norco became part of Rancho La Sierra, a large land grant issued in 1846 by Mexican Governor Pío Pico to Vicenta Sepulveda. The property later passed to Abel Stearns, an early cattle rancher and prominent figure in early Los Angeles governance. Following a severe drought in 1863, the land changed ownership several times as agricultural ventures struggled to succeed. Efforts by the San Jacinto Land Company and others to establish large-scale orange groves ultimately failed due to the region’s high winds and frost conditions.

In the early twentieth century, the Orange Heights Water Company purchased the property in 1908 and began developing wells and pipelines to support agricultural activity. The land was @~[fflm CITY OF NORCO
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subdivided and gradually transitioned toward animal-raising operations such as poultry and rabbit farming, some of which remain part of the community’s heritage today. A major phase of development began in 1921 when Rex Clark, with assistance from the North Corona Land Company, constructed many of the community’s earliest civic buildings. These included the first school, a general store, and the Norconian Resort, which became one of the area’s most notable historic landmarks.

The Norconian Resort was built on a hot springs discovered while drilling for irrigation water and occupied approximately 700 acres. During the early twentieth century, it became a popular destination for Hollywood celebrities and other visitors seeking a luxury retreat. Its popularity declined during the Great Depression, and in 1941 the property was purchased by the U.S. Navy for use as a hospital during World War II. After the war, the property was declared surplus and later divided into different institutional uses. Portions of the site are now used by the Department of the Navy as an ordnance laboratory, while other sections became part of the California Rehabilitation Center within the State prison system. The historic Norconian Hotel remains standing but is currently vacant. Recognizing its historic significance, the Norco City Council established a Historic Preservation Commission in 2009 to develop strategies for preserving and potentially restoring the landmark.

Community development continued in the post-war era. In 1948, Norco’s first public recreational facility was established when the original Norco School building was converted into a community center and operated by the Norco Recreation and Park District. During the 1950s and 1960s, population growth across Southern California increased development pressures in the region.

The construction of major freeways, San Bernardino (I-10) and Riverside (SR-91) freeways, improved access to employment centers in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, making Norco more accessible to commuters while still maintaining its animal-keeping lifestyle.

Because of the rapid growth in surrounding communities, and the previous loss of other unincorporated animal-keeping communities in Los Angeles and Orange counties, the City of Norco was incorporated as a General Law City in 1964 to preserve the animal-keeping community and lifestyle. In 2003, with approval from the voters, the City officially became a Charter City. In 2007, the City officially trademarked the name “Horsetown USA” with the U.S.

Patent and Trademark Office, and in 2021, the City Council adopted the Equestrian Historic District, which applies to all residential zones that allow animal keeping, as well as the commercially zoned parcels along Sixth Street between Sierra and California Avenues. To further elevate the recognition of Norco’s equestrian heritage, in November 2025, the City Council designated Norco as an Equestrian Landmark, which includes all residential properties in the existing Equestrian Historic District, residential properties in the City of Norco that have a zoning designation that allows animal-keeping by right, all trails, and all open space in the City of Norco. @~[fflm CITY OF NORCO
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3. Cultural Resources
A records search of the California Historical Resources Information System (CHRIS) at the Eastern Information Center (EIC) at the University of California, Riverside by Chronicle Heritage in June 2025. , available in Appendix 4.5: CHRIS Records Search. As part of the archival search, Chronicle Heritage conducted a record search at the EIC to identify previously recorded cultural resources and studies within city limits. The records search indicated that 82 previous cultural studies have been conducted. Cultural resources studies worth mentioning involve three studies, RI-04979 of the Wyle Laboratories Property; RI-08766 of Norco Ranch Commerce Park; and RI-10726 of the Norconian Resort, which are discussed further below.

There were 83 previously documented cultural resources that were identified within the record search area. Of these previously recorded resources, 38 date to the prehistoric period and 45 date to the historic period. The prehistoric resources include 35 sites and three isolated finds; and the historic period resources include two districts, eight sites, one feature of a site, 24 buildings, four structures, and six isolated finds.

Previously Identified Cultural Resources Studies
RI-04979
In 2003, McKenna and colleagues prepared a “Phase I Cultural Resources Investigation of the Wyle Laboratories Property in the City of Norco, Riverside County, California” for a project conducted in the hills separating the Corona area from the developed City of Norco. The study recorded two archaeological sites; each composed of multiple loci composed of multiple loci and isolated finds or smaller loci within the site boundaries. Results of the study concluded that the physical remains of the Wyle Laboratories are not considered significant, though the activities and associations with individuals may contribute to the significance of the Wyle Laboratories Complex. Because the presence of prehistoric remains representing two large Millingstone to Late Prehistoric Period sites may contain buried deposits, the property is considered relatively sensitive for potentially significant cultural resources. Full-time archaeological monitoring during ground disturbing activities was recommended.

RI-08766
In 2011, LSA Associates prepared the “Cultural Resources Assessment, Norco Ranch Commerce Park, City of Norco, Riverside County, California.” This study assessed potential project-related substantial adverse changes to cultural resources for approximately 50 parcels of land on the south side of Second Street between Pacific and Mountain Avenues. Results of the study documented seven historic-period archaeological resources in the study area, the majority of which consist of concrete slabs or foundations associated with residences and the former Norco Egg Ranch. Additionally, 18 historic-period buildings, composed of offices and residences dating from 1915 to 1960, were documented and evaluated for significance pursuant to CEQA. @~[fflm CITY OF NORCO
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One resource, at 1658 Mountain Avenue, was determined to be a historical resource, and consists of the only remaining historic period buildings associated with the Norco Egg Ranch, including the former home, garage, and original egg plant building founded by Harry and Hilda Eisen. These historic-period buildings were determined significant under Criteria A and B of the City’s preservation ordinance for their association with poultry farming, the Norco Egg Ranch, and the Eisens. Preservation of the historic-period buildings was not feasible and, therefore, LSA Associates, Inc. recommended mitigation that primarily funded community art and education of Norco Egg Ranch and the Eisens.

RI-10726
In 2019 the “City of Norco Cultural Resource Nomination Application Landmark Designation Application for: The Expansion of Norco Landmark #1 to Encompass all Historic Resources Associated with the Norconian Resort, Naval Hospital Corona, and Naval Weapons Station Corona Generally Bounded by 5th Street, Western Avenue, Norco College, and Hammer Avenue, Norco, CA 92860” was prepared This nomination application includes property identification, historical data, historic context, qualifications for City Cultural Heritage Landmark listing, site and landscape improvements, and architectural descriptions of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona and California Rehabilitation Center, Norco, property (Lake Norconian Club) at the southeast corner of Fifth and Western Avenue.

The hotel and buildings associated with the resort history of the property are listed in the NRHP and the buildings associated with additions and improvements during its use as a naval hospital are under review by the Federal government. The Lake Norconian Club hotel building is listed as the City of Norco’s Cultural Heritage Landmark #1.
b. Regulatory Setting

1. State
California Environmental Quality Act
The proposed Project is subject to compliance with CEQA, as amended. Compliance with CEQA statutes and guidelines requires both public and private projects with financing or approval from a public agency to assess a project’s impact on cultural resources.1 A proposed project that may cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource may have a significant effect on the environment under CEQA.2 1
1 Public Resources Code [PRC] Section 21082, 21083.2, and 21084 and California Code of Regulations 10564.5. 2 Section 15064.5(b) of the CEQA Guidelines.
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Pursuant to CEQA, a historical resource is a resource listed in, or eligible for listing in, the California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR).3 In addition, resources included in a local register of historical resources or identified as significant in a local survey conducted in accordance with State guidelines are also considered historical resources under CEQA unless a preponderance of facts demonstrates otherwise.4 Furthermore, any object, building, structure, site, area, place, record, or manuscript determined by the Lead Agency to be significant is a historical resource provided the determination is supported by substantial evidence in light of the whole record. Generally, the fact that a resource is not listed in, or determined eligible for listing in, the CRHR or is not included in a local register or survey shall not preclude a Lead Agency from determining that the resource may be a historical resource.

California Register of Historical Resources Program
Created in 1992 and implemented in 1998, the CRHR is a State government program to identify the State’s historical resources and to indicate what properties are to be protected, to the extent prudent and feasible, from substantial adverse change.5 Certain properties, including those listed in, or formally determined eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and California Historical Landmarks numbered 770 and higher are automatically included in the CRHR. California Historical Landmarks are buildings, sites, features, or events that are of Statewide significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic, scientific or technical, religious, experimental, or other historical value.

Other properties recognized under the California Points of Historical Interest program, identified as significant in historical resources surveys, or designated by local landmarks programs, may be nominated for inclusion in the CRHR. California Points of Historical Interest are buildings, sites, features, or events that are of local (city or county) significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic, scientific or technical, religious, experimental, or other historical value. A resource, either an individual property or a contributor to a historic district, may be listed in the CRHR if the State Historical Resources Commission determines that it meets one or more of the following criteria, which are modeled on NRHP criteria:6 • Criterion 1: It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California’s history and cultural heritage. • Criterion 2: Associated with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national history.
3 PRC, Sections 21083.2 and 21084.1; Section 15064.5(a) of the CEQA Guidelines. 4 Section 15064.5(a) of the CEQA Guidelines.
5 PRC Section 5024.1[a].
6 PRC Section 5024.1[c].
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• Criterion 3: It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction; represents the work of an important creative individual; or possesses high artistic values.
• Criterion 4: It has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory. Resources nominated to the CRHR must retain enough of their historic character or appearance to be recognizable as historical resources and to convey the reasons for their significance.7
It is possible that a resource whose integrity does not satisfy NRHP criteria may still be eligible for listing in the CRHR. A resource that has lost its historic character or appearance may still have sufficient integrity for the CRHR if, under Criterion 4, it maintains the potential to yield significant scientific or historical information or specific data. Resources that have achieved significance within the past 50 years may be also eligible for inclusion in the CRHR, provided that enough time has lapsed to obtain a scholarly perspective on the events or individuals associated with the resource.

The first step in the process is to identify cultural resources that may be impacted by a project and then to determine whether the resources are “historically significant” resources.

CEQA defines historically significant resources as, “resources listed or eligible for listing in the CRHR.”8 A cultural resource may be considered historically significant if the resource is 45 years old or older or possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.9 In addition, it must meet at least one or more of the criteria for listing on the CRHR mentioned above.

Cultural resources are buildings, sites, human-modified landscapes, traditional cultural properties, structures, or objects that may have historical, architectural, cultural, or scientific importance. CEQA states that if a project will have a significant impact on important cultural resources, deemed “historically significant,” then project alternatives and mitigation measures must be considered.

California Assembly Bill 52
Signed into law in September 2014, California Assembly Bill 52 (AB 52) created a new class of resources (tribal cultural resources [TCRs]) for consideration under CEQA. TCRs may include sites, features, places, cultural landscapes, sacred places, or objects with cultural value to California Native American tribes that are listed or that are determined to be eligible for listing 7 PRC Section 5024.1
8 PRC Section 5024.1
9 The OHP guidelines recognize a 45-year-old criteria threshold for documenting and evaluating cultural resources (assuming a five-year lag between resource identification and the date that planning decisions are made) (OHP 1995:2). The age threshold is an operational guideline and is not specific to CEQA statutory or regulatory codes.
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in the CRHR, included in a local register of historical resources, or a resource determined by the lead CEQA agency, in its discretion and supported by substantial evidence, to be significant and eligible for listing in the CRHR. AB 52 requires that the lead CEQA agency consult with California Native American tribes that have requested consultation for projects that may affect TCRs. The lead CEQA agency shall begin consultation with participating Native American tribes prior to the release of a negative declaration, mitigated negative declaration, or environmental impact report. Under AB 52, a project that has potential to cause a substantial adverse change to a TCR constitutes a significant effect on the environment unless mitigation reduces such effects to a less than significant level.

2. Local
City of Norco Municipal Code
The City of Norco Municipal Code, passed February 7, 2024, discusses historic preservation and agricultural heritage in Title 2 Administration and Personnel, Chapter 2.26 Historic Preservation and Agricultural Heritage Commission. The purpose of Title 2.26 states:

A. The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by providing for the identification, protection, enhancement, perpetuation and use of improvements, buildings, structures, signs, objects, features, sites, places, areas, districts, neighborhoods, streets, works of art, natural features and significant permanent landscaping having special historical, archaeological, cultural, architectural, community, aesthetic or artistic value in the City for the following reasons:

B. To safeguard the City’s heritage and agriculture as embodied and reflected in such resources;
C. As part of that heritage, to preserve and promote animal keeping, small farms, and agricultural activities as a distinctive part of Norco’s history and a defining value; D. To encourage public knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the City’s past; E. To foster civic and neighborhood pride and a sense of identity based on the recognition and use of cultural resources;
F. To promote the enjoyment and use of cultural resources appropriate for the education and recreation of the people of the City;
G. To preserve diverse and harmonious architectural styles and design preferences reflecting phases of the City’s history and to encourage complementary contemporary design and construction;
H. To enhance property values and to increase economic and financial benefits to the City and its inhabitants;
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I. To protect and enhance the City’s attraction to tourists and visitors, thereby stimulating business and industry;
J. To integrate the preservation of cultural resources and the extraction of relevant data from such resources into public and private land management and development processes; K. To conserve valuable material and energy resources by ongoing use and maintenance of the existing built environment.10
Cultural resources are discussed in Title 20 of the City of Norco Municipal Code. Chapter 20.15. outlines landmark designation criteria and states:

An improvement, object, or natural feature may be designated a landmark by the City Council upon recommendation of the Historic Preservation Commission if it is determined eligible, retains integrity and meets one or more of the following criteria:

A. Exemplifies or reflects special elements of the City’s cultural, social, economic, political, aesthetic, engineering, architectural or natural history; or B. Is identified with persons or events significant in local, State, or national history; or C. Embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; or D. Represents the work of a notable builder, designer, or architect; or E. Has a unique location or singular physical characteristics or is a view or vista representing an established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood community or of the City; or F. Reflects significant geographical patterns, including those associated with different eras of settlement and growth, particular transportation modes, or distinctive examples of park or community planning; or
G. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory.

A landmark shall include all improvements, objects, or natural features named in the landmark designation resolution. To qualify for landmark status, an improvement, object, or natural feature must be at least 50 years old or older.11 Equestrian Historic District and Equestrian Landmark
Equestrian Historic District
Adopted in October 2021, the Equestrian Historic District celebrates and preserves Norco’s agrarian heritage, while ensuring that its distinct character and enduring animal-keeping lifestyle 10 Ord. 1092 Sec. 1, 2023; Ord. 902 Sec. 1, 2008.
11 Ord. 910 Sec. 1, 2009.
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are protected for future generations. A Historic District is a demarcated area with properties that share a common theme. Most of the residentially zoned neighborhoods in Norco share a variety of elements pertinent to an Equestrian Historic District, including equestrian trails, equestrian trail fencing, parks with equestrian amenities, large lots (typically a half-acre or larger), and animal-keeping areas.

Approximately 6,000 residential properties, encompassing every property within the City’s various animal-keeping zones are included in the Equestrian Historic District, as shown in Figure

4.5-1, Equestrian Historic District. Additionally, the Equestrian Historic District includes commercial properties lining Sixth Street from Sierra Avenue to California Avenue because they reflect the equestrian-oriented atmosphere that is prized in Norco. The Equestrian Historic District does not impose any new requirements or obligations on property owners beyond existing zoning regulations.

Equestrian Historic Landmark
Designated in November 2025, the Equestrian Landmark further elevates the recognition of Norco’s profound heritage by preserving the three elements that are necessary to be recognized as an equestrian community: 1) large lots, 2) equestrian trails, and 3) open space. The Equestrian Landmark, as shown in Figure 4.5-2, Equestrian Landmark, includes: 1) all residential properties in the existing Equestrian Historic District, 2) all residential properties in the City of Norco that have a zoning designation that allows animal-keeping by right, 3) all trails in the City of Norco, and 4) all open space in the City of Norco. Animal-keeping is allowed by right under certain property conditions, which are defined in the Norco Municipal Code. The Equestrian Historic District and Equestrian Landmark complement each other while supporting the City’s mission to keep Norco “Norco,” without impacting residents’ ability to improve their property. c. Methodology
Impacts are based on evaluation of growth accommodated by the 2050 GPU against the current conditions in the Planning Area. Potential impacts relevant to historical resources, archaeological resources, tribal cultural resources, and paleontological resources were based on secondary source information, a survey of the Planning Area, and Federal, State, and local regulations.

Resource reports, including the CHRIS Records Search prepared by Chronicle Heritage can be found in Appendix 4.5 of this Draft Program EIR (PEIR). d. Impact Analysis

1. Thresholds of Significance
For the purposes of this PEIR, implementation of the proposed Project may have an adverse impact if it would result in the following:
a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an historical resource pursuant to Section 15064.5;
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b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to Section 15064.5; or
c) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of dedicated cemeteries.

2. Project Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Threshold a. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15064.5? Less than Significant Impact. Land disturbance, demolitions, and/or development associated with implementation of the 2050 GPU has the potential to result in direct impacts to historical resources through ground disturbance, physical demolition, destruction, relocation or alteration of a significant historic building or other structure, objects of community value and importance, or individual sites. Impacts to historic structures could occur through demolition or modification of an existing building determined to be of historical significance or its environs.

The Norconian Resort, the City’s Cultural Heritage Landmark #1, and the Wyle Laboratories Site are historical resources located on lands identified as areas of major to moderate change in the 2050 General Plan Land Use and Community Character Element, with the Preservation and Development (PAD) designation assigned to the Wyle Laboratories Site and the Preservation and Development – Norconian (PAD-NOR) designation assigned to the Norconian Resort Site. Lands within the PAD and PAD-NOR zoning designations are intended to manage the development of Norco’s special planning areas to protect and highlight Norco’s unique natural landscapes, open spaces, and historical buildings according to a specific planning process. All development within the PAD Designation would be subject to the provisions of the Objective Development Standards, which would ensure that buildout preserves, protects, and promotes Norco’s heritage and history.

In addition, the following Land Use and Community Character Element and Open Space and Conservation Element policies of the 2050 GPU would ensure that impacts to historical resources are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development:

GOAL LUCC-8: NORCONIAN RESORT SITE. The City will encourage the preservation, conservation, and development of the Norconian Resort Site in a way that protects and highlights Norco’s unique natural, cultural, and historic resources.

POLICIES
LUCC-8.1 Norconian Resort Site Specific Plan. Guide new development on the Norconian Site with a Specific Plan that establishes development standards requiring the following placemaking strategies:
• Land Use. Introduce new uses that are well-suited to the historic structures and natural topography of the site.
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Norco City Boundary
Sphere of Influence
Pedestrian-Equestrian Trails
Area Subject to Equestrian Historic District
Legend
Area Outside Equestrian Historic District
This figure is for illustrative purposes only.

See Norco Municipal Code Chapter 20.50
to view properties located within the
Equestrian Historic District.

Source: City of Norco (2026)
Other City Boundaries
N
SOURCE: City of Norco – 2026. FIGURE 2-3

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FIGURE 4.5-1, EQUESTRIAN HISTORIC DISTRICT
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Legend
This figure is for illustrative purposes only.

See Resolution No. 2025-69 and Ordinance
No. 1136 for requirements of properties
located within the Equestrian Landmark.

Norco City Boundary
Sphere of Influence
Pedestrian-Equestrian Trails
Area Subject to Equestrian Landmark
Area Outside Equestrian Historic District
Source: City of Norco (2026)
Other City Boundaries
N
SOURCE: City of Norco – 2026. FIGURE 2-3

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4.5 CULTURAL RESOURCES
PAGE 4.5.12
FIGURE 4.5-2, EQUESTRIAN LANDMARK
~~i.ft]® CITY OF NORCO
2050 GENERAL PLAN
Lake -
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C9

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• Interconnected Public Realm and Trail Network. Introduce an interconnected street, trail, and open space network, including filling missing gaps in Norco’s trail network.
• Required Community Benefits. Fund, in-part or in-whole, high-priority community benefits, including, but not limited to:
o The preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of existing buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, especially the historic Norconian Hotel, and any eligible and unlisted buildings to the National Register of Historic Places.
o The provision of new open space, recreational, agricultural, and/or equestrian amenities that provide significant value to the community.

LUCC-8.2 Lake Norconian Conservation and Stewardship. Support the long-term conservation, stewardship, and enhancement of Lake Norconian through collaborative planning that preserves its scenic, natural, and historic character, protects its visual quality and ecological functions, and encourages restoration activities that reinforce the lake’s role as a prominent community landmark and defining element of Norco’s identity and sense of place.

GOAL LUCC-9: WYLE LABORATORIES SITE. The City will facilitate and encourage the development and conservation of the Wyle Laboratories Site in a way that protects open space and highlights Norco’s unique rural, equestrian-oriented atmosphere.

POLICIES
LUCC-9.1 Wyle Laboratories Site Specific Plan. Guide new development on the Wyle Laboratories Site with a Specific Plan that establishes development standards requiring the following placemaking strategies:
• Land Use. Introduce new uses that are well-suited to the natural open space and topography of the site.
• Limited Development. Limit development to the flatter portions of the site with less topography and natural features, and maintain open space buffers between any new development and adjacent neighborhoods. • Preservation and Restoration of Existing Landforms and Natural Habitat.

Preserve and restore valuable site features, including the existing creek and hillside areas as natural open space, ceding a minimum of 150 acres to an open space and habitat conservancy.
• Expansion of Norco Hills Trail Network. Create new trails along the creek connecting to the Norco Hills trail network.

GOAL LUCC-10: BEACON HILL. The City will preserve the historical and visual significance of Beacon Hill while guiding compatible land use, open space, and trail planning that balances development opportunities with the protection of the area’s natural character. @~[fflm CITY OF NORCO
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POLICIES
LUCC-10.1 Beacon Hill Land Use Planning. Ensure that future development and land use planning within the Beacon Hill area directs open space preservation and equestrian and recreational trail improvements to areas designated for open space, while concentrating residential and commercial development within areas designated for residential and commercial uses, in a manner that protects and recognizes the historical and visual significance of Beacon Hill in the city’s landscape.

GOAL OSC-6: PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF SIGNIFICANT HISTORIC RESOURCES. The City will identify and incentivize the preservation and restoration of significant historic resources that embody Norco’s heritage, character, and lifestyle.

POLICIES
OSC-6.1 Historic Resource Inventory. Update the 2012 inventory of potentially significant historic buildings, in accordance with criteria established by the National Register of Historic Places and the California Office of Historic Preservation.

OSC-6.2 Restoration and Adaptive Reuse. Pursue the restoration and adaptive reuse of older, character-defining buildings, such as the Norconian Hotel, the North Corona Land Company and Orange Heights Water Company building in the North Hamner Gateway, and the Community Center, as part of placemaking efforts. Where preservation in place is not feasible, incorporate appropriate mitigation measures through the environmental review process.

OSC-6.3 Compatible Land Use Around Historic Resources. Ensure that land use designations and development regulations surrounding historic structures support their continued preservation and use, and do not diminish the economic viability of maintaining such resources.

OSC-6.4 Compatible Development Adjacent to Historic Structures. Ensure that new development in proximity to historic structures does not impede the integrity of the historical structure, either through inappropriate design, building mass, landscaping mass, setbacks, etc.

OSC-6.5 Historic Structure Demolition Review. Prohibit the demolition of any historical structure until an assessment of the cost of rehabilitation of the existing structure has been submitted to the City.

OSC-6.6 Alternatives to Demolition. Encourage the adaptive reuse of historic buildings as an alternative to demolition and replacement.

OSC-6.7 Sensitive Rehabilitation of Historic Structures. Maintain the integrity of historic structures by avoiding inappropriate additions or alterations and ensuring that their preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction complies with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. @~[fflm CITY OF NORCO
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OSC-6.8 Local Historic Building Recognition Program. Establish and maintain a Local Historic Building Recognition Program to identify, acknowledge, and promote buildings and structures that contribute to Norco’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage.

OSC-6.9 Lake Norconian Conservation and Stewardship. Support the long-term conservation, stewardship, and enhancement of Lake Norconian through collaborative planning that preserves its scenic, natural, and historic character, protects its visual quality and ecological functions, and encourages restoration activities that reinforce the lake’s role as a prominent community landmark and defining element of Norco’s identity and sense of place.

GOAL OSC-7: PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION OF NATURAL LANDSCAPES. The City will promote the preservation and restoration of natural landscapes that embody the region’s prehistory and reflect Norco’s heritage.

OSC-7.1 Habitat Restoration. Support the removal of invasive plant species and the restoration of natural habitats along the Santa Ana River through coordination with partner agencies and community stewardship efforts, while promoting habitat restoration practices that improve ecosystem health, enhance water quality, reduce fire risk, and improve trail accessibility by clearing overgrown vegetation.

OSC-7.2 Signage and Monumentation. Consider signage and monumentation that highlight the role the Santa Ana River has played in the development of Norco and adjacent communities.

OSC-7.3 New Development. Require new development to incorporate native and naturalized landscape that maintains Norco’s rural atmosphere.

Although growth accommodated by the 2050 GPU may result in demolition and renovation activities that could damage and alter existing or potential historical resources, all future development would also be required to comply with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations concerning the preservation of prehistoric or historical resources, including the National Historic Preservation Act, and California Public Resources Code. Section 5097.5 of the California Public Resources Code prohibits the removal, destruction, or defacement of historic or prehistoric ruins, burial grounds, and archaeological sites on public lands without express permission by the jurisdiction. The National Historic Preservation Act also requires that historical resources eligible for the NRHP are managed and maintained in a way that considers the preservation of their historic, archaeological, architectural, and cultural values.

Conformance with specific 2050 GPU policies would ensure that new development would preserve and take into consideration historical resources, such as the City’s Equestrian Historic District and Equestrian Landmark, and Beacon Hill, when proposed. Therefore, potential impacts to historical resources associated with growth accommodated by the 2050 GPU would be less than significant.
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Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts are less than significant.

Threshold b. Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15064.5?
Less than Significant Impact. Effects on archaeological resources can only be determined once a specific project has been proposed because the effects are highly dependent on both the individual project site conditions and the characteristics of the proposed ground-disturbing activity. Ground-disturbing activities associated with development facilitated by the 2050 GPU, particularly in areas that have not previously been developed with urban uses, in areas with known resources and/or identified as archaeologically sensitive, or when excavation depths exceed those previously attained, have the potential to damage or destroy known and unknown historic or prehistoric archaeological resources that may be present on or below the ground surface.

According to the CHRIS Records Search conducted for the General Plan Area, Appendix 4.5, 83 previously documented cultural resource studies were identified within the General Plan Area, of which 38 date to the prehistoric period and include 35 sites and three (3) isolated finds.

Implementation of the 2050 GPU does not include project-specific plans and does not identify the precise location, extent, or design of future development that could affect specific archaeological resources. Future development implemented under the 2050 GPU would be subject to project-level environmental review, which could include evaluation of archaeological sensitivity, record searches, and where appropriate, field surveys and subsurface investigations consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. Project-level review would also require compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local regulations governing inadvertent discovery provisions. Where resources are identified, appropriate mitigation measures, such as construction monitoring and preservation in place where feasible, would be implemented to ensure that potential impacts to archaeological resources are less than significant.

In addition, the following Open Space and Conservation Element goal and policies of the 2050 GPU would ensure that impacts to archaeological resources are taken into consideration and reduced or minimized in conjunction with future development:

GOAL OSC-8: SENSITIVE TREATMENT OF TRIBAL RESOURCES. The City will ensure the sensitive treatment of tribal resources consistent with the values and practices of local tribal groups @~[fflm CITY OF NORCO
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POLICIES
OSC-8.1 Land Development. In coordination with local tribal groups, establish standard conditions for the treatment of tribal resources discovered during land development.

OSC-8.2 Recognition of Tribal Heritage. Pursue opportunities to recognize and honor the area’s tribal history and heritage in conjunction with community events, capital improvement projects, library programs, and public art initiatives.

Accordingly, while future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU could result in impacts to archaeological resources, such impacts would be addressed through project-level environmental review, regulatory compliance, and implementation of the Goals and Policies of the 2050 GPU. Therefore, impacts to archaeological resources would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts are less than significant.

Threshold c. Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of dedicated cemeteries?
Less than Significant Impact. There are several cemeteries in the City of Norco, including Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, Norco Family Funeral Home, and Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory. Human burials outside of formal cemeteries often occur in prehistoric archaeological contexts, and the potential exists for these resources to be present in areas where development has not yet occurred. Excavation during construction activities in the city would have the potential to encounter these resources, including Native American burials.

Human burials, in addition to being potential archaeological resources, are subject to specific regulatory requirements, including PRC Section 5097. The California Health and Safety Code (Sections 7050.5, 7051, and 7054) also has specific provisions for the protection of human burial remains. California Health and Safety Code Section 7050.5 requires that in the event of discovery or recognition of any human remains, there shall be no further excavation until the coroner has made recommendations concerning the treatment and disposition of the human remains to the person responsible. If the coroner determines that the remains are not subject to his or her authority and has reason to believe that they are those of Native American, he or she shall contact the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) within 24 hours. Development under the 2050 GPU would comply with the provisions of State law regarding discovery of human remains, and impacts relating to the disturbance of human remains would be less than significant.
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Existing statutes and regulations also address the illegality of interfering with human burial remains and protects them from disturbance, vandalism, or destruction. Established procedures would be implemented if Native American human remains are discovered. PRC Section 5097.98 also addresses the disposition of Native American burials, protects such remains, and establishes the NAHC to resolve any related disputes.

All development facilitated by the 2050 GPU would be required to adhere to existing regulations regarding the treatment of human remains. Thus, impacts to human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries, would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation measures are required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts are less than significant.
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4.6 Energy
This section analyzes impacts on energy resources due to construction and operation of the Project. Section 15126.29(b) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines states that a project’s energy use shall be analyzed to determine the potential energy impacts of proposed projects, with particular emphasis on avoiding or reducing inefficient, wasteful, and unnecessary consumption of energy, as well as being compliant with building codes and renewable energy features. Section VI, Energy, of the Appendix G Checklist of the CEQA Guidelines includes questions to assist lead agencies when assessing a project’s potential energy impacts.

Additionally, CEQA Guidelines Appendix F provides guidance on information to use when evaluating a project’s energy use.
a. Environmental Setting

1. Regulatory Framework
There are several plans, regulations, and programs that include policies, requirements, and guidelines regarding energy at the Federal, State, regional, and City of Norco levels that apply to the Project. As described below, these plans, guidelines, and laws include the following:
• Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
• Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
• Federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act
• Phase 1 and 2 Heavy-Duty Vehicle GHG Standards
• Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
• National Energy Policy Act of 1992
• Energy Policy Act of 2005
• Clean Air Act
• Clean Cities Program
• Senate Bill 1389
• Renewables Portfolio Standards
• California Building Standards
− California Building Energy Efficiency Standards
− California Green Building Standards
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• California Assembly Bill 1493
• California Assembly Bill 3265
• California Air Resources Board
− Scoping Plan
− Advanced Clean Car Program
− Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit Diesel-Fueled Commercial Motor Vehicle Idling − In-Use Off-Road Diesel Fueled Fleets Regulation
• Senate Bill 375
• Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy Federal
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007
The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) facilitates the reduction of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by requiring the following:
• Increasing the supply of alternative fuel sources by setting mandatory Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) that require fuel producers to use at least 36 billion gallons of biofuel in 2022;
• Prescribing or revising standards affecting regional efficiency for heating and cooling products, procedures for new or amended standards, energy conservation, energy efficiency labeling for consumer electronic products, residential boiler efficiency, electric motor efficiency, and home appliances;
• Requiring approximately 25 percent greater efficiency for light bulbs by phasing out incandescent light bulbs between 2012 and 2014;
• Requiring approximately 200 percent greater efficiency for light bulbs, or similar energy savings, by 2020; and
• Establishing miles per gallon (mpg) targets for cars and light trucks and directing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish a fuel economy program for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and create a separate fuel economy standard for trucks, as superseded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the NHTSA actions described below.
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Additional provisions of EISA address energy savings in government and public institutions, promote research for alternative energy, additional research in carbon capture, international energy programs, and the creation of “green jobs.”1
Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards
Established by the U.S. Congress in 1975, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards (49 CFR Parts 531 and 533) reduce energy consumption by increasing the fuel economy of cars and light trucks. The NHTSA and USEPA jointly administer the CAFE standards. The U.S. Congress has specified that CAFE standards must be set at the “maximum feasible level” with consideration given for (1) technological feasibility, (2) economic practicality, (3) effect of other standards on fuel economy, and (4) need for the nation to conserve energy. When these standards are raised, automakers respond by creating a more fuel-efficient fleet. In 2012, the NHTSA established final passenger car and light truck CAFE standards for model years 2017 through 2021, which the agency projects will require in model year 2021, on average, a combined fleet-wide fuel economy of 40.3 to 41.0 mpg. Fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks have been jointly developed by the USEPA and the NHTSA. The Phase 1 heavy-duty truck standards apply to combination tractors, heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans, and vocational vehicles for model years 2014 through 2018, and result in a reduction in fuel consumption from 6 to 23 percent over the 2010 baseline, depending on the vehicle type.2 The USEPA and NHTSA have also adopted the Phase 2 heavy-duty truck standards, which cover model years 2021 through 2027 and require the phase-in of a 5- to 25-percent reduction in fuel consumption over the 2017 baseline depending on the compliance year and vehicle type.3 Federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) is a United States Act of Congress that responded to the 1973 oil crisis by creating a comprehensive approach to Federal energy policy.

The primary goals of EPCA are to increase energy production and supply, reduce energy demand, provide energy efficiency, and give the executive branch additional powers to respond to disruptions in energy supply. Most notably, EPCA established the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products, and CAFE regulations. 1 A “green job,” as defined by the United States Department of Labor, is a job in business that produces goods or provides services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Green Jobs Overview.” Accessed April 25, 2026. https://www.bls.gov/green/overview.htm.
2 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Fact Sheet: EPA and NHTSA Adopt First-Ever Program to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Fuel Efficiency of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles. 2011. 3 USEPA. Federal Register/Vol. 81, No. 206/Tuesday, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles—Phase 2. 2018. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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Phase 1 and Phase 2 Heavy-Duty Vehicle GHG Standards
Fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks have been jointly developed by the USEPA and the NHTSA. The Phase 1 heavy-duty truck standards apply to combination tractors, heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans, and vocational vehicles for model years 2014 through 2018, and result in a reduction in fuel consumption from 6 to 23 percent over the 2010 baseline, depending on the vehicle type. The USEPA and the NHTSA have also adopted the Phase 2 heavyduty truck standards, which cover model years 2021 through 2027 and require the phase-in of a 5- to 25-percent reduction in fuel consumption over the 2017 baseline depending on the compliance year and vehicle type.

Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), Public Law 95-617 PURPA sought to promote conservation of electric energy. Additionally, PURPA created a new class of nonutility generators (small power producers) from which, along with qualified cogenerators, utilities are required to buy power.

PURPA was in part intended to augment electric utility generation with more efficiently produced electricity and to provide equitable rates to electric consumers. Utility companies are required to buy all electricity from qualifying facilities (Qfs) at avoided cost (i.e., the incremental savings associated with not having to produce additional units of electricity). PURPA expanded participation of nonutility generators in the electricity market and demonstrated that electricity from nonutility generators could successfully be integrated with a utility’s own supply. In addition, PURPA requires utilities to buy whatever power is produced by Qfs (usually cogeneration or renewable energy). The Fuel Use Act (FUA) of 1978 (repealed in 1987) also helped Qfs become established. Under FUA, utilities were not allowed to use natural gas to fuel new generating technologies, but Qfs, by definition not utilities, were able to take advantage of abundant natural gas and abundant new technologies (such as combined-cycle). The technologies lowered the financial threshold for entrance into the electricity generation business as well as shortened the lead time for constructing new plants.

National Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT92)
EPACT92 calls for programs that promote efficiency and the use of alternative fuels. EPACT92 requires certain Federal, State, and local government and private fleets to purchase a percentage of light duty alternative fuel vehicles (AFV) capable of running on alternative fuels each year. In addition, EPACT92 has financial incentives. Federal tax deductions are allowed for businesses and individuals to cover the incremental cost of AFVs. EPACT92 also requires states to consider a variety of incentive programs to help promote AFVs.

Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 provides renewed and expanded tax credits for electricity generated by qualified energy sources, such as landfill gas; provides bond financing, tax incentives, grants, and loan guarantees for clean renewable energy and rural community electrification; and establishes a Federal purchase requirement for renewable energy. fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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Clean Air Act
Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 211(o), as amended by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, requires the Administrator of the USEPA to annually determine a renewable fuel standard (RFS), which is applicable to refineries, importers, and certain blenders of gasoline, and to publish the standard in the Federal Register by November 30 each year. On the basis of this standard, each obligated party determines the volume of renewable fuel that it must ensure is consumed as motor vehicle fuel. This standard is calculated as a percentage, by dividing the amount of renewable fuel that the Energy Policy Act requires to be blended into gasoline for a given year by the amount of gasoline expected to be used during that year, including certain adjustments specified by the CAA.

Clean Cities Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Clean Cities Program promotes voluntary, locally based government/industry partnerships for the purpose of expanding the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel by accelerating the deployment of AFVs and building local AFV refueling infrastructure. The mission of the Clean Cities Program is to advance the nation’s economic, environmental and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption. The Clean Cities Program carries out this mission through a network of more than 80 volunteer coalitions, which develop public/private partnerships to promote alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel blends, fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, and idle reduction.

State
Senate Bill 1389
Senate Bill (SB) 1389 (Public Resources Code [PRC] Sections 25300–25323) requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to prepare a biennial integrated energy policy report that assesses major energy trends and issues facing the State’s electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel sectors and provides policy recommendations to conserve resources; protect the environment; ensure reliable, secure, and diverse energy supplies; enhance the State’s economy; and protect public health and safety.4 The 2023 Integrated Energy Policy Report provides the results of the CEC’s assessments related to energy sector trends, building decarbonization and energy efficiency, zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), energy equity, climate change adaptation, electricity reliability in Southern California, natural gas assessment, and electricity, natural gas, and transportation energy demand forecasts.

Renewables Portfolio Standard
First established in 2002 under SB 1078, California’s Renewables Portfolio Standards (RPS) requires retail sellers of electric services to increase procurement from eligible renewable 4 Public Resource Code (PRC) Section 25301[a].
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energy resources to 33 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2030.5 SB 350, signed on October 7, 2015, is the Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015. The objectives of SB 350 are (1) to increase the procurement of electricity from renewable sources from 33 percent to 50 percent and (2) to double the energy savings in electricity and natural gas final end uses of retail customers through energy efficiency and conservation. On September 10, 2018, former Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 100, which further increased California’s RPS and requires retail sellers and local publicly-owned electric utilities to procure eligible renewable electricity for 44 percent of retail sales by December 31, 2024; 52 percent by December 31, 2027; and 60 percent by December 31, 2030, and that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) should plan for 100- percent eligible renewable energy resources and zero-carbon resources by December 31, 2045.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the CEC jointly implement the RPS program. The CPUC’s responsibilities include (1) determining annual procurement targets and enforcing compliance, (2) reviewing and approving each investor-owned utility’s renewable energy procurement plan, (3) reviewing contracts for RPS-eligible energy, and (4) establishing the standard terms and conditions used in contracts for eligible renewable energy.6 In March 2021, the CEC, CPUC, and CARB issued an SB 100 Joint Agency Report that assesses barriers and opportunities to implementing the 100-percent clean electricity policy.7 The report’s initial findings suggest that the goals of SB 100 are achievable, though opportunities remain to reduce overall system costs; however, the report also notes that the findings are intended to inform State planning and are not intended as a comprehensive or prescriptive roadmap to 2045, and future work is needed on critical topics, such as system reliability and land use, and further addresses energy equity and workforce needs.8 Refer to Section 4.8, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, of this Draft Program EIR (PEIR) for additional details regarding this regulation.

California Building Standards
California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6) The California Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 24, Part 6) were adopted to ensure that building construction and system design and installation achieve energy efficiency and preserve outdoor and indoor environmental quality. The current California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24 standards) are the 2025 Title 24 standards, which became effective on January 1, 2026.

The 2025 Title 24 standards continue to improve upon the preceding versions of the Title 24 5 California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS). 2018. 6 CPUC. “Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program.” Accessed May 2026. https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/rps. 7 California Energy Commission (CEC), CPUC, and California Air Resources Board (CARB). 2021 SB 100 Joint Agency Report Achieving 100 Percent Clean Electricity in California: An Initial Assessment, CEC-200-2021-001. March 2021. 8 CEC, CPUC, and CARB. 2021 SB 100 Joint Agency Report Achieving 100 Percent Clean Electricity in California: An Initial Assessment, CEC-200-2021-001.
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standards for new construction of, and additions and alterations to, residential and nonresidential buildings.9 The 2025 Title 24 Standards builds upon the 2022 code by substantially expanding the use of electric heat pumps for both space and water heating, strengthening ventilation standards, encouraging electric-ready buildings, and updating solar and battery storage regulations. These changes aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and improve indoor air quality.

California Green Building Standards Code (Title 24, Part 11) The California Green Building Standards Code (CCR, Title 24, Part 11) are commonly referred to as the CALGreen Code. The 2025 CALGreen Code improves upon the preceding versions of the CALGreen Code and includes voluntary energy efficiency requirements for newly constructed buildings, and additions and alterations to existing buildings.10 The 2025 CALGreen Code went into effect on January 1, 2026.

California Assembly Bill 1493 (AB 1493, Pavley)
In response to the transportation sector accounting for more than half of California’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, Assembly Bill (AB) 1493 (commonly referred to as CARB’s Pavley regulations), enacted on July 22, 2002, requires CARB to set GHG emission standards for new passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, and other vehicles manufactured in and after 2009 whose primary use is non-commercial personal transportation. Phase I of the legislation established standards for model years 2009–2016 and Phase II established standards for model years 2017– 2025.11,12 In March 2020, the NHTSA and USEPA issued the SAFE Vehicles Rule, which amends existing CAFE standards and tailpipe CO2 emissions standards for passenger cars and light trucks and establishes new standards covering model years 2021 through 2026. Refer to Section

4.8, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, of this Draft PEIR for additional details regarding this regulation.

California Air Resources Board
Scoping Plan
AB 32 required CARB to prepare a Climate Change Scoping Plan for achieving the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective GHG emission reduction by 2020 (Health and Safety Code [HSC] Section 38561 (h)). The 2008 Climate Change Scoping Plan proposed a “comprehensive set of actions designed to reduce overall carbon GHG emissions in California, improve our environment, reduce our dependence on oil, diversify our energy sources, save 9 CEC. Building Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Non-Residential Buildings. 2025. Accessed May 2026. https://www.energy.ca.gov/publications/2025/2025-building-energy-efficiency-standards-residential-andnonresidential. 10 CEC. “2025 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen).” Accessed May 2026. https://www.energy.ca.gov/proceeding/2025-california-green-building-standards-code-calgreen. 11 CARB. Clean Car Standards—Pavley, Assembly Bill 1493. 12 USEPA. EPA and NHTSA Set Standards to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Improve Fuel Economy for Model Years 2017–2025 Cars and Light Trucks. 2012.
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energy, create new jobs, and enhance public health.”13 The 2008 Climate Change Scoping Plan had a range of GHG reduction actions, which included direct regulations, alternative compliance mechanisms, monetary and non-monetary incentives, voluntary actions, market-based mechanisms, such as a Cap-and-Trade Program, and an AB 32 implementation fee to fund the program.

The 2008 Climate Change Scoping Plan called for a “coordinated set of solutions” to address all major categories of GHG emissions. Transportation emissions were addressed through a combination of higher standards for vehicle fuel economy, implementation of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), and greater consideration to reducing trip length and generation through land use planning and transit-oriented development. Buildings, land use, and industrial operations were encouraged and, sometimes, required to use energy more efficiently. Utility energy providers were required to include more renewable energy sources through implementation of the RPS.14 Additionally, the 2008 Climate Change Scoping Plan emphasized opportunities for households and businesses to save energy and money through increasing energy efficiency. It indicates that substantial savings of electricity and natural gas will be accomplished through “improving energy efficiency by 25 percent.” The 2008 Climate Change Scoping Plan identified several specific issues relevant to development projects, including:
• The potential of using the green building framework as a mechanism, which could enable GHG emissions reductions in other sectors (i.e., electricity, natural gas), noting that:
• A Green Building strategy will produce greenhouse gas savings through buildings that exceed minimum energy efficiency standards, decrease consumption of potable water, reduce solid waste during construction and operation, and incorporate sustainable materials. Combined, these measures can also contribute to healthy indoor air quality, protect human health, and minimize impacts to the environment. • The importance of supporting the Department of Water Resources’ work to implement the Governor’s objective to reduce per-capita water use by 20 percent by 2020. Specific measures to achieve this goal include water use efficiency, water recycling, and reuse of urban runoff. The Climate Change Scoping Plan notes that water use requires significant amounts of energy, including approximately one-fifth of Statewide electricity. • Encouraging local governments to set quantifiable emission reduction targets for their jurisdictions and use their influence and authority to encourage reductions in emissions 13 CARB. Climate Change Scoping Plan. December 2008.
14 For a discussion of the Renewables Portfolio Standard, refer to subsection California Renewables Portfolio Standard.
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caused by energy use, waste and recycling, water and wastewater systems, transportation, and community design.

The latest update is the 2022 Scoping Plan, which is the most comprehensive and far-reaching Scoping Plan developed to date. It identifies a technologically feasible, cost-effective, and equityfocused path to achieve new targets for carbon neutrality by 2045 and to reduce anthropogenic GHG emissions to at least 85 percent below 1990 levels, while also assessing the progress California is making toward reducing its GHG emissions by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, as called for in SB 32 and laid out in the 2017 Scoping Plan.15 Measures to reduce GHG emissions include building decarbonization, energy efficiency improvements and transportation electrification.

The 2022 Scoping Plan Update reflects existing and recent direction in the Governor’s Executive Orders and State statutes, which identify policies, strategies, and regulations in support of and implementation of the Scoping Plan. Among these include Executive Order B-55-18 and AB 1279 (The California Climate Crisis Act), which identify the 2045 carbon neutrality and GHG reduction targets required for the Scoping Plan.

Advanced Clean Cars Program
The Advanced Clean Cars emissions-control program was approved by CARB in 2012 and is closely associated with the Pavley regulations.16 The program requires a greater number of ZEV models for years 2015 through 2025 to control smog, soot, and GHG emissions. This program includes the Low-Emissions Vehicle (LEV) regulations to reduce criteria pollutants and GHG emissions from light- and medium-duty vehicles and the ZEV regulations to require manufacturers to produce an increasing number of pure ZEVs (meaning battery and fuel cell electric vehicles) with the provision to produce plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) between 2018 and 2025. In particular, implementation of the ZEV and PHEV regulations reduce transportation fuel consumption by increasing the number of vehicles that are partially or fully electric-powered.

Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit Diesel-Fueled Commercial Motor Vehicle Idling In 2004, CARB adopted an Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Limit Diesel-Fueled Commercial Motor Vehicle Idling in order to reduce public exposure to diesel particulate matter emissions (Title 13 California Code of Regulations [CCR] Section 2485). The measure applies to diesel-fueled commercial vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings greater than 10,000 pounds that are licensed to operate on highways, regardless of where they are registered. This measure does not allow diesel-fueled commercial vehicles to idle for more than 5 minutes at any given location.

While the goal of this measure is primarily to reduce public health impacts from diesel emissions, 15 CARB. California’s 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan. 2017. 16 CARB. “Advanced Clean Cars Program.” Accessed May 2026. ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/advancedclean-cars-program. fil'~EB]m CITY OF NORCO
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compliance with the regulation also results in energy savings in the form of reduced fuel consumption from unnecessary idling.

In-Use Off-Road Diesel Fueled Fleets Regulation
Because off-road vehicles that are used in construction and other related industries can last 30 years or longer, most of those that are in service today are still part of an older fleet that do not have emission controls. In 2007, CARB approved the “In-Use Off-Road Diesel Fueled Fleets Regulation” to reduce emissions from existing (in-use) off-road diesel vehicles that are used in construction and other industries. This regulation sets an anti-idling limit of 5 minutes for all offroad vehicles 25 horsepower and up. It also establishes emission rates targets for the off-road vehicles that decline over time to accelerate turnover to newer, cleaner engines and require exhaust retrofits to meet these targets. Revised in October 2023, the regulation enforced offroad restrictions on fleets adding vehicles with older tier engines beginning January 1, 2024. By each annual compliance deadline, a fleet must demonstrate that it has either met the fleet average target for that year or has completed the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) requirements. Large fleets have compliance deadlines each year from 2024 through 2028, medium fleets each year from 2026 through 2030, and small fleets each year from 2028 through 2032. While the goal of this regulation is primarily to reduce public health impacts from diesel emissions, compliance with the regulation also results in energy savings in the form of reduced fuel consumption from the use of more fuel-efficient engines.

SB 375 (Sustainable Communities Strategy)
In 2008, SB 375, the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, was adopted to connect the GHG emissions reductions targets established in the 2008 Scoping Plan for the transportation sector to local land use decisions that affect travel behavior. Its intent is to reduce GHG emissions from light-duty trucks and automobiles (excludes emissions associate with goods movement) by aligning regional long-range transportation plans, investments, and housing allocations to local land use planning to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and vehicle trips. Specifically, SB 375 required CARB to establish GHG emissions reduction targets for each of the 18 metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is the MPO for the Southern California region, which includes the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, and Imperial. The 2024–2050 RTP/SCS reflects CARB’s updated SB 375 targets for the SCAG region, requiring a 19-percent decrease in VMT by 2035.

CEQA Statute and Guidelines
On September 11, 2024, the California State Legislature adopted AB 3265, codified in Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 21168.6.6, which “establish[es] streamlined procedures for the administrative and judicial review of the environmental review and approvals granted for an environmental leadership media campus project.” As specified therein, an environmental leadership media campus project must satisfy a specific list of requirements in order to qualify fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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for the administrative and judicial streamlining provisions set forth in PRC Section 21168.6.6.

Requirements set forth in PRC Sections related to energy include the following:
“(2)(A) The project will obtain certification as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard or better from the United States Green Building Council for all new construction that is eligible for LEED certification. (B) Any new construction or major renovation of existing buildings that is not eligible for LEED certification will achieve comparable standards for energy and water efficiency, including, but not limited to, meeting Tier 1 energy efficiency standards. (3) The project will achieve a reduction in vehicle miles traveled per capita of at least 15 percent compared to existing development consistent with the Office of Planning and Research’s technical advisory on evaluating line 19 transportation impacts in CEQA and at least 50 percent of any greenhouse gas emissions reductions necessary to achieve zero net additional greenhouse gas emissions as required by paragraph (4) will be from onsite and local reduction measures.
(4) The project does not result in any net additional greenhouse gas emissions, including, but not limited to, from employee transportation. A project is deemed to meet the requirements of this paragraph if the project applicant demonstrates to the lead agency that the project applicant has a binding commitment that it will mitigate impacts resulting from the greenhouse gas emissions, if any, in accordance with Section 21183.6.”
Regional
Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) SB 375 requires each MPO to prepare a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) in their regional transportation plan. In general, the SCS outlines a development pattern for the region, which, when integrated with the transportation network and other transportation measures and policies, would reduce VMT from automobiles and light duty trucks and, thereby, reduce GHG emissions from these sources.

On April 4, 2024, SCAG adopted the 2024–2050 RTP/SCS. Similar to the prior 2020–2045 RTP/SCS, the 2024–2050 RTP/SCS is a long-term plan for the Southern California region that details investment in the transportation system and development in communities to meet the existing and future needs of the region through projects, investments, policies, and strategies.

While the 2024–2050 RTP/SCS remains focused on its core responsibilities and on the requirements of comprehensive regional transportation planning integrated with the development of a sustainable communities strategy, it also encompasses a holistic approach to programs and strategies that support success of the RTP/SCS, such as workforce development, broadband, and mobility hubs. The primary goals of the 2024–2050 RTP/SCS include:
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• Mobility: Build and maintain an integrated multimodal transportation network; • Communities: Develop, connect, and sustain livable and thriving communities; • Environment: Create a healthy region for the people of today and tomorrow; and • Economy: Support a sustainable, efficient, and productive regional economic environment that provides opportunities for all people in the region.

The 2024–2050 RTP/SCS was approved by CARB on May 7, 2025.

Local
City of Norco 2050 General Plan
The proposed Norco 2050 General Plan includes several Goals and Policies intended to promote energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, energy independence, reduced reliance on carbon-emitting fuels, and reliable utility infrastructure. Goals OSC-12 through OSC-14 establish a comprehensive framework for energy planning within the city by supporting efficient and resilient energy systems, expansion of renewable energy resources, and implementation of energy conservation measures.

Goal OSC-12, Sufficient and Resilient Energy Supply, seeks to ensure adequate and reliable energy service to accommodate existing and future development. Policies OSC-12.1 through OSC-12.3 promote monitoring of local energy demand, diversification of electricity sources through increased use of renewable energy resources, and coordination with utility providers to maintain and upgrade energy distribution systems.

Goal OSC-13, Energy Independence, promotes local renewable energy generation and enhanced energy efficiency throughout the community. Policies OSC-13.1 through OSC-13.4 encourage installation of solar photovoltaic systems, small-scale wind energy generation systems, battery storage technologies, energy-efficient municipal and private-sector operations, and solarpowered infrastructure. Collectively, these policies are intended to reduce overall energy demand while increasing the use of locally generated renewable energy resources.

Goal OSC-14, Reduced Reliance on Carbon-Emitting Energy Sources, supports building electrification, renewable natural gas production, municipal fleet electrification, and expansion of active transportation facilities. These policies are intended to reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based energy sources and support implementation of State energy and climate goals.

In addition, Infrastructure and Facilities Element Goal IF-4, Energy, and Policies IF-4.1 through IF4.5 focus on coordination with utility providers, installation of underground utility infrastructure, maintenance of electric transmission and distribution systems, and implementation of vegetation management practices to protect public safety and maintain service reliability.

Collectively, these policies are intended to ensure the continued availability, reliability, and safety of energy infrastructure necessary to serve existing and future development within the city. fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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Relevant policies include:

GOAL OSC-12: SUFFICIENT AND RESILIENT ENERGY SUPPLY. The City will ensure efficient and resilient energy supply to meet current needs and accommodate projected growth.

POLICIES
OSC-12.1 Energy Demand. Continue to monitor local electricity and natural gas demand in coordination with the Inland Regional Energy Network (I-REN).

OSC-12.2 Diverse Electricity Portfolio. Advocate for an increasingly diverse electricity portfolio comprised primarily of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind, geothermal, hydro, biomass).

OSC-12.3 System Maintenance and Upgrading. Coordinate with the investor-owned utilities to ensure the adequacy and timely maintenance and upgrading of energy distribution systems.

GOAL OSC-13: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE. The City will achieve greater energy independence through local renewable energy harvesting and enhanced energy efficiency.

POLICIES
OSC-13.1 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Facilities. Encourage new development to meet minimum State requirements for on-site solar photovoltaic facilities.

OSC-13.2 Small-Scale Wind Energy Generation Systems. Allow for small-scale residential wind energy generation systems, subject to siting and design standards that ensure such systems are compatible with the visual character of the surrounding neighborhood.

OSC-13.3 Battery Storage. Encourage homeowners and business owners who install solar PV and/or wind energy generation systems to pair these facilities with battery storage.

OSC-13.4 Energy Efficiency. Promote energy efficiency in both municipal operations and within the community-at-large.

OSC-13.5 Solar-Powered Traffic Control Devices. Continue to install solar-powered traffic control devices, including pedestrian crossing beacons, flashing warning signs, speed feedback signs, school zone flashers, and other transportation-related equipment.

GOAL OSC-14: REDUCED RELIANCE ON CARBON-EMITTING ENERGY SOURCES. In compliance with State requirements, the City will reduce its reliance on non-renewable, carbon-emitting fuels.
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POLICIES
OSC-14.1 Building Electrification. Promote building electrification through costeffective building design and technologies.

OSC-14.2 Renewable Natural Gas. Continue coordinating with the Western Riverside County Regional Wastewater Authority (WRCRWA) to convert biosolids to renewable natural gas for use in electricity generation, vehicle fuel, and industrial energy applications.

OSC-14.3 Zero- and Low-Emission Vehicle Fleet Encourage the transition of the municipal vehicle fleet, including employee commute, carpool, and similar transportation vehicles, to zero-emission and low-emission vehicles. This policy does not apply to construction equipment, emergency response vehicles, or other specialized vehicles where electrification and zeroemission options are not currently feasible or would compromise operational needs..

OSC-14.4 Active Transportation Facilities. Facilitate the expansion of facilities that support walking, cycling, horseback riding, and other non-motorized forms of transportation, including pedestrian pathways, bicycle facilities, equestrian trails, and other connections that provide alternatives to automobile travel.

GOAL IF-4: ENERGY. The City will work with utility providers to provide efficient electricity and natural gas utilities that serve the needs of existing and future residents and businesses.

POLICIES
IF-4.1 Agency Coordination. Work with Southern California Edison and the Southern California Gas Company to ensure that cost-effective utilities are provided, maintained, and operated in a safe manner.

IF-4.2 Utility Undergrounding. Require all new developments to install utilities underground to enhance public safety, improve visual character, and reduce service disruptions.

IF-4.3 New Underground Utilities. Work with Southern California Edison to install new subsurface distribution lines.

IF-4.4 Transmission Line Landscape Maintenance. Enforce Federal tree trimming and vegetation management guidelines around electric transmission and communication lines to prevent or reduce the potential for felled branches or trees to cause power outages and disrupted communications.

IF-4.5. Distribution Line Landscape Maintenance. Support and facilitate regular tree trimming and vegetation management around electric distribution lines to reduce wildfire risk, protect public safety, and maintain reliable electric service, consistent with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) safety fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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regulations, State wildfire mitigation requirements, and City tree-protection standards.
b. Methodology
The energy analysis evaluates whether implementation of the proposed 2050 GPU would result in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources or would conflict with a State or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. The analysis was prepared in accordance with Appendix F of the CEQA Guidelines, which provides guidance for evaluating a project's potential energy impacts.

The evaluation is programmatic in nature and considers the growth, land use, circulation, infrastructure, and public service improvements anticipated under the 2050 GPU through the year 2050. The analysis relies on projected population, housing, and employment growth identified in the 2050 GPU, as well as the proposed land use designations, circulation network improvements, and utility infrastructure policies.

The analysis considers energy consumption associated with both construction and operation of future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU. Construction-related energy use includes fuel consumption associated with heavy equipment, material transport, and worker vehicle trips.

Operational energy use includes transportation fuel consumption, electricity demand, natural gas consumption, water conveyance, wastewater treatment, and energy use associated with residential, commercial, industrial, public facility, and infrastructure development.

The analysis also evaluates consistency with applicable State and regional energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, including the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24), California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), California Renewables Portfolio Standard, and other applicable State regulations intended to reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency. In addition, the analysis considers relevant policies contained within both the adopted General Plan and the proposed 2050 GPU that promote energy conservation, efficient infrastructure planning, renewable energy development, and reliable utility service.

Because the 2050 GPU is a long-range planning document that does not approve specific development projects, the analysis evaluates energy impacts at a programmatic level. Future discretionary development projects facilitated by the 2050 GPU would be subject to projectspecific review, as appropriate, to evaluate energy consumption and compliance with applicable energy efficiency requirements at the time of project implementation. c. Impact Analysis

1. Thresholds of Significance
Based on Appendix G of the CEQA Guidelines, impacts related to energy would be significant if the 2050 GPU would:
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a) Result in a potentially significant environmental impact due to waste, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation. b) Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency.

2. Project Impacts
Threshold a. Result in a potentially significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources, during project construction or operation?
Less than Significant. Implementation of the proposed 2050 GPU would accommodate future residential, commercial, industrial, public facility, and circulation-related development through year 2050. Construction of future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU would require consumption of gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity, and other energy resources associated with operation of construction equipment, material transport, worker vehicle trips, and constructionrelated activities. Operational energy consumption would primarily consist of transportation fuel use, electricity demand, natural gas consumption, water conveyance, wastewater treatment, and energy use associated with residential, commercial, industrial, and public facilities.

The 2050 GPU would accommodate moderate growth within the city through year 2050, including an increase of approximately 3,106 residents, 1,110 households, and 1,794 jobs compared to existing year 2026 conditions. As described in Section 2, Project Description, future growth would occur within the city's existing boundaries and would be concentrated within established neighborhoods, commercial corridors, employment districts, and identified focus areas. The 2050 GPU does not propose expansion of the City's planning area or extension of substantial utility infrastructure into undeveloped areas. This growth pattern promotes efficient use of existing infrastructure and public services while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption associated with dispersed development patterns.

The 2050 GPU also promotes multimodal circulation improvements, expanded pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian connectivity, and land use patterns that support shorter trip lengths and reduced dependence on vehicle travel for local trips. These strategies are intended to reduce transportation-related energy consumption and improve overall transportation efficiency. By focusing future growth within existing developed areas and promoting alternative modes of transportation, the 2050 GPU would support more efficient use of transportation energy resources throughout the city.

The 2050 GPU includes several Goals and Policies intended to improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy generation, and reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Goal OSC-12 promotes a sufficient and resilient energy supply through monitoring of local energy demand, diversification of electricity sources, and coordination with utility providers to ensure reliable and efficient energy distribution systems. Goal OSC-13 promotes energy independence through renewable energy generation, battery storage, solar-powered infrastructure, and fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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community-wide energy efficiency measures. Goal OSC-14 supports building electrification, renewable natural gas production, vehicle fleet electrification, and expansion of active transportation facilities to reduce reliance on carbon-emitting fuels. In addition, Policies IF-4.1 through IPS-4.5 support efficient utility planning, undergrounding of utility infrastructure, and maintenance of energy distribution systems to ensure reliable service to existing and future development.

The 2050 GPU further supports reductions in energy demand from conventional fossil fuel sources through policies promoting solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage technologies, building electrification, renewable natural gas production, and vehicle fleet electrification.

Collectively, these measures support ongoing State efforts to increase energy efficiency, expand renewable energy generation, and reduce dependence on carbon-emitting fuels.

Future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU would also be required to comply with applicable State energy efficiency requirements, including Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards and the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen). These regulations establish mandatory energy conservation measures for new development and are periodically updated to reflect advancements in energy-efficient building technologies and construction practices. Furthermore, future development projects would continue to be evaluated during project-specific review to ensure adequate utility infrastructure and efficient use of energy resources.

Although implementation of the 2050 GPU would increase overall energy demand as a result of planned growth within the city, the increase would be consistent with projected population, housing, and employment growth and would occur within a framework of energy-efficient land use planning, renewable energy development, utility infrastructure planning, building electrification, active transportation improvements, and mandatory State energy efficiency requirements. Accordingly, implementation of the 2050 GPU would not result in wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources during construction or operation.

Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.

Mitigation Measures
No mitigation is required.

Significance After Mitigation
Impacts would remain less than significant.

Threshold b. Conflict with or obstruct a state or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency?
Less than Significant. The proposed 2050 GPU would not conflict with or obstruct a State or local plan for renewable energy or energy efficiency. Future development facilitated by the 2050 GPU would continue to be subject to applicable State regulations intended to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and increase reliance on renewable energy sources. fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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These regulations include the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24), California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS), State building electrification initiatives, and other State programs intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy generation.

The 2050 GPU incorporates several Goals and Policies that are consistent with these State objectives. Goal OSC-12 promotes a sufficient and resilient energy supply through monitoring of local energy demand, diversification of electricity sources, and coordination with utility providers to ensure reliable and efficient energy infrastructure. Policy OSC-12.2 specifically advocates for an increasingly diverse electricity portfolio comprised primarily of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and biomass energy resources. These policies support ongoing State efforts to increase renewable energy generation and improve grid reliability.

Goal OSC-13 promotes greater energy independence through local renewable energy generation and enhanced energy efficiency. Consistent with State renewable energy objectives, Policies OSC-13.1 and OSC-13.2 encourage installation of solar photovoltaic systems, small-scale wind energy systems, and battery storage technologies. Policy OSC-13.3 promotes energy efficiency in municipal operations and throughout the community, while Policy OSC-13.4 supports installation of solar-powered traffic control devices. Collectively, these policies encourage both reduced energy consumption and increased use of renewable energy resources within the city.

The 2050 GPU also includes policies intended to reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources. Goal OSC-14 supports building electrification, renewable natural gas production, vehicle fleet electrification, and expansion of active transportation facilities. These policies are consistent with State efforts to reduce dependence on carbon-emitting fuels and transition toward cleaner energy sources. In addition, Infrastructure and Facilities Element Policies IF-4.1 through IF-4.5 promote reliable and efficient utility infrastructure capable of supporting existing and future energy needs while facilitating integration of renewable energy resources into the local energy system.

The 2050 GPU's energy framework is also generally consistent with the objectives of the adopted General Plan, which promotes energy conservation, renewable energy development, energyefficient building design, alternative transportation modes, and continued evaluation of emerging energy technologies. The proposed 2050 GPU expands upon these objectives by incorporating policies related to building electrification, battery storage, renewable natural gas production, and energy resilience, thereby strengthening the City's commitment to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The 2050 GPU would accommodate future growth within the city's existing boundaries while promoting renewable energy development, energy efficiency, electrification, active transportation, and efficient utility planning. As a result, implementation of the 2050 GPU would fil'~li]m CITY or NORCO
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