Fairfield Osborn Preserve (FOP)

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADOPT A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA LEARNING CENTER AT FAIRFIELD OSBORN PRESERVE Sonoma State University (SSU) is the lead agency for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Learning Center at Fairfield Osborn Preserve project (proposed project). The proposed project consists of improvements to the existing visitor center and adjacent grounds at the Fairfield Osborn Preserve (Preserve) in Sonoma County. The 450-acre Preserve is managed by the SSU Center for Environmental Inquiry and serves as a teaching, gathering, and outdoor exploration space that is frequented by students, faculty, visitors, and community members including Native American tribes. The proposed improvements include expansion of the existing surface parking, improved emergency vehicle access, fire prevention improvements, accessible pedestrian circulation, construction of an outdoor circular seating area and tiered seating area, and minor interior and exterior renovations to the existing visitor center. The total construction area is less than one acre. The visitor center, currently known as the Marjorie Osborn Education and Research Center, will be renamed the “Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Learning Center at Fairfield Osborn Preserve” upon project completion. The project site is located within the 450-acre Fairfield Osborn Preserve located at Sonoma Mountain, east of Penngrove, within Bennett Valley. The project site is accessed from Lichau Road. Surrounding land uses include open space and low-density rural residential uses. SSU has prepared a draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) to assess the environmental impacts of the proposed project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. Potentially significant environmental impacts related to biological resources, cultural resources, tribal cultural resources, and wildfire were identified. The IS/MND includes mitigation measures that would reduce these impacts to a less-than-significant level. The IS/MND is being circulated for a 30-day public review beginning August 30, 2022, and ending September 28, 2022. A copy of the IS/MND is also available for during review during regular business hours at the following location: Facilities Management Sonoma State University 1801 East Cotati Avenue Rohnert Park, California 94928-3609 The Facilities Management office is located in the Corporation Yard on Laurel Avenue west of Petaluma Hill Road. Interested parties must submit their comments by 5:00 p.m. on September 28, 2022. Comments must be submitted via postal or electronic mail to the following address: Attn: Anne Collins-Doehne Capital Planning, Design, and Construction Office of the Chancellor 401 Golden Shore Long Beach, CA 90802-4210 E-mail to:acollins-doehne@calstate.edu(link sends e-mail) Following the end of the review period and consideration of comments received during public review, the final document will be considered by the Trustees of The California State University for certification prior to potential approval of the project. Micro-Grid Project (Phase 1/Tier 1) Map of Micro GridSonoma State University is delighted to announce our partnership with Sun Power in a Private/Public agreement to complete a campus Micro-Grid project which will consist of a 4.5 megawatt solar array, and 1.5 megawatt battery bank installation at the southern edge of the campus. This project is representative of SSU’s commitment to sustainability and resilience. The new Micro-Grid will generate energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support a "Tier 1" energy model for emergency and resiliency purposes, primarily to support essential emergency needs to our Emergency Operations Center, Central Distribution Utility Plant, Recreation Center, (for shelter in place purposes). This project will not only reduce our carbon footprint, it is estimated that it will save SSU $6.2 million dollars in PG&E utility costs over the next 30-years. Construction will begin in 2023 and includes carport solar array canopy structures in parking lots: E, F, J, R6, and R7, and a battery bank in parking lot F. This vital energy generating project will result in energy cost savings and position the university to be able to respond to the needs of the campus and our neighboring Sonoma County community during emergency events such as power outages and wildfires. Below is an illustration of Micro-Grid levels, and a long term plan for a full Micro-Grid integration:

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