The proposed Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project would involve the phased construction of a multi-use trail in northwestern Monterey County, generally encircling the cities of Seaside and Marina and the California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) campus. The proposed FORTAG alignment includes approximately 28 miles of new paved trail, primarily on the inland side of Highway 1. The Trail would accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists of all abilities. Within portions of some segments, the proposed alignment would include an adjacent four- to eight-foot side path separated from the main path to accommodate equestrian use. Dogs would be allowed on-leash throughout the system. The estimated number of Trail users would be between 1,000 and 3,000 daily, with the highest usage occurring on the CSUMB campus and near the existing Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail. Most of the Trail would be a 12-foot-wide paved path, with a two-foot-wide unpaved shoulder on both sides, for a total width of 16 feet. The FORTAG corridor is organized into seven segments: Northern Marina, Northern Loop, CSUMB Loop North, CSUMB Loop South, National Monument Loop, Canyon Del Rey/SR 218, and Ryan Ranch.
The project would result in significant but mitigatable impacts for the following California Environmental Quality Act resource topics: aesthetics, agricultural and forestry resources, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials, land use and planning, noise, public safety and services, tribal cultural resources, and wildfire. The Environmental Impact Report did not identify any significant and unavoidable project impacts.
Staff is requesting that the Board conduct a public hearing to accept public comments on the environmental impacts outlined in the draft report. Comments will be considered for inclusion in the final environmental document.
In addition to public testimony provided at the hearing, TAMC will be accepting comments in writing via email or letter until January 3, 2020. TAMC will also be hosting two public meetings on the draft environmental report where comments can be submitted in person. These meeting will take place on:
TAMC staff will also be presenting the Draft Environmental Impact Report and collecting public input at the following City Council and Agency meetings:
Electronic copies of the Draft Environmental Impact Report and Appendices are available for viewing and download at the TAMC website:
https://www.tamcmonterey.org/measure-x/programs-projects/fort-ord-regional-trail-greenway/
Hardcopies of the Draft Environmental Impact Report are available for viewing at the following locations:
- TAMC Offices (55-B Plaza Circle, Salinas California 93901)
- Marina Branch Library (190 Seaside Circle, Marina California 93933)
- Seaside Branch Library (550 Harcourt Avenue, Seaside California 93955)