Stop Syar Expansion v. County of Napa

The California Court of Appeal affirmed the denial of a challenge to the California Environmental Quality Act review for expansion of an aggregate operation in Napa County. The appellate court reviewed five impact areas raised by the petitioner on appeal, including the claim that the environmental impact report (EIR) insufficiently addressed and mitigated greenhouse gas emission impacts caused by loss of oak woodland. The court found that the petitioner had failed to apprise the Napa County Board of Supervisors of the carbon sequestration issue. The court also addressed the merits of the argument, noting that the petitioner did not cite authority requiring “mathematical calculations concerning carbon sequestration mitigation.” The court further concluded that the EIR contained “ample discussion” of greenhouse gas issues actually raised by the petitioner, and that “appropriate mitigation measures” were required.