Notice of Public Meeting on December 2, 2009
on the proposed La Pata Gap Closure & Camino Del Rio Extension Project

On December 2, 2009 the County of Orange will host a public meeting to solicit community input on the scope of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed La Pata Gap Closure & Camino Del Rio Extension Project.

The meeting will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the San Clemente Community Center, 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente.

The meeting will give residents and interested parties an opportunity to raise any issues about potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project. The La Pata component of the project lies between Ortega Highway and Calle Saluda in San Clemente. The project also includes extending Camino del Rio from its current terminus to the proposed La Pata extension.

On November 10, 2009, the County released the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the La Pata Gap Closure project. The NOP requests comments from interested parties regarding the issues that should be studied in the forthcoming EIR. The EIR will analyze the proposed project that would widen existing La Pata Avenue from three to five lanes from about 2,700 feet south of Ortega Highway to the County's Prima Deshecha Landfill. The proposed project would also implement a gap closure by constructing four new lanes from the landfill south to Calle Saluda and Avenida La Pata in San Clemente. The project also includes extending Camino del Rio from where it ends to connect with the proposed La Pata extension.

The public will have until December 10, 2009 to comment on the NOP. After the 30-day comment period, technical studies and a draft EIR will be prepared and circulated for public review before a final EIR is certified.

For more information regarding the proposed project, visit: http://www.ocpublicworks.com/pcpw/projects/lapata.aspx

Information is also available by contacting Harry Persaud at
714 834.2694 or email at LaPataProject

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