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3.8 Cultural Resources

Criteria for designation, including significance and access and provision for maintenance, shall be as
specified in state law, including the California Public Resources Code, or in regulations and
interpretations of the State Historical Resources Commission.

THRESHOLDS OF SIGNIFICANCE

The State CEQA Guidelines identifies certain criteria for determining whether any significant cultural
resources will result with the implementation of the County’s Santa Clarita Valley Area Plan:

 The Area Plan will cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as
defined in Section 15064.5;

 The Area Plan will cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archeological resource
pursuant to Section 15064.5;

 The Area Plan will directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique
geologic feature;

 The Area Plan will disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal
cemeteries.

IMPACT ANALYSIS

This impact analysis section evaluates the potential effects of the proposed Area Plan policies on cultural
resources within the County’s Planning Area using the State CEQA Guidelines thresholds of significance.

Impact 3.8-1: The Area Plan will cause a potentially substantial adverse change in the
significance of a historical resource as defined in Section 15064.5.

As defined by CEQA Section 15064.5(b), "substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical
resource means physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource or its immediate
surroundings such that the significance of an historical resource would be materially impaired." In order

to create such a substantial adverse change, the resource must first possess historical significance.
Secondly, the resource must meet the time and integrity criteria to be eligible for listing in the CRHR.
Fifty years is used as a general estimate of the time needed to develop this perspective and permit a
legitimate understanding of the resource's significance. A resource less than 50 years old may be

considered for listing in the California Register if it can be demonstrated that sufficient time has passed to
understand its historical importance.

Impact Sciences, Inc. 3.8-14 One Valley One Vision Revised Draft Program EIR
0112.023 County of Los Angeles Area Plan
November 2010