Alameda-Tesla Property Classification and General Plan

Diabale Range Hills
Diabale Range Hills Sunset
Deer in Diabale Range Hills

ALAMEDA-TESLA CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL PLAN PROJECT

California State Parks is undertaking a phased effort to plan for approximately 3,100 acres of land, known as the Alameda-Tesla Propert as part of the California State Parks System. The project is anticipated to take three to five years to complete.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTICE OF PREPARATION of an Environmental Impact Report for the Alameda-Tesla Park Classification and General Plan Project

Date: January 15, 2025
To: State Clearinghouse, Responsible and Trustee Agencies, and Interested Individuals and Organizations
Subject: Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Alameda-Tesla Park Classification and General Plan Project
Lead Agency:  California Department of Parks and Recreation
Address: Contact: Katie Metraux, PO Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), as the lead agency, is preparing an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Alameda-Tesla Park Classification and General Plan Project (proposed project). State Parks has prepared this Notice of Preparation (NOP) pursuant to Section 15082 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines. This NOP informs agencies and the public that an EIR is being prepared to address potential environmental effects resulting from the approval and implementation of the Alameda-Tesla Park Classification and General Plan Project. Publication of this NOP provides an opportunity for public comment on the potential environmental effects to be addressed in the Alameda-Tesla Park Classification and General Plan Project EIR. Additional information about the Alameda-Tesla Park Classification and General Plan Project process is available at the project website: https://alamedateslaplan.com/eir/.

Due to the limits mandated by State law, your response must be sent at the earliest possible date but no later than the close of the 30-day NOP review period at 5:00 PM on Friday, February 14, 2025. If you submit comments on the scope of the EIR, you will automatically be added to the distribution list for future notices about the proposed project. Please include “Alameda-Tesla Park Classification and General Plan Project EIR" as the subject and submit comments via the mailing address listed above or email info@alamedateslaplan.com. Please note that all submitted correspondence and comments become part of the public record.

SCOPING MEETING
State Parks will hold a virtual scoping meeting at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, to provide additional information about the Alameda-Tesla Park Classification and General Plan Project and EIR process and give interested parties an opportunity to comment on the scope and potential environmental effects of the project to be analyzed in the EIR. The meeting   can   be   attended   remotely   via   the   Zoom   platform   at   the   following   link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87331319353?pwd=xKbpbKizbugKC5nOCTv112rbglbaep.1

Meeting ID: 873 3131 9353, Passcode: 303972.

Please use this link to access the full Notice of Preparation.

PARTICIPATE

We value your involvement. This project offers many opportunities for you to contribute to planning the future of the Alameda-Tesla property. Please visit our project webpage, Alameda-Tesla Plan, here for information on upcoming engagement opportunities, to learn more about the project, and to sign up to receive project updates.

PROJECT LOCATION

The Alameda-Tesla property is located in the Diablo Range, between the cities of Livermore and Tracy. It is adjacent to the Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area to the east and is surrounded by privately owned land along the remainder of its borders. The Diablo Range District Office manages the Alameda-Tesla Property.
ALAMEDA-TESLA CLASSIFICATION AND GENERAL PLAN PROJECT Location map image
 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

More than two decades ago, State Parks acquired the Alameda-Tesla Property with the intent of expanding the adjacent Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area. After challenges to this plan, in 2021, SB 155 (PRC sec. 5090.42) authorized planning work to determine the best use of the land. It specified that the property shall not be designated as a state vehicular recreation area or be considered for any future expansion of off-highway vehicle recreation.

The Alameda Tesla Classification and General Plan Project now underway includes work to classify and name the property as a new individual park within the State Parks system, followed by the development of a General Plan and environmental impact report for the new park. Together, these two planning efforts will determine the best use of the land and guide future management of the site. The project has two phases that are anticipated to take approximately three to five years to complete.

The project has two phases: 

  • Phase I: Park Classification – Conducting assessments of existing site conditions and recommending a park classification and name to the State Park and Recreation Commission for approval.
  • Phase II: General Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) – Developing the Alameda-Tesla General Plan, which will direct the long-range management, development, and operation of the site.

WHAT IS PARK CLASSIFICATION?

  • Classification helps determine the purpose of a park and the range of conservation, recreation, and management activities that are appropriate for the park. New parks can be classified as a State Recreation Area, State Park, Historical Unit, State Seashore, State Reserve, State Wilderness, or  Marine Managed Area as described in the California Public Resources Code, Division 5, Chapter 1, Article 1.7.

WHAT IS A GENERAL PLAN?

  • The General Plan defines the park’s primary purpose and establishes a management direction for the park’s future. By providing a clear purpose and vision, guidance on long and short-term goals, and guidelines, the general plan guides day-to-day decision-making and serves as the basis for developing focused feasibility and management plans, specific project plans, and other management actions necessary to implement the goals of the general plan.
  • The general plan is primarily a “goal-based,” as opposed to an “objective-based,” document. General plan goals and associated guidelines define an ultimate purpose and intention for park managers and system operators but stop short of defining a specific accomplishment and timeframe for accomplishing those goals. This level of specificity is developed in subsequent planning documents, such as management plans or specific project plans.
  • Development of the general plan includes a complete programmatic Environmental Impact Report, as the general plan is considered a project for the purposes of CEQA.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

Throughout both phases of the project, the public will have multiple opportunities to give input, including surveys, workshops, and public meetings.

  • Visit AlamedaTeslaPlan.com to learn more about the project.
  • Join the project mailing list for updates and outreach opportunities. (Link on the website)
  • Spread the word with your network by sharing the project website and Facebook page.

If you have any questions after visiting the website, please send them to info@AlamedaTeslaPlan.com