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Sequoia Ecological Consulting, Inc. CalVTP Project-Specific Analysis and Addendum Augustin Bernal Community Park Fuel Reduction November 2025 4-3 4.1.1. Discussion 4.1.1.1. Impact AES-1 The Project would involve prescribed (broadcast) burning, mechanical treatment, manual treatment, prescribed herbivory, and application of herbicides. The potential for these treatment activities to result in short-term degradation of visual character was examined in the PEIR and found to be less than significant. Portions of the treatment area would be visible from the southbound lanes of I-680, an officially designated state scenic highway, as well as the northbound lanes of I-680, an eligible state scenic highway (California Department of Transportation 2019). Pursuant to the City’s General Plan, a scenic highway designation protects the scenic values of an area, as well as providing passive recreational opportunities to view the associated scenic vistas (City of Pleasanton 2009, page 7-24). According to the Caltrans California Scenic Highway Map, the project site is located approximately 1.3 miles southwest of the nearest point of both the southbound and northbound lanes of I-680 and SR 24 (which run in parallel along this segment of both highways). Augustin Bernal Park is identified in the City’s 2022 Housing Element Draft PEIR as part of a series of public and private open space, parks, and greenways that further distinguish the visual character of the City. Additionally, the City’s General Plan further identifies the Pleasanton Ridgelands (which includes the project area) as areas of special visual interest that include approximately 13,000 acres and are generally bounded I-580 to the north, the 670-foot elevation near Foothill Road to the east, Niles Canyon Road to the south, and Palomares Road to the west (City of Pleasanton 2022, page 3.1-4). Although in the short term after treatment, the absence of treated vegetation could be noticeable, mature vegetation would remain to provide partial screening of treatment areas. However, equipment, crews, and smoke from prescribed burning could be visible from public viewpoints, including locally designated scenic vistas, and an eligible and officially designated state scenic highway (I-680) in the short term. Consistent with the PEIR, the presence of large equipment could contrast with the natural environment where publicly visible, such as adjacent to a public trail or roadway. However, treatment and its visibility would be temporary and would not dominate a view or block any views from scenic vistas or state scenic highways. It is important to note that portions of the project treatment area would be shielded by a ridgeline that would largely block public views from I-680 towards those portions of the treatment area. Smoke from prescribed burning could also be visible from public viewpoints/scenic vistas and I-680. These activities also would not substantially degrade the existing visual character or quality of an area, given that the treatment activities would be limited in geographic extent. The potential for the Project to result in short-term substantial degradation of the visual character of the project area within the treatable landscape (69.5 acres) is within the scope of the PEIR because the proposed treatment activities and types