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ENVIRONNll;NTAL QUALITY New residential development has many environmental effectsa It affects the land by covering areas useful for agricultural and grazing purposes and, in turn, may be affected by the land through seismic and landslide events; it increases runoff and decreases groundwater recharge but uses water resources and may be subject to flooding; it creates noise and air pollution by virtue of its vehicles and, in turn, affects its residents with unhealthy noise and air quality; it uses copious amounts of energy; it can create congestion; and it may disgust or delight the eyes of passersby. The quality of life in Pleasanton is largely the result of the fortuitous combination of an enviable physical setting and judicious development. Attractive residential neighborhoods are the result of care taken to preserve environmental quality in residential development. As Pleasanton grows larger, more and more care must be exercised to preserve the environmental quality in new as well as established neighborhoods. New growth may be forced onto less desirable sites for development since the better areas have been•taken,~increasing risks to health and safety. Simply adding people, vehicles, and resi- dences puts strains on maintaining a quiet community, a feeling of openness, healthy air and watero and the amenities of"small town." living. Appropriate controls on new residential development can allow the city to grow and still retain its environmental quality, Goal 8: To. protect and improve the: environmental quality of the planning area.- its air, surface and groundwaters, scenic views, vegetation„ wildlife, and soils. Goal 9: To protect residents from natural and manmade hazards. The Conservation and Open Space Element, Seismic Safety Element, Noise Element, and Environmental Element contain descriptions of Pleasanton's natural environment and natural processes, discussions of development`s effects on this environment and vice versa, and goals-and programs designed to enhance the environmental quality of Pleasanton. This section of the Growth Management Element will discuss those polir..ies which relate directly to new residential development. Air Quality - The Amador-Livermore Valley suffers from some of the worst oxidant air pollution in the Bay Area, a fact noted by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the state, regional agencies such as A.B.A.G. and B.A.A.P.C.D., and the city itself, In recognition of this fact and in an attempt to improve the 'air quality, the state and federal governments have limited the size of future sewerage facilities they are willing to fund, precipitating the adoption of the "E-Zero" growth rate adopted by Pleasanton. .Even at this slow rate of grocath, however, it is unlikely that the air quality - which should improve - will meet the federal air quality standards for oxidant at any time in this century. The solution to the air quality problem is dependent upon technological improvement (especially in vehicle emissions) and air basin-wide planning - matters largely be- yond Pleasanton's immediate control. However, Pleasanton's voice should be heard on air quality matters which directly affect the health of Pleasanton's .residents. -18-