Complex sentence: The Laguna Canyon Project evolved in part in response to the (above) housing construction plans; it also had profound influence on Laguna residents'understanding of the canyon's ecological importance, the ongoing environmental debates and decision making by community leaders.
Split into simpler sentences: The Laguna Canyon Project evolved in part in response to the proposed housing construction plans. It also had profound influence: on Laguna residents'understanding of the canyon's ecological importance; the ongoing environmental debates; and decision-making by community leaders.