SU0011430 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

effects would also be developed. This could include measures such as enhancement of existing habitat and creation of additional habitat. Swainson's Hawk • If project construction begins during the Swainson's Hawk nesting season, as defined by DFG(March 1 to September 15), pre-construction surveys shall be conducted in areas of suitable nesting habitat within 0.5 mile of project activity. Surveys shall be conducted by a qualified biologist within the 2 weeks before construction or tree removal begins. If no active nests are found, no further mitigation shall be required. If active nests are found, impacts shall be avoided by establishment of appropriate buffers. No project activity shall commence within the buffer area until a qualified biologist confirms that the nest is no longer active. DFG guidelines recommend implementation of 0.25-or 0.5-mile buffers, but the size of the buffer may be adjusted if a qualified biologist and DFG determine it would not be likely to adversely affect the nest. Monitoring of the nest by a qualified biologist may be required if the activity has potential to adversely affect the nest. Burrowing Owl Before project activity,focused surveys for burrowing owls shall be conducted by a qualified biologist in areas of suitable habitat on and within 250 feet of the project site. Surveys shall be conducted in accordance with DFG protocols (DFG 1995). • If no�occupied burrows are found in the survey area, a letter report documenting survey methods and findings shall be submitted to DFG, and no further mitigation is necessary. • If an occupied burrow with an active nest is found, impacts shall be minimized by establishing a 250-foot buffer area around the burrow. No project activity shall occur within the buffer area until a qualified biologist confirms that the nest is no longer active. The size of the buffer area may be adjusted if a qualified biologist and DFG determine it would not be likely to adversely affect the nesting pair. DFG shall also be consulted to determine if it is necessary to temporarily preserve foraging habitat(in addition to the buffer area)until the nest is no longer active. If feasible, 250-foot buffer areas shall also be established around all other occupied burrows. If this is not feasible, DFG shall be consulted to determine whether smaller buffer areas and/or relocation of owls is necessary. Relocation may include passive techniques, such as use of one-way doors to encourage owls to move to alternative burrows outside the impact area, or capture and movement of owls to specific mitigation sites. Other Nesting Raptors • If project construction begins during the raptor nesting season (February 15 to August 31), pre-construction surveys shall be conducted by a qualified biologist in areas of suitable nesting habitat within 500 feet of project activity. Surveys shall be conducted within 2 weeks before the beginning of construction or tree removal. If no active nests are found, no further mitigation shall be required. • If active nests are found, impacts shall be avoided by establishment of appropriate buffers. No project activity shall commence within the buffer area until a qualified biologist confirms that the nest is no longer active. DFG guidelines recommend implementation of 500-foot buffers, but the size of the buffer may be adjusted if a qualified biologist and DFG determine it would not be likely to adversely affect the nest. Monitoring of the nest by a qualified biologist may be required if the activity has potential adversely affect the nest. San Joaquin Kit Fox • To minimize the potential for destruction of an occupied burrow and direct take of a kit fox, a pre-construction survey for active and potential kit fox dens shall be conducted by a qualified biologist no more than 30 days and no less than 14 days before the beginning of ground disturbance or construction activity. The survey shall include all undeveloped areas in and within 100 feet of development and staging areas. Potential dens shall be monitored to determine if they are active, in accordance with methods presented in the 13