SU0004149 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

V Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Endangered Species Act. Mitigation for impacts r � to potential kit fox habitat presented in the HCP will include acquiring and preserving �•.! suitable habitat off-site. The mitigation preserve acreage will be protected in t perpetuity via a conservation easement or Fee Title transfer of property ownership Potential mitigation requirements were discussed with the USFWS (S. Larsen) at the Sacramento Field Office on February 25, 1997. During this meeting it was determined that impacts to San Joaquin kit fox will be mitigated at a 1.1:1 ratio for the total area comprising a 300-foot wide band extending inward from the outside perimeter on the east and south sides of the project site. Mitigation will not be required for the north and west sides of the perimeter, which are adjacent to orchards and not expected to provide kit fox habitat. This mitigation is consistent with a kit fox mitigation plan developed by a proponent (Teichert and Son in 1994) for a proposed sand and aggregate facility in the vicinity of the project site. -Their mitigation was extensively reviewed by the USFWS and CDFG in 1994 (MBA, j 1995). Based on the established mitigation ratio, it will be necessary to provide a }� mitigation parcel of 34.85 acres to mitigate impacts to kit fox. Mitigation Measure 4.7-2b Alternatives 1 2 and 3) , 0 The proponent shall include in the HCP measures to avoid direct loss of the San Joaquin kit fox. These measures will be consistent with the draft USFWS Standardized Recommendations For Protection of the San Joaguin Kit Fox Prior to or Durina Ground Disturbance (USFWS, 1997). Also included in the Biological Assessment will be measures to minimize the potential for secondary poisoning of kit fox by project and post-reclamation operations. Such measures which will include restricting the use of rodenticides and/or only using zinc phosphide, which has a lower risk of causing secondary poisoning, to control rodent populations. Level of Significance After Mitigation: Implementation of Mitigation Measures 4.7-2a and 4.7-2b would reduce impacts to the San Joaquin kit fox to a less-than-significant level. Impact 4.7-3 Potential Impacts to Swainson's Hawk All uar Excavation Alternatives 1 2 and 3 Swainson's hawks are not expected to forage on the project site because no known nest are present within 5 miles, and because the project site is not considered important foraging habitat for the species. This conclusion is corroborated by D. Gifford of the CDFG who is familiar with the project site. During a phone conversation on March 4, 1997, Mr. Gifford stated that the project site is not important foraging habitat for the Swainson's hawk and that implementation of the proposed mining and reclamation plans would not impact this species. This is a less-than-significant impact. Draft Environmental Impact Report 4-103 ER-96-3