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• To prevent inadvertent trapping of kit fox, all excavated holes or trenches more than 2-feet deep should be covered at the close of each working day, or escape ramps constructed of earth fill or wooden planks. Before holes or trenches are filled, they should be inspected for trapped animals. • All construction pipes, culverts, or similar structures with a diameter of 4- inches or greater that are stored at the project site should be thoroughly inspected for kit fox before used or moved in any way. • All food-related trash items should be disposed of in closed containers and removed at least once a week from the project site. • No firearms shall be allowed on the project site. • No pets shall be permitted on the project site. • A representative shall be appointed by the project proponent who will be the contact source for any employee or contractor who might inadvertently kill or injure a kit fox or who finds a dead, injured, or trapped individual.Any project personnel who inadvertently kills or injures a kit fox shall immediately report the incident to their representative. In the case of trapped animals, escape ramps or structures should be installed immediately. • The Sacramento U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game will be notified in writing within three working days of the accidental death or injury to a kit fox during project related activities. If the proposed action changes in any manner that may affect kit fox, or if occupied dens are encountered,further consultation with the USFWS will be necessary. In addition, the USFWS requests that they be informed, in writing, of the survey results within five days of the survey. Conclusion: Project activities are expected to have a less than significant impact on kit fox because of the incorporated protection measures. Project activities are expected to result in increased habitat value and long term beneficial impacts for the kit fox population. • Western Burrowing Owl.The burrowing owl (Speoryto cunicularia) is a federal Species of Concern and a Species of Special Concern to California because of declines of suitable habitat and population declines. The burrowing owl is a migratory species protected by international treaty under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act(MBTA) of 1918. The MBTA makes it unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, purchase, or barter any migratory bird including feathers or other parts, nests, eggs, or products. In addition, the California Department of Fish and Game Code prohibits the take, possession, or destruction of birds, their nests, or eggs. Burrowing owl habitat can be found in annual and perennial grasslands, deserts, and and scrublands characterized by low-growing vegetation. Existing burrows that provide shelter and nests are the essential component of burrowing owl habitat. Both natural and artificial burrows are used by burrowing owls.They typically use burrows made by fossorial mammals, such as ground squirrels or badgers, but also may use man-made structures such as cement culverts, cement, asphalt or wood debris piles, or openings beneath cement or asphalt pavement(CDFG 1995). Burrowing owls may use a site for breeding, wintering, foraging and/or migration stopovers. Nesting season is considered to begin February 1 and end August 31. 17