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at the Site which area already compacted and do not contain vegetation that <br /> would potentially attract ground nesting birds. <br /> • Existing grassy areas will be avoided to the fullest extent possible. In the event <br /> that a vehicle must travel off road to excavate existing burn areas, a qualified <br /> biologist will visually examine off road areas to ascertain the best route to burn <br /> areas. Once a route is determined, vehicles will remain on route and/or within <br /> excavated areas. <br /> • Occupied nests will be demarcated with an appropriate buffer zone by a qualified <br /> biologist and avoided completely until is has been determined by a qualified <br /> biologist that chicks have fledged and adults no longer occupy the nest(i.e. <br /> second brood). <br /> ® Grasshopper sparrow.The grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum; GS) <br /> is a federal Species of Concern and also protected under the MBTA. GS is an <br /> uncommon summer resident of California. It winters rarely in California (CDFG 2003). <br /> GS prefer dry, dense grasslands, especially with a variety of grasses and tall(orbs <br /> and scattered shrubs for perches. GS search for food on the ground; the diet of the <br /> GS mainly consists of insects. <br /> GS breed from early April to mid-July, with a peak in May and June. GS build nests of <br /> grasses and forbs in a slight depression in the ground, hidden at the base of an <br /> overhanging clump of grasses or forbs. GS are active during the day. <br /> Conservation Measures <br /> Document review indicates that the project site is within range of the GS. Based on <br /> observations, it appears that the Site could provide suitable habitat for the GS. The <br /> following measures to avoid impact to GS will be incorporated into the project <br /> because there is a moderate to high potential for GS to occur in the project site <br /> vicinity: <br /> • Vehicles moving around the project site, including trucks and excavators, will <br /> remain to the fullest extent possible on existing access roads. Several roads exist <br /> at the Site which area already compacted and do not contain vegetation that <br /> would potentially attract ground nesting birds. <br /> Existing grassy areas will be avoided to the fullest extent possible. In the event <br /> that a vehicle must travel off road to excavate existing burn areas, a qualified <br /> biologist will visually examine off road areas to ascertain the best route to burn <br /> areas. Once a route is determined, vehicles will remain on route and/or within <br /> excavated areas. <br /> Occupied nests will be demarcated with an appropriate buffer zone by a qualified <br /> biologist and avoided completely until is has been determined by a qualified <br /> biologist that chicks have fledged and adults no longer occupy the nest(i.e., <br /> second brood). <br /> • Short-eared Owl. The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus; SEC) is a federal Species of <br /> Concern and a California Species of Concern, and protected under the MBTA. SEO <br /> are a winter migrant in California and year-round residents in central to northeastern <br /> California (Sibley 2000). SEO prefer open areas with few trees and elevated sites for <br /> perches. SEO require dense vegetation for roosting and nesting such as annual or <br /> 22 <br />