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incubation; or 2) that juveniles from the occupied burrows are foraging <br /> independently and are capable of independent survival.-Refer to Mitigation Measure <br /> 4.2-1(B)for a discussion on pre-activity surveys. <br /> b) The proposed Project is in a highly disturbed area. Burrowing owls have been <br /> observed in this area in close proximity to and within existing facilities and disturbed <br /> areas. Therefore, if active burrowing owl burrows are observed, during the annual <br /> biological surveys, or at other times during site operations by site personnel (refer to <br /> mitigation measure 4.2-1(F), they should be avoided as follows: a) during nesting <br /> season (February 1 through August 31), burrows should be avoided by up to 250 <br /> feet, taking into consideration the distance to the closest existing disturbance or <br /> facility (e.g. roads); and, b) outside of nesting season, burrows should be avoided by <br /> up to 160 feet, taking into consideration the distance to the closest existing <br /> disturbance or facility. No new disturbance should occur within 160 feet of occupied <br /> burrows during the non-breeding season of September 1 through January 31 or <br /> within 250 feet during the breeding season of February 1 through August 31. Due to <br /> the highly disturbed nature of the permit area and the areas adjacent to owl burrows, <br /> additional preservation of foraging habitat is not recommended. <br /> c) When destruction of occupied burrows is unavoidable, existing unsuitable(not of the <br /> correct size or shape for owl utilization) burrows within H. M. Holloway land <br /> holdings but outside of and protected from landfilling activities should be enhanced <br /> (enlarged or cleared of debris) or new burrows created (by installing artificial <br /> burrows) at a ratio of 2:1 in adjacent suitable habitat that is contiguous with the <br /> foraging habitat of the affected owls. Artificial burrows should follow CDFG <br /> recommended design or be approved by CDFG if an alternative design is used. <br /> Burrow enhancement or creation should be conducted in adjacent habitat outside of <br /> disposal areas controlled by H. M. Holloway and should be in areas that can be <br /> protected from surface-disturbing activities by a minimum of 6.5 acres per burrow. <br /> If owls must be moved away from the disturbance area, passive relocation [as <br /> described in CDFG's"Staff Report on Burrowing Owl Mitigation"(1995)] should be <br /> implemented. A time period of at least one week is recommended to allow the owls <br /> to move and acclimate to alternate burrows. Relocation of owls should only be <br /> implemented during the non-breeding season. <br /> d) Artificial burrows should be monitored for use during the annual surveys described <br /> in Mitigation Measure 4.2-1. <br /> Potential Significant Effect <br /> Without appropriate mitigation, the project has the potential to impact Special-Status/Other Species as a <br /> result of encounters during daily operation activities. <br /> Description of Specific Impact <br /> Blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia Bila) <br /> CDFG protocol-level surveys are not required for the pits and adjacent disturbed areas within the permit <br /> area due to the lack of native, or unmodified habitat present. Given the extremely disturbed nature of <br /> these areas, frequency of disturbance, and low density of small mammal burrows present, it is unlikely <br /> Findings of Fact—Section 15091 March 15,2016 <br /> H.M.Holloway Landfill Modification Project Final Board of Supervisors <br /> 23 <br />