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4.2 – Biological Resources Draft Environmental Impact Report February 2021 14800 W. Schulte Road Logistics Center 4.2-2 Artificially constructed basins present on the site are remnants of biomass plant processes and are not jurisdictional aquatic resources. Areas on the site that were intended to hold water, such as the remnant retention basin near the northeast corner of the site, no longer have a water source because of the termination of biomass plant activities on the site and demolition of the biomass plant (NETROnline 2020). These basin features are no longer supplied by process water or other biomass plant discharge, and thus evaporate. Rainfall may supply water to these areas for short periods of time, but a regular amount of rainfall would not support significant ponding to qualify these remnant basins as wetlands or other jurisdictional waters. Basins on site are dominated by upland plant species. The Project site is located in the Old River watershed (Hydrologic Unit Code 1804000306) within the larger San Joaquin Delta (CDFW 2020a). There are three retention basins mapped as freshwater ponds within the property south of the Project site. The closest of these basins is approximately 0.03 miles south of the Project site, and these are the nearest mapped waters to the Project site (USFWS 2020b). The Delta Mendota Canal passes within 0.5 miles south of the site, and an unnamed channel mapped as riverine habitat flows approximately 0.25 miles northeast of the site (USFWS 2020b). Soils According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA 2020a), one soil type is mapped on the Project site: Capay clay, 0% to 1% slopes, MLRA 17. The Capay series is typically found on basin or valley floors and consist of very deep, moderately well or sometimes poorly drained soils formed from clay alluvium that is derived from sedimentary rock such as sandstone or shale. The soil type mapped on the Project site is considered a hydric soil, which is commonly associated with wetlands (USDA 2020b). However, no aquatic resources or areas dominated by hydrophytic vegetation1 were identified on the Project site during the site visit. The extensive historic site disturbance, including grading and soil compaction, have likely altered the hydric characteristics of this soil type. Wildlife Resources Seven common wildlife species were observed on the Project site during the field survey conducted by a Dudek biologist in October 2020. These observations include six bird species (American crow [Corvus brachyrhynchos], black phoebe [Sayornis nigricans], house sparrow [Passer domesticus; non-native], killdeer [Charadrius vociferus], mourning dove [Zenaida macroura], and western meadowlark [Sturnella neglecta]) and one mammal species (black-tailed jackrabbit [Lepus californicus]). Shrubs, bare ground, abandoned equipment, and built structures in or adjacent to the Project site and surrounding areas provide suitable nesting habitat for several local and migratory bird species. Native birds of prey are protected by California Fish and Game Code (CFGC) Section 3503.5, and migratory bird species are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The disturbed nature of the site and lack of trees and native vegetation limit suitability for nesting to primarily common bird species, including killdeer, mourning dove, and other bird species with the potential to nest on disturbed sites. Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) is a special-status species with low potential to occur on the Project site and is discussed further below. The Project site lacks aquatic resources that would be suitable for special-status fish or aquatic invertebrate species; therefore, no such species are expected to occur. 1 Vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.