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4.2 – Biological Resources Draft Environmental Impact Report February 2021 14800 W. Schulte Road Logistics Center 4.2-3 Special-Status Wildlife Species For the purposes of this analysis, special-status wildlife species are those that are designated as either rare, threatened, or endangered (or candidates for designation) by CDFW or USFWS; are protected under either the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) or federal Endangered Species Act (FESA); meet the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) definition for endangered, rare, or threatened (14 CCR 15380[b],[d]); are considered fully protected under CFGC Sections 3511, 4700, 5050, and 5515; or are on the CDFW Special Animals List (CDFW 2020b) and determined by CDFW to be a Species of Special Concern. Results of the CNDDB and USFWS searches revealed 42 special -status wildlife species as having a potential to occur in the Project region. Of these special-status wildlife, 41 species were removed from consideration due to lack of suitable habitat within or adjacent to the Project site, the level of disturbance from frequent human activity surrounding the Project site, or due to the Project site being outside of the species’ known range (see Appendix C). Burrowing owls have a potential to occur in or adjacent to the Project site and are discussed further below. No special-status wildlife species, apart from native and migratory birds, were detected during the October 2020 field survey. Burrowing Owl Burrowing owl is a CDFW Species of Special Concern with a low potential to occur on the Project site. In California, burrowing owls are yearlong residents of open, dry grassland and desert habitats, and in grass, forb, and open shrub stages of pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine habitats (CDFW 2020c). Preferred habitat is generally typified by short, sparse vegetation with few shrubs, level to gentle topography, and well-drained soils (Haug et al. 1993). Burrowing owls may occur in human-altered landscapes, such as agricultural areas, ruderal grassy fields, vacant lots, and pastures, if the vegetation structure is suitable (i.e., open and sparse); useable burrows are available; and foraging habitat occurs in close proximity (Gervais et al. 2008). The presence of burrows is the most essential component of burrowing owl habitat, and burrows are used for nesting, roosting, cover, and caching prey. Because burrowing owls do not typically dig their own burrows, they primarily select their habitat based on the presence of burrowing animals, such as prairie dogs, ground squirrels, badgers, marmots, coyotes, and tortoises (Haug et al. 1993). In California, burrowing owls most commonly live in burrows created by California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi). Burrowing owl has a low potential to occur on the Project site. Although the disturbed open habitat with sparse, low vegetation on the Project site would be potentially suitable for burrowing owls, no suitable burrows were identified on site. Small mammal burrows identified on site during the field survey appeared inactive (i.e., had cobwebs covering the burrow opening or were collapsed). Additionally, there was a lack of small mammal activity on the Project site. The nearest documented occurrence of burrowing owl is located approximately 0.3 miles southwest of the Project site in grassland habitat. In 1992 burrowing owls were excluded from that site and are considered extirpated (CDFW 2020a). The next nearest documented occurrence is from 2005 and consisted of multiple owls observed approximately 1 mile east of the Project site (CDFW 2020a).