SU0014674 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MOUNTAIN HOUSE NEIGHBORHOOD' 'PROJECT INITIAL STUDY Potentially Significant Potentially Unless Less Than Significant Mitigation Significant No Impact Incorporated Impact Impact e) Conflict with any local policies or ordinances protecting biological resources, such as a tree preservation policy or ordinance? f) Conflict with the provisions of an adopted Habitat Conservation Plan,Natural Community Conservation Plan or other approved local, regional, or state habitat conservation plan? Environmental ChecklistExplanations a) Have a substantial adverse effect, either directly or through habitat modifications, on any species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species in local or regional plans,policies, or regulations, or by the California Department of Fish and Game or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service? Development of the site and areas where off-site improvements are proposed would eliminate suitable habitat for several special-status species. Of particular concern is the loss of suitable foraging habitat for Swainson's hawk,burrowing owl,and other raptor species of concern. Detailed mitigation measures addressing the potential impacts of development on special-status species were incorporated into the 1993 and 1994 EMS,and were adopted as part of the Findings for Master Plan approval. Mitigation measures were also incorporated into the applicant's large-lot map approval for the project site in 1999. These measures included payment of fees for the County's SIMSCP, and are incorporated herein for clarification. The applicant would be eligible to participate in the SIMSCP to mitigate potential impacts on special-status species and biological resources in general. Until the SIMSCP is adopted,the applicant would be allowed to participate on an interim basis. The interim assessment is about$2,600 per acre of land converted to urban use. Monies are held in an account,and the applicant would be reimbursed for any excess payment once the SIMSCP is formally adopted and permanent fees established. Participation in the SIMSCP would address all potential take issues related to special-status species and compliance with the state and federal Endangered Species Acts. This assumes that Incidental Take Avoidance Measures defined in the SIMSCP are adhered to as conditions of approval. Alternatively,the applicant could implement the draft Mountain House Multi-Purpose Habitat Management Plan to address potential impacts on special-status species(Zentner and Zentner, 1994). If the applicant chooses to address possible take of special-status species through the Habitat Management Plan rather than participating in the SIMSCP,negotiations with the USFWS and CDFG would be required,and the applicant would need to secure any required incidental take permits pursuant to the state and federal Endangered Species Acts. These incidental take permits would have to be secured prior to initiation of any grading or development associated with the project. The Findings for the Master Plan concluded that the loss of potential kit fox foraging and dispersal habitat for San Joaquin kit fox is not significant under CEQA,and that no habitat replacement should be required. Kit fox is not addressed under the provisions of the SIMSCP or the Mountain House Multi-Purpose Habitat Management Plan. Pre-construction surveys should still be required within 30 days prior to grading and construction to ensure that there is no inadvertent take of kit fox,as recommended in the SSE. Recommendations made in the SSE included measures to discourage establishment of new nests by burrowing owl, Swainson's hawk, and other raptor species of concern. It is unclear whether these recommendations have been followed,but there remains a remote potential for establishment of new nests on the site. Due to the length of time since the surveys were performed as part of the SSE,preconstruction surveys should be ClJOBMCVNMAL 9=Yw1NAL1NM L=Y-PART7.00C(7/20/00) 109 V.L. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES