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Biological Resources Evaluation Report <br /> Griffith Energy Project <br /> 3 LITERATURE REVIEW <br /> This section describes the study methods (literature review) used for evaluating the biological resources <br /> within the BSA and Project vicinity. A Critical Issues Analysis (CIA) was initially prepared for this Project <br /> (Tetra Tech 2021). The information in the CIA has been incorporated into the sections below as applicable. <br /> 3.1 Topography <br /> Methods <br /> The USGS 7.5-Minute Topographic Map Midway Quadrangle as well as aerial imagery were reviewed. <br /> Topography describes the physical features of an area of land. The topographic features looked at include <br /> natural landforms, aquatic features, developed lands, agricultural lands, undeveloped lands, and terrain. <br /> Natural landforms are natural physical features on the surface of the land, such as mountains, hills, and <br /> canyons. <br /> Results <br /> Site topography consists of four gently sloping hills as well as flat terrain. The Project site is used for cattle <br /> grazing and the surrounding land uses consist of agriculture, open space, and developed land. The <br /> elevational range of the Project site is approximately 300 to 500 feet above mean sea level. <br /> 3.2 Sensitive Natural Communities <br /> Methods <br /> The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB) <br /> (CDFW 2021 a) was used to identify sensitive natural communities that exist within the USGS Midway <br /> Quadrangle and surrounding quadrangles. <br /> Results <br /> The CNDDB identified one sensitive natural community, valley sink scrub, documented 5 miles northwest <br /> from the Project site in 1987. This community is still intact according to the database (CDFW 2021 a). <br /> 3.3 Potential Jurisdictional Wetlands <br /> Methods <br /> The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory(NWI)database(USFWS 2021), <br /> the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) Web Soil <br /> Survey (USDA NRCS 2021), and USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) (USGS 2021) were <br /> accessed to determine which areas of the Project site could contain wetland features. <br /> Results <br /> The USFWS NWI database identified one potential riverine feature within the Project boundary (USFWS <br /> 2021). The NHD identified one potential body of water in the southeast corner of the Project site (USGS <br /> 2021). <br /> Tetra Tech, Inc. 3-1 July 2023 <br />