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Biological Resources Evaluation Report <br /> Griffith Energy Project <br /> METHODS4 FIELD SURVEY <br /> A general biological survey was conducted on January 11 and 12, 2022. The field survey was conducted <br /> during daylight hours and not during abnormal or excessive cold, heat, wind, rain, or other inclement <br /> weather.The survey was conducted on foot and by vehicle.An Eos Arrow 100 sub-meter Global Positioning <br /> System (GPS) unit and a paired tablet running the ArcGIS Field Maps application were used to collect <br /> location and attribute data of features or species encountered. Photographs that were taken are provided <br /> in Appendix A. <br /> 4.1 Inventory of Plants and Wildlife <br /> The BSA was surveyed for special-status plant species and their habitats. Signs of wildlife, such as tracks, <br /> burrows, dens, nests, nest sites, scat, or remains were also surveyed for. Wildlife species encountered <br /> visually or audibly during the survey and wildlife sign were identified and recorded. <br /> 4.2 Vegetation Mapping <br /> Vegetation communities were mapped in accordance with the Manual of California Vegetation, Second <br /> Edition(Sawyer et al.2009).Vegetation was mapped to the alliance level,which is defined by plant species <br /> composition and identified by the most dominant tree, shrub, or herb in the vegetation community. <br /> 4.3 Jurisdictional Wetland Delineation <br /> A jurisdictional delineation was performed within the Project site. The delineation was conducted at any <br /> potential jurisdictional wetlands and Waters of the U.S. and State, and areas potentially under CDFW <br /> jurisdiction. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has developed standard methods and data <br /> reporting forms contained in the Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineering Wetland <br /> Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (USACE 2008), a supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland <br /> Delineation Manual(Environmental Laboratory 1987), to determine the presence or absence of wetlands <br /> and Waters of the U.S. The USACE methodology was used to identify wetlands and Waters of the U.S. in <br /> the Project site that are potentially subject to regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This <br /> delineation methodology was also used to evaluate potential Waters of the State under Regional Water <br /> Quality Control Board (RWQCB)jurisdiction. "Waters of the State" are defined by the Porter-Cologne Act <br /> as "any surface water or groundwater, including saline waters, within the boundaries of the state" (State <br /> Water Resources Control Board [SWRCB]2019).These may include intermittent or ephemeral waters.The <br /> SWRCB and each RWQCB regulate activities in Waters of the State which include Waters of the U.S.Areas <br /> of CDFW jurisdiction were determined by the presence of a defined bed, bank, and channel, or presence <br /> of a lake or pool, and were measured to the top of bank or the edge of riparian vegetation. <br /> Sample points were taken to determine areas of potential jurisdiction and were mapped in the field using a <br /> GPS receiver with sub-meter accuracy. Field indicators were examined, and wetland data reporting forms <br /> were used to record three parameters: hydrophytic vegetation,wetland hydrology, and hydric soils. Sample <br /> points were collected for each potential jurisdictional feature when a change in any of the three wetland <br /> parameters occurred. Sample points were also collected within the feature and in associated upland to <br /> compare these areas and determine the extent of the feature. Photographs taken during the field survey <br /> are provided in Appendix A. Completed wetland data forms are provided in Appendix B. <br /> Tetra Tech, Inc. 4-1 July 2023 <br />