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Biological Resources Evaluation Report Griffith Energy Project Table 4 describes potential CTS breeding habitat within 1.24 miles of the Project site. Table 4. California Tiger Salamander Potential Breeding Pools Pool Pool Location Survey Results Number This potential breeding pool was identified in the field. It held Approximately 1 mile southwest approximately 2 feet of standing water at its deepest point 1 from the Project site, 30 feet east (Photo 10,Appendix A). The pool had emergent vegetation and of Patterson Pass Road is potentially used by grazing cattle.This was determined to be a potential breeding pool. Approximately 1.2 miles This potential breeding pool was identified on aerial imagery.At 2 southwest from the Project site, the time of survey, this pool could not be accessed because it is south of the Union Pacific Railroad located on private land. Approximately 1.2 miles southeast This potential breeding pool is part of the San Joaquin County 3 from the Project site, south of the ponds spatial database(San Joaquin County Community Union Pacific Railroad Development Department 2022).At the time of survey, this pool could not be accessed because it is on private land. Approximately 1.2 miles east from This feature is from the NWI database(USFWS 2021).At the 4 the Project site, south of the Union time of survey,this pool could not be accessed because it is on Pacific Railroad private land. This feature is from the NHD database(USGS 2021). This pool Approximately 0.9 miles east from had 100 percent cover by bulrush (Scripus sp.)and held no 5 the Project site, adjacent to Van surface water at the time of survey. This feature is unlikely to Nicolo Road provide breeding habitat for CTS since it is not preferred vernal pool habitat and supports dense bulrush that would likely inhibit its use by CTS. This feature is from the NWI spatial database(USFWS 2021). Approximately 1 mile east from There was no standing water present during the survey despite 6 the Project site, between Highway recent rains that had inundated other ponded features near the 580 and Van Nicolo Road Project site.This feature is a wash and is unlikely to support pooling water. This feature is nota potential breeding pool. This feature is from the NWI database(USFWS 2021). There Approximately 1 mile east from was no standing water present during the survey despite recent 7 the Project site, between Highway rains that had inundated other ponded features near the Project 580 and Van Nicolo Road site.This feature is a wash and is unlikely to support pooling water. This feature is nota potential breeding pool. Approximately 1 mile northeast of This feature is from the NWI database(USFWS 2021).Although 8 the Project site, between Highway this site may have supported a pool in the past, it is now a highly 580 and the California Aqueduct disturbed road right-of-way area and is unvegetated. This feature is not a potential breeding pool. This feature is from the NWI database(USFWS 2021). There Approximately 1 mile north of the was no standing water present during the survey despite recent 9 Project site, adjacent to Highway rains that had inundated other ponded features near the Project 580 site.This feature is a wash and is unlikely to support pooling water. This feature is nota potential breeding pool. Two types of potential CTS barriers were identified within the 1.24-mile assessment radius: high-density development and steep slopes without passages. A previous study conducted by USGS indicates that migrating CTS can only successfully cross through a physical barrier if there are passages at least every 40 meters along the barrier(Brehme et al. 2021). Slopes greater than 14 degrees are considered barriers to CTS movement(Pittman 2005); the only exception would be if passages are present. Cattle fencing and most paved roads are not considered barriers to upland dispersal (USFWS 2003). Table 5 describes specific barriers and the pools that would be affected. Tetra Tech, Inc. 5-10 July 2023