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Biological Resources Evaluation Report Griffith Energy Project • CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Project site is within the planning area for both the San Joaquin County Multi-Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan (SJMSCP) and East Alameda County Conservation Strategy (EACCS). The SJMSCP plan area covers all of San Joaquin County except for federally owned lands. A majority(approximately 90%)of the Project site is within the SJMSCP plan area along the western boundary of San Joaquin County. The current Project site plans avoid Alameda County with the exception of the gen- tle line and access road. The eastern boundary of the EACCS plan area follows the Alameda County line. A small portion (approximately 10%) of the Project site is within the EACCS plan area along the eastern boundary of Alameda County. Additional coordination with the agencies (e.g., CDFW, San Joaquin and Alameda Counties)is recommended to determine if both the SJMSCP and EACCS apply to the Project site or if only one would be used. The SJMSCP(San Joaquin County 2000)and EACCS(ICF International 2010)provide measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts on special-status species and sensitive habitats. Both of these plans have been finalized. Projects with anticipated impacts to special-status species that are within San Joaquin County are eligible for incidental take coverage under the SJMSCP and would not require incidental take permits for SJMSCP Covered Species. Conversely, the EACCS is a regional conservation strategy that only provides guidelines and recommended avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures for focal species and habitats. The EACCS does not provide incidental take permits for special-status species, as is the case in a Habitat Conservation Plan such as the SJMSCP, but rather serves as guidance for project- level permits.Therefore,work within Alameda County would still require project-level incidental take permits if impacts to special-status species are anticipated. Recommendations from the SJMSCP and EACCS have been incorporated into Section 6.1. All recommendations within this report are preliminary and will be refined during the CEQA process as more details about the Project design and schedule are determined. 6.1 Additional Survey Recommendations 6.1.1 Rare Plants Two rare plants have the potential to occur on the Project site. Therefore, rare plant surveys are recommended within the Project site. To capture the blooming period for all potential rare plants that could occur, two rare plant surveys are recommended. The first rare plant survey should be conducted in March to April and the second in July to November.The following rare plant species with medium or high potential to occur will be surveyed for during each rare plant survey: • First Rare Plant Survey (March to April): caper-fruited tropidocarpum (Tropidocarpum capparideum). • Second Rare Plant Survey(July to November): big tarplant(Blepharizonia plumosa). 6.1.2 California Tiger Salamander The Project is not within Critical Habitat of CTS or within 5 miles of an area designated as Critical Habitat (USFWS ECOS 2021). Project applicants have the following two options for CTS (ICF International 2010): 1. Assume CTS presence and mitigate. Mitigation would likely entail habitat enhancement/conservation easement on a protected property since there are no agency-approved mitigation banks in the area. Tetra Tech, Inc 6-1 July 2023